Features of the device, installation and adjustment of hidden door hinges

Installation of hidden door hinges

For smooth and easy opening of doors, the hinges must be correctly selected and installed. Secret or hidden hinges are popular. To install them, special holes are made in the door frame and leaf, and when the door is closed, such canopies are not visible.

According to regulations, door hinges, including hidden ones, must provide the following characteristics:

• free opening and closing of the door leaf;
• reliable fixation of the door and frame during operation;
• safety, they should not allow spontaneous separation of the leaf from the door frame;
• possibility of fixing the blade in extreme positions;
• high-quality performance of functions during the warranty period.

Hidden hinges from well-known manufacturers are highly durable and can withstand up to 200,000 operating cycles.

To create hidden hinges installed on interior doors, an alloy of four metals called tsamak is usually used. It contains magnesium, aluminum, zinc and copper. Tsamak has good fluidity at a low melting point, so high-temperature furnaces are not required to organize production. It has sufficient strength and a smooth surface.

To give finished hinges an attractive appearance, a nickel, chrome or brass coating is used, which can be glossy or matte.

Hidden door hinges do not spoil the appearance of the door leaf, since they are not visible in its closed position

If we talk about the design of hidden hinges, it will be more complicated than that of overhead or mortise models.

The invisibility loop includes the following elements:

• metal case;
• hinge, it hides in the hinge body;
• lever, this element consists of two parts, which are fastened together by a steel movable axis, and ensures the connection of the hinge and the blade;
• anti-friction bushings, they serve to improve sliding.

The hidden hinge consists of the following main elements: a central rotary (1) and two fixed axes (3), a lever (2)

Before purchasing hidden hinges, you need to decide on the direction in which the door will open. There are left-handed and right-handed products, as well as universal ones. The latter can be installed on any side of the box.

In addition, there is a division of hidden hinges into unregulated and adjustable. It is clear that the cost of the latter will be higher. If we talk about the materials of the door frame and sash in which such hinges are installed, then these are wood, aluminum or steel.

To ensure maximum service life, experts recommend installing three hidden hinges, especially for heavy door leaves.

Depending on the load the hidden hinges are designed for, their sizes will differ. For interior doors, it is enough to install parts that can withstand a load of 40–50 kg. The weight of entrance doors can reach up to 200 kg, so more powerful models will be needed here.

Although universal hinges are more convenient to install, they are less reliable. Experts recommend choosing hidden hinges taking into account the opening of the canvas.

Left and right door hinges are more reliable, but universal models can also be purchased

Hidden hinges with closer

These models appeared relatively recently. Since the hinge and the closer are combined in one mechanism, there is no need to additionally install a shock-absorbing device. Externally, such products are practically no different from traditional ones. They may be larger in size, but the main difference is in the design.

A hinge with a closer has a built-in shock-absorbing mechanism, the main working element of which is a spring. When the door leaf is opened, it stretches, and when released, it begins to shrink. Thanks to this, the sash returns to its original closed position.

In order for the door to close smoothly, an oil shock absorber is used. In this case, the spring is placed in a cylinder. It has a system of valves through which oil moves from one chamber to another. When opening a door, the process occurs in one direction, and when closing it, in the opposite direction. The spring is in a viscous medium, so the compression rate decreases. This allows the door leaf to close more slowly and softly and avoid hitting the frame.

The closer spring, placed in a cylinder with oil, ensures smooth closing of the door

When choosing hidden hinges with a closer, you must take into account that they cannot be installed on all types of doors. Such models cannot be used for heavy products, since the hinges will not be able to perform their functions normally and will quickly fail.

The number of hinges will depend on the weight of the door leaf:

• for a sash weighing 40–50 kg, experts recommend installing two hidden hinges with a closer;
• for doors weighing from 50 to 90 kg, it is necessary to install three canopies;
• For fabrics weighing more than 100–120 kg, it is not recommended to use such loops; it is better to install a powerful closer separately.

Another disadvantage is that the door block must be positioned with a slight deviation from the vertical. This is necessary to facilitate the operation of the parts mechanism. In each case, the angle is determined individually. If you make the slope large, then the door will close on its own even without a closer. At a small angle of the blade, the operation of the mechanism becomes more complicated, and it fails faster.

Due to the presence of a built-in shock-absorbing mechanism, such hinges have a number of advantages:

• no impacts of the canvas on the box, which prolongs the service life, and if there are children in the house, then the presence of a door closer will minimize the risk of injury;
• there is no need to hold the door when closing;
• no drafts.

What factors are fundamental when choosing an entrance metal structure? Why are entrance doors with internal hinges so popular today? The answer is obvious: appearance and reliability. In fact, multi-page technical descriptions of a particular door are of interest only to specialists. Consumers are interested in answers to simpler questions.

Is the door secure enough against burglary? Actually, preventing unwanted guests from entering the house is its main function.

How long will the product last? Changing it every couple of years is a very dubious pleasure.

How good does the front door look? Still, it is the calling card of the apartment and can tell a lot about the owner with just its appearance.

Obviously, on all three points, steel entrance doors will be unrivaled. People learned to make metal door leaves that are not inferior in aesthetic qualities to wooden ones long ago. There is powder coating, MDF-based decor, and even solid wood in the exterior decoration. But the door hinges...

The fact is that almost all metal doors open outward. Therefore, the hinges are also welded on the outside. Since the door is quite heavy, the hinges have to be made massive, which noticeably spoils the overall impression. In addition, with open access to door hinges, questions arise about reliability - they can easily be cut off.

Internal hinges for metal doors do not have such shortcomings, but they also have their own nuances.

Entrance doors with internal hinges: features

These hinges are located inside the frame and are suitable for any, even the most sophisticated door design. This is a definite plus. And there’s no way an attacker will be able to get to them with a burglary tool.

It would seem that this is the solution to all problems. But…

Internal hinges for doors, due to their design features, do not allow them to open at an angle of more than 95-98 degrees - that’s it. This means that problems may arise with carrying large items, and when you try to open the door wider, you can deform the door frame at the location of the hinge.

Metal doors with internal hinges are significantly more expensive than products with regular hinges - that's two. This is understandable: a more complex design means a higher production cost. Naturally, one should not skimp on security, but the fact is that the superiority of such doors over traditional ones is somewhat exaggerated.

Doors with an open hinge group installation are usually equipped with elements that do not allow the door to be removed even with the hinges cut off. For example, reviews of Jaguar doors confirm the excellent burglary resistance of products with external hinges and anti-breakers.

In addition, it is very difficult to imagine a burglar who first cuts off the hinges with a roar and noise, and then fiddles for a long time to bypass these anti-removal elements. But without a doubt, there are options when installing internal hinges is an urgent need.

You can also add that it is quite difficult to install a good seal at the location of hidden hinges, and in some cases you may even need a second door for good thermal insulation - that’s three.

So, is it better to install steel doors with internal hinges or open hinges?

The security issue can have several solutions: choosing a design with hidden hinges, a panel recessed into the frame, installing a sliding grille on the door, an additional vestibule structure, etc.

The decision must be made carefully, with careful consideration of the specifics of a particular case. It is necessary to take into account everything: how sophisticated the design of the product is, whether there is a large difference in price, whether there is a need to increase the level of safety, as well as future operating conditions. However, those manufacturers of metal doors who have been successfully operating in this market for a long time will always have experienced specialists ready to help with their advice.

Advantages and disadvantages of hidden door hinges

At first, hidden hinges were installed only on entrance doors, this is due to their high burglary resistance. Now many people have begun to install such canopies on interior ones, and they are guided by the following advantages of hidden hinges:

1. Attractiveness. Such hinges do not spoil the appearance of the door leaf, so they can be installed on almost all types of doors, including products with an “invisible” frame.
2. High reliability. A pair of hidden hinges can support a door leaf weighing 50 kg, while conventional ones are designed for a leaf weight of 30 kg.
3. Comfort. They can be adjusted in three directions: vertically, horizontally and clamping. This can be done both during installation and during operation. This adjustment is important for new buildings, since after some time the house may shrink, which is why the doors begin to close poorly. Some models of hidden hinges allow you to open the door 180o.
4. Long service life.
5. Versatility. Such hinges can be mounted on canvases made of wood and metal, as well as synthetic materials. Most manufacturers include such accessories in their range.

Despite the large number of advantages, hidden hinges also have disadvantages:

1. High cost of fittings.
2. The risk of deformation of the door frame when trying to suddenly open the doors due to the presence of levers.
3. Low strength of the door structure due to the creation of holes in the frame and door leaf for the installation of such hinges.
4. The width of the rebate at the entrance door on the hinge side is reduced, so the sealing of the gaps is worse.
5. The installation of the platband is difficult, since when the door is opened, the door leaf rests against it.

Types of hinges by type of design

Perhaps the most numerous classification of canopies for door panels is by type of design. There are double-sided, overhead, hidden, mortise, screw-in, and corner varieties. Each one is worth examining in more detail.

Overhead and mortise door hinges

Although such canopies differ somewhat in appearance, state standards do not define the difference between them. This is card fittings that are immediately attached to the canvas and box - quickly and without long preparation. The differences are only in one point:

• The invoices need only be attached with screws to the jamb and door frame.
• For mortise structures, recesses are cut out in the decorative coating to “sink” the wing-plates of the fittings into them.

One of the popular models of overhead awnings is the “butterfly”. When the door returns to the closed state, the small "wing" is placed in a special cutout on the large "wing". As a result, the thickness of the fittings is equal to the thickness of one plate. This design eliminates the need to select decorative cladding for fittings. It is enough just to mark and secure.

butterfly loops (overhead)

Overhead awnings are the first, ancient models. They were forged from iron plates by blacksmiths - the result was a durable and “harsh” product.

Today, buyers of overhead models are attracted by the clear and simple installation of fittings, which even a beginner can do. It is necessary to set marks, drill holes in the right places, place the canvas in a strictly vertical position and securely fasten it with screws.

Mortise models look more harmonious and aesthetically pleasing than mortise ones, because they do not protrude above the surface of the jamb and door leaf, as they are embedded in the cladding. If the sash is closed, then only the rotary axes of such fittings will be visible. But installing such a structure requires time and carpentry skills - you will have to make a careful selection along the contour of the canopy plate on the canvas and door frame.

mortise hinges

Mortise and overhead structures are divided among themselves: detachable and universal types. Key differences here:

• The universal overhead model has greater rigidity than the split model. With a small size and small area, it can withstand a decent weight. Therefore, experts advise buying overhead universal varieties for massive and heavy doors. This is also an excellent “prevention” of sash sagging.
• Detachable overhead canopies left-handed and right-handed. Their name says they are universal.

Professionals highlight several advantages of invoice names:

• Easy installation.
• Relatively low price.
• Long and impeccable service.

Speaking about the shortcomings, we highlight:

• It is necessary to unscrew them in order to remove the shutter.
• There is a big risk that over time the door leaf will become warped.
• Such fittings can only be installed on a jamb, a canvas with a perfectly flat surface.
• Best suited for light targets.

Among the advantages of mortise products:

• Affordable price.
• Relatively easy installation if you have basic carpentry skills.
• Universal use - no division into left and right.

Screw-in (or screw-in) door hinges

To visualize this model, “draw” symmetrical barrels, where the “finger” of the bottom is inserted into the “fist” of the other.

Each of these “barrels” has two “branches” for mounting screws. Accordingly, one cylinder is attached to the frame, and the second to the jamb.

This is a kind of analogue of butterfly hinges - they are practically invisible to the observer, they are attached to the door structure without sampling or other preparation. An important advantage of screw-in ones is that they are universal. And one more feature, which will be an advantage for some and a disadvantage for others: the canvas on such “barrels” cannot be removed once installed.

screw-in hinge

If you are attracted by screw-in fittings, be sure to check that you have purchased a door design with a Euro rebate.

Masters highlight several advantages of “barrels”:

• Universal use.
• Installation is feasible even for a beginner.
• Possibility of changing the position of the door leaf in two planes.
• Certain models of screw-in canopies allow you to adjust the position of the canvas in height.

But don't forget about the disadvantages:

• Such fittings are only suitable for doors with a quarter.
• This model is not suitable for structures with fragile cladding.
• Once you have installed the “barrels”, you can remove the door only by breaking out the entire structure.

Corner door hinges (corner card hinges)

The difference between this one and all those mentioned is that it does not have the usual “wing” plates. Instead, profile corners are adjacent to the axial part. This feature allows you to install corner hinges on structures with a rebate. An inset is made on the facing material for the corners.

Hidden (secret) door hinges

As the name promises, they are hidden as much as possible from the observer. If the door is closed, they are not visible at all. This advantage is ensured by the presence of at least three rotary axes. In their orientation, secret canopies are universal - both left and right. But, unlike the same overhead models, their installation is beyond the power of a beginner.

There are undoubted advantages to purchasing such accessories:

• The loops cannot be cut off even with the most sophisticated burglar devices.
• Guaranteed long-term quality use.
• High rigidity and strength - suitable for cutting into heavy 100% natural wood panels.

hidden hinges

But even the most innovative model has its drawbacks:

• The canvas will only swing open to a certain angle. Therefore, if you are planning to rearrange or purchase large-sized furniture and equipment, take this feature into account first.
• If you accidentally open the door wider than the angle it was designed for, it will cause the entire door frame to warp.
• In order to install the hinges, the craftsman mills grooves for them. Please note that such installation reduces the strength of the entire structure.
• You agree to complex installation, repair and dismantling of the door structure - such work can only be done by professionals.
• The highest price among loop headsets.
• Such structures are very susceptible to shock and mechanical stress. If you slam the sash too much, it will cause the leaf to jam or the entire structure to become warped.

Double-sided door (bar) hinges

The second name is card bars. These are rather intricate designs, the main task of which is to ensure that the door opens a full 180° - both forward and backward. As a rule, in an ordinary apartment such a feature is not required - they are good for public, office, and entertainment spaces.

Similar designs of fittings are also known as pendulum spring, “metro” and “western”. It means a double-sided canopy, inside the “cards” of which the manufacturer installs powerful springs. It is due to them that the target ultimately returns to its original position on its own. This feature gives the door high throughput and does not create obstacles for passing people. This is why it is often installed at evacuation crossings.

bar hinges

“Metro” hinges are also required for office premises and shops - if a visitor forgets to slam the door, it will close itself. The room remains warm. Convenience fee - from 700 rubles for each canopy. It is important to choose them based on the width, weight and thickness of the canvas.

Popular are bar hinges with built-in bearings, whose task is to ensure silent and smooth movement of the entire structure.

Bearing hinges

Small, compact and convenient, which allow you to evenly distribute the weight of the entire door leaf. They are further divided into bearings:

• Rolling - great for lightweight fabrics.
• Slides - provide, in comparison with other models, imperceptible friction. Install on heavy surfaces.

Bearing fittings have the following undeniable advantages:

• Very smooth, very easy movement of the sash.
• Easy installation, replacement and repair.
• Uniform distribution of the door weight between the fittings, which ensures the reliability and durability of the entire structure, prevents distortions.

What to look for when choosing hidden door hinges

When choosing such products, you should pay attention not only to their cost, but also to their performance characteristics.

It is better to buy fittings from trusted manufacturers such as AGB, Armadillo, Krona Koblenz and others. There is no need to try to save money by buying loops of dubious origin. Door hinges must ensure not only smooth and easy opening of the door, but also reliable fixation to the frame.

The Italian company AGB is a well-known manufacturer of hidden hinges

There are no specific instructions for choosing the right hidden loops. To purchase accessories that meet your requirements, it is enough to determine the following parameters:

1. Door opening side. There are right and left loops. You can buy universal models, but their strength is lower.
2. Loop size. To do this, you need to decide on the weight of the canvas. If it is 15–25 kg, then hinges 7–8 cm long are sufficient, and when the door weight is 25–40 kg, then canopies 10 cm long must be installed.
3. Number of loops. This indicator also depends on the weight of the door leaf. For lightweight structures, it is enough to install two hinges. If the canvas is heavy, then 3-4 canopies will be needed.
4. Material. For heavy entrance doors, you need to purchase hinges made of steel or brass. They are more durable, but also expensive. For interior structures, you can use hinges made of tsamak alloy. Their strength is sufficient for reliable fixation of interior paintings, and the cost of such fittings is less than that of steel or brass.

General features of door awnings

First of all, you need to remember that absolutely all door hinges are divided into left, right and universal. It’s quite easy to decide here. As for the left or right models, you need to imagine that you are facing your doors and opening them towards you, if the hinges are on the right, then they are right, if on the left, then they are left. Well, there are no problems with universal ones; they can be placed anywhere.

Loops are left, right and universal.

What are hinges made of?

All door hinges are made of metal, even metal canopies are placed on plastic doors, they are simply then covered with plastic covers. Another thing is what kind of metal this or that door hinge is made of.

Steel door hinges are deservedly considered luminaries. Previously, these were massive wrought iron canopies; now they are also used, but only in ethnic design styles or for utility rooms.

The bulk of the market is occupied by more modern steel sheds. In this case there are 2 options:

1. Stainless steel looks solid and is uniquely durable. Such canopies are not afraid of corrosion and do not require painting; they can be placed on both interior and metal doors. The only problem is that they are priced above average;

Stainless steel canopies do not require painting.

1. Ferrous metal canopies are also quite durable, but they do need some kind of coating. If you are interested in quality, then we choose between powder coating and nickel plating. For a budget option, you can take bare metal and then paint it yourself, otherwise it will rust.

Powder coating reliably protects the metal from corrosion.
In the ranking of expensive models, brass leads. This metal also does not rust and does not require painting. But brass is not as strong as steel. Brass canopies will withstand interior doors, but hinges for metal doors, if the design idea requires it, are made of steel and then decorated with brass, bronze or gold.

If you decide to take brass canopies, then it is better to give preference to models that have bearings; their performance characteristics are an order of magnitude higher than usual.

The know-how of the modern market is alloys. There are really high-quality products mixed with titanium and other high-strength metals, but quite often complex names hide cheap material that lasts no more than a year.

A high-quality alloy is practically no different in weight from steel.

So, the cheap and fairly well-known silumin, in the opinion of most experts hinges on doors at all, but unscrupulous manufacturers are churning out such canopies to this day, and cunning advertisers come up with a different name for them and people buy them.

The whole problem is that high-quality and low-quality alloys cannot be visually distinguished, because the hinges are covered with something on top. Only one piece of advice can be given here - look at the price, a good thing cannot be cheap. Plus, most of these fake awnings are noticeably lighter than steel or brass ones.

https://youtu.be/YDphljQ-9hU

How many awnings do you need?

There are many types of canopies now; a little later we will talk about common types, but the main characteristic for any canopy is, figuratively speaking, its load capacity. Beauty is important, but not the main thing, especially when choosing hinges for a steel door.

Dimensions of steel split hinges.

If we do not take into account the decorative and furniture sector, then the minimum for a door canopy is 15 kg. It is believed that among the production models, the most powerful hinges for entrance doors should withstand about 100 kg per unit. If the door leaf weighs more than 250 kg, then, as a rule, special hinges are made to order for such a metal door.

In general, the heavier the door, the more hinges are installed on it, but the maximum is 4 hinges per 1 leaf. They can be positioned in different ways, the main thing is that there is 200 - 250 mm from the top and bottom edges to the nearest canopy. As for the rest, as you like, the photo below shows 5 common installation options.

Door hinges - types of installation.

Of course, the dimensions of the canopies and the material from which the door hinges are made are important, but for interior doors there is a conditional division:

• 2 canopies are mounted on canvases weighing up to 40 kg;
• If the weight of the canvas is in the range from 40 to 60 kg, then 3 canopies are needed;
• Doors weighing more than 60 kg are mounted on 4 canopies.