Hinges are found on most every door that we can find. I am going to discuss a few details about door
hinges. What are the correct hinges for your project, what are the features of hinges, and how many
hinges should you need per door.
There are two general types of door hinges, Plain and Ball – Bearing. Plain hinges have two pieces of
bent metal called leaves that interlock using a hinge pin. The pin passes through the knuckles and hold
that door to the jamb, Ball bearing hinges have bearings between some of the knuckles to facilitate
function and extend hinge life. Most hinges have plain pins, but some have decorative ends called finials
and others have decorative carvings on their faces. There are features that increase security like non-
removeable pins, and interlocking leaves.
Depending on the size and type of doors you are hanging, you need to select the best hinges for the
purpose. In general standard 80” doors require 3 three hinges. Many doors have 2 hinges, but I do not
consider this enough for long term use. For seven-foot doors you can also use three. On eight-foot
doors, you need 4 hinges. Hollow core doors can use plain hinges, Semi-solid and solid wood doors can
use either depending on the weight, and solid core doors should use ball bearing hinges.
When choosing hinges for your project, the first thing to consider is the color. Hinges can be bought in
any color that door hardware can. Materials for the hinges will be determined by the location of your
project. Most hinges are steel, many are stainless steel and some of the finest are solid brass. Both
stainless steel and brass withstand adverse conditions better than steel and will last longer. Boat
builders use these materials for a reason.
Once you have chosen and properly installed the correct hinges, you should really not have much need
to change or replace them. Using the right hinges will also prevent them from loosening due to
movement and will prevent letting a well hung and finished door rub the jamb.