A variety of door hinges. Hidden hinges for interior doors: features, advantages, installation
The loops are placed on swing doors and are their integral part. They ensure rotation of the doors around the side ends of the frame and act as a supporting mechanism, without which the door leaves simply will not open. There are many types of hinges available, but the most aesthetically pleasing are hidden hinges for interior doors. They remain invisible from the outside, and the doors can open 180 degrees.
Hidden type hinges - design features
In accordance with the regulations, door hinges must provide:- mobility of the canvas - its free opening and closing;
- reliable fastening throughout the service life;
- preventing spontaneous separation of the leaf from the door slope;
- fixation of extreme, and in some cases intermediate, positions of the canvases;
- trouble-free operation during the warranty period.
Well-known companies on the world market specializing in the production of window and door hardware, produce high-quality hidden hinges; interior doors with them can withstand the opening-closing cycle of the leaves up to 200,000 times.
The hidden loop is made of tsamak, an alloy consisting of four metals. It includes aluminum and magnesium, as well as copper and zinc. Tsamak is harmless to humans, has sufficient strength, excellent casting properties at a low melting point and smooth surface. Finished hinges are coated with chrome, brass and nickel-plated coatings, which can be glossy or matte.
The design of the invisibility loop itself consists of a hinge hidden in a metal case, and it is connected to the canvas using a lever. It, in turn, consists of two parts, fastened with a common screw. When closing the door, the lever hides in a recess and is impossible to see from the outside.
When choosing hidden hinges, you need to pay attention to the direction in which the door opens, since hinges are divided into left, right and universal, installed on either side of the door frame.
Also, hidden type hinges can have adjustment, but cheaper models are produced without it.
Advantages of a hidden door hinge
Hidden door hinges have become popular due to their undeniable advantages:
- the possibility of adjusting an already installed sash without dismantling in three directions;
- uniform fit of the leaf to the door frame and ensuring equal gaps at all four ends;
- large opening angle, which is essential when moving large furniture or other objects;
- high reliability ensured by a special design;
- external inconspicuousness, which allows for increased demands on the aesthetics and design of the interior door;
- additional protection against unauthorized persons entering the premises - it is not possible to cut down or knock down a hidden loop to remove the canvas;
- no subsidence of the heavy door leaf.
Where and how are hidden door hinges installed?
The choice of a hidden hinge is made, first of all, focusing on the weight of the door leaf. One model can withstand a load of 40 kg, and the other - 200 kg.
It is logical to note that the stronger the hinge design, the more expensive it is, so if you are installing a lightweight sash, you should not overpay and buy massive fittings. For each specific option there is an individual solution.
Install invisible hinges in non-folded and folded door designs. Hidden interior doors that externally merge with the wall are equipped only with such hinges. In this case they are completely invisible.
The material for the box and canvas can be:
- wood;
- aluminum;
- steel.
Hidden hinges are mounted into the end of the door leaf from the jamb side and into the frame itself by inserting and fastening with self-tapping screws. The work is carried out with special precision so that no gaps appear when the door is closed.
As a rule, hidden hinges are installed on the sash in the amount of three pieces. This provides additional reliability and long service life.
After hanging the finished canvas on the box, it is adjusted with a hex key:
- horizontally – alignment of the sash relative to door jamb using an adjusting screw located on the surface of the hinge;
- vertically - adjusting the gaps between the canvas and the floor, or between the cross member of the frame and the upper end of the sash by turning a vertically located screw;
- by clamping - adjusting the uniformity of pressing of the canvas to the box using an adjusting eccentric.
It should be noted that not all models of hidden hinges can be regulated, but only those that have this function.
Which loops to choose?
Structurally, any swing and folding doors must have hinges. Other types, such as a sliding, hinged or sliding hidden interior door, are equipped with rollers and guides along which the door leaves move.
Loops are:
- invoices – installed in the form of patches;
- mortise – fastened in specially made slots;
- hidden - they go deep into the body of the canvas and boxes;
- screw-in - welded to the sash frame and jamb;
- bar - used for swing doors.
Each of the designs has its own characteristics and is intended for specific purposes. The overlay hinge is the most common, especially for lightweight economy doors. Mortise ones are placed on entrance groups and heavy leaves, screw-in ones for light metal doors, and bar doors are made specifically for doors that open in both directions.
Hidden type loops do not stand out from common plane doors and this is their main feature.
Which hinges to purchase for a door depends on its purpose, location, weight and requirements imposed by the owner or dictated overall design premises. The choice is huge!
In houses modern people Almost any door works thanks to the presence of door hinges, of which there are many types: overhead, corner, mortise and hidden hinges. Which one to give preference when choosing? You decide for yourself what to choose, but take a closer look at the hidden hinges - they have a special design and in a cunning way installation, so that they cannot be seen from the outside of the door. Such loops can be found in houses and apartments more and more often - why not join the people who have already installed hidden loops for themselves?
What are the advantages of such loops
Concealed door hinges are a visually attractive and completely safe door hardware that offers multiple benefits as listed below:
- High level of security. Thanks to the special design and type of fastening (inside the door leaf), secret hinges cannot be opened (hacked or sawed off) by intruders from the outside of the door, unlike other door hinges.
- Absolute reliability. Hidden hinges are made of durable metal alloys and have the simplest possible design, which is why they can serve for several decades under the following conditions.
- Decent power. Loops hidden installation can withstand a lot of weight, so they can be installed not only on interior walls, but also on steel entrance doors.
- Good appearance. It is known that hidden hinges are placed inside the door leaf, and that is why they do not spoil the appearance of the door from the outside.
Thus, hidden door hinges are a good choice for any home if you purchase a quality kit. You will now learn how to do this correctly.
Basic rules for making the right choice
In order to choose the right good and high-quality hidden hinges for doors, you need to look not only at the cost of the kit, but also at its characteristics. You can often buy a really good kit for average price, while the most expensive and rated hinges will not be able to meet your security requirements. When choosing loops, be objective!
Another unspoken rule is to trust only proven products. Below in this article you can familiarize yourself with manufacturers of high-quality and reliable hidden hinges. You should not choose kits of suspicious origin, because you are choosing not just door hinges, but your protection. This also applies to the option if you choose furniture hinges– quality must always be there.
Instructions for choosing hinges
There are no strict instructions with which you can choose hidden hinges for interior doors (or any others). Despite this, you can give an algorithm of actions, following which will put you on the right path and help you get closer to the right choice:
- Determine which way your door will open. To do this, stand facing the door and take it by the handle. Pull towards you - if you open the door right hand on itself, and it opens into right side, then the loops must be chosen to be right. Otherwise, you need to purchase a set of left hidden hinges for the door.
- Find out what size loops you need. This is easy to determine if you know approximate weight door leaf: for doors from 10 to 25 kilograms, hinges 7-8 cm high are suitable, doors from 25 to 40 kilograms will be held well on hinges 10 cm high, while heavier doors must be placed on hidden hinges of even greater length.
- Define required amount loops Installation options will also depend on the weight of the doors - light ones can be placed on two hinges, and heavy ones can be placed on three or more hinges.
- Select good material. Hidden hinges for metal doors are made of brass (corrosion resistant), steel (high strength) and brass-zinc alloy, which is both highly durable and resistant to corrosion.
If your goal is universal, choose hidden hinges made of brass-zinc alloy. You may have to spend more money on a set of such hinges, but you will protect yourself from premature destruction of the hinges and loss of necessary security.
To install hidden hinges, you will have to make deep sockets in the door, so before purchasing a set of hinges, make sure that they can be installed in your door.
Which loops to pay attention to
If you find it difficult to choose a manufacturer of hidden door hinges, we will help you. Below are some of the best and definitely noteworthy manufacturers, whose products have already proven themselves and have been tested by time and hundreds of doors. When choosing hinges, pay attention first of all to hinges from these manufacturers.
AGB
Hidden hinges AGB from Italian manufacturer have been produced for 60 years in many countries around the world. The company's products, namely hidden hinges, have the following advantages:
Thus, Italian hidden hinges with a closer from AGB will become excellent choice for lovers of not only functionality and reliability, but also attractive appearance.
Armadillo
Armadillo door hardware, including concealed door hinges, is known for its quality and safety. The hinges are made from only one material - brass, which has excellent corrosion resistance.
Active bearings are installed in Armadillo hinges, due to which the door operates silently and smoothly without squeaks. The presence of active bearings can significantly reduce the wear of door hardware and extend its service life. This manufacturer also has hinges with closers.
Closer – special device for door hinges, which ensures silent and smooth closing of the door without impacts or slams, preventing breakage.
Krona Koblenz
Another Italian brand of hidden hinges, among which you can easily find reliable, safe and beautiful-looking solutions, for example, Kubica K6300. Hinges from the manufacturer Krona Koblenz can be installed both on wooden interior doors and on heavy and iron entrance doors due to their ability to withstand heavy weight. Despite the small color scheme hinges (only nickel and chrome are available), hinges from the Italian manufacturer are distinguished by an attractive appearance that does not spoil the appearance of the door itself from the outside. A good choice for people who value reliability above all.
Of course, there are other manufacturers of hidden door hinges that are definitely worth paying attention to. Take your time when making a choice, rely not on appearance and price, but on specifications, and then the selected hidden hinges will serve you for a long time!
Installation of hidden hinges is possible both on metal entrance doors and on interior doors. Despite the difficulties in installation, they have a number of advantages in use. Convenient adjustment allows you to adjust the doors in three planes. All that may be required during operation is to lubricate the hinges in a timely manner.
Functions and Features
Door hinges perform important functions. With their help, the canvas is attached to the box. In addition, they take the weight of the door and provide an angle at which it can open. Correctly selected hidden hinges will make it possible to swing the door 180 degrees, and not 90 or 120. This is very convenient, for example, when carrying large pieces of furniture or other cargo.
Hinges can be adjustable or non-adjustable. They may also differ in weight load and the way the door opens. Depending on the direction of opening, they can be right, left or universal, which do not depend on which direction the leaf opens.
Metal door hinges can be made of different alloys such as stainless steel, cast iron or brass. Stainless or brass is preferable.
Advantages
Metal hidden hinges have a number of advantages compared to other types of hinges.
- Reliable to use. Hidden hinges, thanks to their special design, are practically unbreakable.
- They are not visible. Interior doors with hidden hinges are most often installed where the design of the room requires it. Installed at the entrance, they increase safety, since it is very difficult to get to them and cut them off, like mounted ones.
- Adjustment in three planes is possible after completion of installation and hanging of the door leaf.
Installation
Hidden hinges for interior doors are not easy to install. For this we need special tools, so the insertion is usually entrusted to a specialist. If you decide to do it yourself, then carefully study the drawings and installation instructions included with the fittings. Keep in mind that the seating recesses of the hinges must be made carefully and accurately to avoid distortion of the mechanism and the door.
For inserting loops into door frame you need to make a two-level recess, so one chisel is not enough. It is done using an electric milling machine and special templates. They are usually placed complete with fittings. If necessary, you can make a template yourself by making a drawing.
The depth of the niche for the counter part in the canvas depends on the hinge manufacturers. For some, it may be the same or even more than in the box. In others, it is small, which can be cut out by hand.
If the recesses are made well and the hinges on the interior doors are installed correctly, they can withstand a load of up to 50 kg and will open 180 degrees.
When installing on metal doors, you need to install hinges that are designed specifically for them and can withstand the heavy weight of the door leaf. Metal doors with pre-prepared holes for hinges, and the fittings are sold as a set, because making niches in metal yourself is problematic. Therefore, when purchasing a door, pay attention to the type of hinges.
Adjusting hidden hinges
The adjustment comes down to setting equal gaps around the entire perimeter between the canvas and the box. Hidden hinges make it possible to adjust the operation of the door without dismantling it.
Adjustment is made in three planes using special hex keys:
- by height – sets the size of the gaps at the top and bottom of the door;
- horizontally – helps to level door leaf relative to the box and make the gaps even;
- by clamping - it is carried out by turning the adjusting eccentric and allows you to set uniform pressure of the leaf to the frame along the entire perimeter of the door.
Amount of adjustment at hinges different manufacturers will be different. It can range from 1 to 5 mm.
After the adjustment is completed, decorative plates are installed to hide the mounting bolts and adjustment holes.
How to lubricate hidden hinges
Over time, it may become necessary to lubricate hidden metal hinges. It is better to do this with machine oil, which can be bought at any hardware store. It is injected between the rubbing parts using an oil can or syringe, and the excess is wiped off with a soft cloth.
The possibility of installing hidden hinges on interior doors appeared not so long ago. Those who have compared them with more conventional external hinges have no doubt that they are better and more convenient to use. All that is needed during use is to lubricate them in time.
