There are a surprising number of different cabinet hinge types to choose from when building cabinets and installing cabinet doors. Choosing the right hinge ensures smooth operation and complements your overall design.
Eagle Woodworking offers a selection of cabinet hardware to perfectly complement our cabinet doors and dovetail drawers. This guide covers the different types of cabinet hinges, how to choose the best option for your project, and why hinge selection matters.
There are a few different cabinet hinge categories to choose from when selecting cabinet hardware: concealed, exposed, and specialty. The type you choose will depend on how strong you need them to be and how you want the final cabinet to look.
Concealed hinges, also known as “European hinges” and “cup hinges,” are only visible when the cabinet door is open. When doors are closed, the hinges are hidden. These hinges create a sleek look and allow for easy adjustment with a screwdriver. They can also feature soft-close options to keep cabinet doors from slamming shut.
Semi-concealed hinges come in a few different styles, but the common theme is that you’ll be able to see part of the hinge when the cabinet door is closed. Wrap hinges, for instance, fall into the semi-concealed category because most of the hinge mechanism is hidden with only the pivot point visible.
Exposed hinges are mounted to the outside of the cabinet and are visible when the doors are closed. These can also be called surface-mounted hinges, and they are among the easiest to install.
For a sleek aesthetic, nothing beats concealed cabinet hinges. To install them, you’ll have to bore a hinge cup hole in the inside of the door for the cup-shaped part of the hinge. Then, when the door is shut, the two pieces of the hinge fit together, so the door sits flush with the cabinet.
This type of hinge works well for frameless and face frame cabinets. One thing to be aware of, however, is that they won’t be as sturdy when installed inside the cabinet for frameless designs. You’ll also have to choose the correct concealed hinge depending on the door position—full-overlay, partial-overlay, and inset—as well as the right one for a frameless or face-frame cabinet.
The cabinet door style will determine the type of cabinet hinge you need. Inset cabinet doors are flush with the frame or the cabinet box when closed. Overlay cabinet doors can be either full-overlay or partial-overlay and rest on top of the frame when the door is closed.
When you’re choosing your cabinet door style, you should consider the type of hinge that you’ll need as well. Inset hinges are trickier to install because the door has to be lined up perfectly to close properly. Overlay hinges are easier to install because there’s more forgiveness in how the doors lay when they’re closed.
Soft-close hinges use a small built-in damper that keeps the door from slamming shut. Instead, the hydraulics essentially catch the door and slow it down so that it comes to rest slowly and softly reducing wear and tear on the cabinets and doors.
Maintenance is fairly simple, and if you make it part of your cleaning routine, you can keep these hinges running smoothly. Every few months, wipe the hinges with a soft cloth and mild cleaner, like dish soap, to remove any dirt and debris. You can also apply a silicone-based lubricant to the moving parts, to keep them moving smoothly.
Exposed hinges are typically less expensive than concealed or specialty hinges. These basic designs work well for most cabinet doors, but they won’t come with the soft-close feature. Surface-mounted hinges are fully exposed on the exterior of the cabinet and can be simple or decorative.
Specialty hinges aren’t as common as exposed or concealed hinges, but they can be a great feature for projects with unique needs. Types of specialty hinges include:
With so many hinges out there, choosing one can feel overwhelming. But this decision can be simple if you know what to look for. Certain hinges, like concealed hinges, offer upgraded features like door adjustment and soft-close options. These are great for high-end projects and for cabinet doors that see a lot of use. In modern kitchens, concealed hinges are by far the most common choice.
Other types are better for certain applications. For instance, in a simple kitchen or bathroom, a semi-concealed hinge will be more affordable and still allow for easy cabinet use. You can also consider how to install cabinet hinges to decide how easy you want it to be.
While choosing the right cabinet door hinges can save you some headaches down the road, choosing the wrong one can lead to clearance and alignment issues. Incorrect measurements can lead to crooked doors. If the hinge isn’t strong enough to hold the door properly, it will strain the hinge itself. Clearance issues can damage the doors and nearby walls or objects.
Here are a few common issues and how to avoid them:
|
Hinge Type |
Best For |
|
Concealed |
Sleek aesthetics and integrated adjustability |
|
Exposed |
Easy installation and styles where an exposed hinge enhances the design |
|
Inset |
Inset cabinet doors |
|
Overlay |
Overlay cabinet doors |
|
Wrap |
Heavier doors that need a stable hinge |
|
Decorative |
Unique projects that benefit from added embellishments |
|
Soft-close |
High traffic areas to reduce noise and wear and tear on the cabinet |
Before you dive into the world of hinges, take a look at our cabinet door hinges guide to get you started thinking about the specifications, measurements, and dimensions that you need to consider before making your final choice.
While it is possible to choose the right hinges for your project on your own, consulting with Eagle Woodworking can make the process much smoother. We’re experts in our industry and can spend some time discussing your project, types of cabinets, hinge performance and aesthetic needs, and timeline.
Full-overlay hinges allow the cabinet door to fully cover the cabinet frame when the door is closed. Partial-overlay hinges position the door so that part of the frame is visible when the door is closed.
For standard hinges, you have to remove and reposition the screws holding the hinge or door. Concealed hinges, however, let you adjust the door in three directions--up-and-down, side-to-side, and in-and-out to precisely align them with the cabinet.
Yes, you can use concealed hinges on frameless cabinets. The main consideration when installing hinges on frameless cabinets is that they will be attached to the cabinet itself. Because most cabinets are made of MDF, this positioning won’t necessarily have the strength that installing the hinge on a hardwood frame provides in a face-frame cabinet.
Hinge finishes range from simple satin nickel or stainless steel to the more custom look of brass, oil rubbed bronze, black, or antique nickel. For even more customization, you can pick hinges that are primed, so you can paint them the color you want. Choosing the right finish can pull the entire cabinet design together and allow it to blend easily into the overall design.