Yes, exposed hinges can be changed to hidden hinges in most instances. If the door is a standard size and the hinge locations are standard, then it should be relatively easy to switch out the exposed hinges for hidden hinges.
This can be done by removing the screws connecting the frame of the door to the hinge and taking off the exposed hinge. Then, the new hidden hinge can be measured, marked and drilled in to place with the appropriate sized screws.
If the door is a special size or the hinges are in nonstandard locations, then it may be more difficult to replace exposed hinges with hidden ones. It may require professional installation.
Can you put new hinges on old cabinets?
Yes, you can put new hinges on old cabinets. Depending on the type of cabinets you have, and the type of hinges you’re looking to replace them with, the process may be slightly different.
If your cabinets are made from solid wood, there is usually a pocket cutout in the back where the hinges are mounted. You’ll need to measure the size of the pocket cutout to ensure that the new hinges fit before attempting to install them.
If your cabinets are made from particleboard or MDF, you’ll need to locate and remove the old hinges, and then measure the size of the bore holes in the particleboard or MDF to ensure that the new hinges will fit.
If the size doesn’t match the bore holes, you may need to fill in the existing holes with wood filler and drill new holes.
Once you’ve determined the size of the bore holes, you’ll be able to install the new hinges on the back of the cabinet doors. Make sure to use the appropriate screws or bolts, and be sure to pre-drill any holes if needed, to prevent any damage to the cabinet doors.
What is an overlay hinge?
An overlay hinge is a type of hardware hinge that is used to join two pieces of cabinetry together. It is usually seen in kitchen cabinets or other furniture pieces. These hinges are designed to be invisible from the front, and to have one side that is concealed by an overlay door, or a piece of cabinetry that covers the hinge.
The overlay door conceals the other side of the hinge, giving it an aesthetic appeal. Once the door is opened, the hinges become visible with an 180-degree range of motion. Overlay hinges can be made of different materials, such as metal, plastic and even wood.
They are most commonly used in kitchen cabinets and furniture because they provide a smoother operation than traditional hinges, and they are more discreet when the doors are closed. With their sleek and modern design, overlay hinges are a great choice for those looking to modernize their home or office.
How do you fit a concealed hinge?
Fitting a concealed hinge (sometimes known as a ‘hidden’ or ‘European’ hinge) is a relatively straightforward process. The majority of concealed hinges are designed to fit a 35mm hole in a door or other piece of furniture.
To fit a concealed hinge, the first step is to measure the door thickness and width, then choose the correct hinge size for the door. This is important as if the hinge is too large, it will not fit correctly, and if it is too small, the door may sag.
Once the correct size has been chosen, mark out where the hinge needs to be drilled. This is easiest when done on the floor or workbench, taking into account the space available behind the door, then transfer the marking to the back of the door.
Make sure to use a pencil for this as you will be able to erase any mistakes as you go along.
Install the hinge template in the marked area, and use a drill according to the manufacturer’s specification to drill the hinge holes. Take care when drilling not to crack or chip the door surface. Remove any sharp edges and clean up any dust and debris.
Then, secure the hinge in the correct position, making sure that all screws are tight.
Finally, check to make sure that the door opens and closes freely and that the hinge is secure. If so, you have successfully installed a concealed hinge!
How do you adjust old cabinet doors that won’t close?
Adjusting old cabinet doors that won’t close is a fairly simple process. First, you will need to check that the hinges are correctly aligned and properly secured. You should also check to make sure none of the screws are loose.
If a hinge is loose or broken, it will need to be repaired or replaced before continuing. Once all the hinges are secure, you will need to align the door itself. If the screws at the top and bottom of the door are adjustable, you can use them to adjust the door’s height and width.
Next, adjust the hinges to the correct tension so that when the door is closed, it does not open on its own. If the hinges are not adjustable, you may need to use a piece of cardboard to make a shim to adjust the door.
Finally, if the door is still not closing properly, you may need to trim either the hinges or the door itself to make it fit more snugly when the door is closed.
What are the different types of cabinet door hinges?
There are a variety of different types of cabinet door hinges, each designed for specific purposes. The most commonly used type of hinge is the butt hinge, which is also known as a standard hinge. A butt hinge is typically made of two rectangular metal parts connected by a barrel or knuckle which allow the parts to rotate against each other.
These hinges are great for evenly distributing the weight of cabinet doors, but can be vulnerable to potential misalignment and sagging over time.
Another common type of hinge is the concealed hinge, also known as the European-style hinge. This type of hinge is almost completely hidden from view when the door is closed, as the two parts of the hinge are tucked away inside the cabinet itself.
They provide even more support than butt hinges and are more difficult to misalign due to their more intricate design.
Finally, there are both full-overlay and partial-overlay hinges. The full-overlay hinge is designed to allow the door to completely cover the cabinet frame, while the partial-overlay hinge leaves a small gap between the cabinet frame and the door.
This hinge is usually used in kitchen cabinets where you have multiple doors side-by-side, providing an area to overlap them to give access to all of the contents inside.
What are the easiest cabinet hinges to install?
The easiest cabinet hinges to install are full overlay, self-closing cabinet hinges. These hinges are designed to sit flush with the cabinet door and do not require any pre-drilling or extra hardware.
Additionally, they typically feature a nickel or chrome finish that helps them blend in with the cabinet doors, making them virtually unnoticeable. Additionally, most full overlay hinges come with instructions that clearly explain how to install them, making the process much easier.
Finally, the self-closing feature ensures the door will close properly when it is closed.
What is the difference between overlay and inset hinges?
Overlay hinges and inset hinges are both types of door hinges that are used on cabinets and other furniture applications, and they have a few distinct differences. Overlay hinges are designed to attach the door to the face of the cabinet frame, meaning that the door can sit flush outside of the frame, creating an overlay effect.
Inset hinges, on the other hand, attach the door to the inside of the frame, allowing the door to be inset within the cabinet frame.
Another difference between overlay and inset hinges is the amount of clearance each hinge provides. With overlay hinges, there generally needs to be a three-eighth to one-half inch gap to ensure that the door can open and close properly.
Inset hinges, however, are designed for a much tighter fit, wherein the door can sit completely flush with the frame, with little to no clearance needed.
Finally, the materials used to make overlay and inset hinges differ from one another. Overlay hinges tend to be made from thicker materials with a lower gauge, such as steel, brass, or bronze, whereas inset hinges typically are made from thinner, higher gauge materials like stainless steel or aluminum.
Can you replace old cabinet hinges with soft close?
Yes, you can replace old cabinet hinges with soft close. Including the new “clip-on” style that does not require any drilling or screwing into the door, making installation much easier and faster. To install this type of soft close hinge, you simply need to slide it onto the existing hinge and clip it in place.
Many soft close hinges can also be adjusted to work with different types of cabinet doors. Additionally, regular hinges can also be upgraded with soft close kits, which provide an easy and affordable way to convert existing hinges into soft close.
What is a self closing cabinet hinge?
A self closing cabinet hinge is a specialized hinge that is designed to close a cabinet door without additional assistance. It is often used in areas that may be exposed to fluctuating temperatures, such as a kitchen or bathroom, where a standard wooden or metal hinge would not be able to handle the changes in humidity and temperature.
A self closing cabinet hinge is made from a durable metal, typically stainless steel, and is designed to provide enough tension to hold the door closed without the need for any additional hardware. It has two parts: the frame of the hinge, which mounts to the cabinet, and the arm of the hinge, which attaches to the cabinet door.
When the door is opened, the arm of the hinge is forced to bend slightly and a spring within the hinge helps to pull the arm back into its original shape, thus closing the door.