The single biggest reason today’s windows and doors work the way they do is because of hinges. Although there are doors and windows made without hinges, hinges have been the pivotal step for the making of modern-day doors and windows. But what are hinges and how are they so revolutionary? Simple, yet essential, hinges are able to join two parts together while allowing both to rotate.
Hinges have leaves attached together with a pin going through both. There are multiple types of hinges including the pivot hinge. A pivot hinge for door is what is used at the top and bottom of a door. These hinges are different from the ones explained above as they allow the door to swing both ways instead of only one.
Types of Pivot Hinges
Offset
Pivot door hinges also come in different variations with the most common one being put on the face of a door being an offset pivot hinge. An offset pivot door mechanism is mainly used on single acting doors. This is because offset pivot hinges allow doors to swing full 180° since they have a pivot point offset from the face of the door – hence the name.
Centre Hung
A centre hung pivot hinge for door can be used on both a single and a double-acting door. When a centre hung pivot hinge is used on a double-acting door the edges of the door need to be cut with a radius edge that lets the door swing in both directions. The pivot point of doors with centre hung hinges needs to be in the centre of the door’s thickness.
Self Closing
Doors that require to swing both ways but also return to their closed position every time they are used have what are known as self-closing pivot door hinges. There are two types of these hinges called spring pivot and gravity pivot hinges. The former relies on a spring to keep the door closed at all times which allows you to adjust how fast and hard the door closes. The latter relies on gravity for the return of the door to its closed position which doesn’t let you do any adjustments but makes them sturdier since there is nothing that will get worn out or broken.
What to Look For in a Pivot Hinge
Material
A door hinge can be made from a variety of materials with the most common ones being bronze, brass, cast iron, stainless steel, copper, and pewter. The material of a door hinge will mainly be determined by the location of the door. If the hinge will be indoors then you can go for hinges made from cast iron or bronze. But if you need to put a door outside then you should go for stainless steel hinges.
Finish and Design
The durability and sturdiness of a pivot door mechanism may be determined by the material it’s made of, its looks are determined by the finish and design. There are multiple finishes you can get pivot hinges in such as oil rubbed bronze, black, brushed nickel, polished, antique brass and rust. Hinges may also feature ornate patterns carved into their leaves as well as knuckles too.
Door Height
The height of your door will determine the number of pivot hinges needed to support it. Typically a 1.5 m high door requires three hinges and a door taller than that will require even more. Of course, doors smaller than 1.5 meters may work with 2 hinges but there’s also the width of the door and thickness that you need to consider.
Door Width and Thickness
How wide and thick your door is will have a great impact on how big the hinges need to be. A thicker and wider door will require bigger hinges as opposed to a thinner and narrower one.
Other Types of Door Hinges
Mortise
Also known as a butt hinge, a mortise door hinge is one of the most common types of hinges used in both commercial and residential applications. They are made of two leaves joined by a removable metal pin that lets them pivot. When the door is closed the hinge has a neat look to it as the leaves butt together.
Rising Mortise
A rising mortise hinge is a variation of the standard one except it causes the door to raise itself as you open it. This lets the door stay clear of thick or uneven floors.
Ball Bearing
With a ball bearing hinge, you get a permanently lubricated set of bearings used inside to help smoothen the make the operation quieter. These types of door hinges are extremely long-lasting and durable as they reduce friction and stress to the bare minimum.
Conclusion
Closing and opening actions of doors, windows and so other pieces of household interior are nowadays supported mainly hinges. Hinges have been around for longer than you think as the earliest form of a hinge comes from ancient times. There is nothing better to use than a hinge as it is a tried and true design that as simple and extremely functional.
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