When it comes to commercial doors, specifying the correct types of door hinges is critically important if you want to avoid expensive repairs down the road.  Improperly specified hinges is one of the most common issues we find when performing specification reviews.  So, this leads to the question:

What type of door hinges do I need?

Hinges – What’s The Door Application?

The type of hinge you need is going to be determined by the door’s application.  For most commercial doors that receive a relatively frequent use, you will want a heavy-duty hinge.

Residential hinges and spring-loaded hinges are not designed to withstand high cycle counts or the weight of heavier doors.  Using these light-duty hinges for the wrong application will eventually cause the door to sag which will lead to a host of problems with the door and locking hardware.

Another major consideration is the material that is used to make the hinge.  If you put a non-stainless steel hinge on an exterior door, you will end up with rusted hinges in no time at all.  For exterior doors, make sure that you use a heavy-duty stainless steel hinge.

Heavy-Duty Hinges – What are The Different Types?

There are a myriad of different heavy-duty hinges available on today’s market.  The two main types we recommend are butt hinges and continuous hinges.

 

Butt Hinges

Butt hinges are the most common; you can find them on virtually any residential doors and on many commercial doors as well.  The two leaves of the hinge are mated together with a pin.

Just like there are a vast number of hinges available, there are equally as many different types of butt hinges.  The size, weight, and frequency usage of your door will determine the size and gauge of hinge that you need.  The most common type of butt hinge is a five-knuckle hinge.  The number of knuckles can go down or up depending on the design of the hinge.

If there is a door closer on your door, you will want to be sure to have a bearing hinge.  This will reduce the friction and allow the door to close more smoothly.

If you are installing a butt hinge on an exterior door, you may want to consider a security hinge.  There are two main features to look for: security studs and/or non-removable pins.

Continuous Hinges
Continuous hinges run the entire length of the door and are typically used for exterior doors or heavy interior doors.  They can either be pin and barrel (similar to a butt hinge) or geared.

While not technically a security hinge, many consider continuous hinges to be a security hinge because one would have to cut the hinge the entire length of the door in order to remove the door from the opening.  They also have the added benefit of covering the gap between the door and frame, leaving no room to pry the door on the hinge side.

If you have any questions about the type of hinge you need, feel free to contact either us or your preferred hinge manufacturer.  One of us should be able to steer you in the right direction!