Indoor hinges are an aesthetic and functional necessity in anything from kitchen cabinets and furniture pieces to bedroom and bathroom doors. Butt hinges are simple and cost-effective options that offer a flush, clean look paired with decent durability and easy installation. Pivot hinges are a stylish choice as they slot under doors and allow for bi-directional opening and closing. Contemporary concealed or hidden hinges move completely out of the way to accentuate designs and finishes. These are popular choices if adjustability, improved security and versatility in a variety of settings are just as important as appearances.
What Is a Concealed Hinge?
Concealed or hidden hinges have become a design necessity for anyone looking for a sleek and modern finish. As the name implies, concealed hinges are designed to disappear when doors and panels are closed. They differ from other door hinges in that they are installed on the inside of doors or cabinet frames, creating a seamless and minimalist look. With numerous styles featuring different leaf designs, pin sizes and dimensions, hidden hinges can work in dozens of door styles in both residentiarl and industrial uses.
Construction
Also called European or cup hinges, this door hardware consists of two main parts – the hinge cup and hinge arm. Hinge cups sit in a recessed area mounted within drilled holes in doors. The hinge arm connects the cup to a mounting base plate, allowing for a pivoting action. The mounting plate attaches to the cabinet frame and secures the picot arm to ensure easy and secure opening and closing.
Basic design variations – full overlay, half overlay and inset hidden hinges – differ in how parts sit with the cabinet door and frame. Full overlay types are seen in cabinets where the door’s edge is aligned flush with the face of the cabinet frame. With the door closed, it completely covers the sides, offering a streamlined look. Common uses are in European cabinetry (hence the name), frameless kitchen cabinets and minimalist furniture pieces.
Half-overlay concealed hinges are common in adjacent cabinet doors sharing a centre partition or dividing wall. Both doors here cover most of the frame and meet at the partition edge. To ensure smooth closing and opening, a specialised hinge arm is used. Common instances where these are used are wall cabinets with multiple doors and double-door base units.
Inset hinges are designed to eliminate overlay, meaning cabinet doors sit completely flush with the frame. These are found in face-frame furniture pieces and high-end kitchen and wall cabinets. Other construction characteristics such as opening angles (95, 110 and 175 degrees), cup diameters (26, 35 and 40mm), and closing action (free swing, self-closing or soft-closing) offer a blend of customisation, precision, durability and functionality rarely seen in other door hinges.
Common Concealed Hinge Variants
- Concealed butt hinges: These work similarly to traditional butt hinges, but differ in that they are recessed in the door and frame. They’re durable, easy to install, are relatively cheap.
- European (full overlay) hinges: Besides offering clean and discreet looks with no visible hardware, hidden European hinges offer smooth opening and closing, reduced risk of tampering, high durability (being mounted away for dirt and dust) and space-saving practicality.
- Hidden mortise hinges: also called invisible or Soss hinges, this door hardware is mortised (recessed) into the door and frame, allowing it to stay completely hidden. They’re common in kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, lift-top desks and tables, and for seamless transitions in hidden doors.
- Pivot hidden hinges: Like classic pivot hinges, concealed variants are installed on the top and bottom of the door or frame, creating a central pivoting point. But, unlike traditional types, the door hardware is hidden from view, instead emphasising the door itself. Common uses are in large, heavy doors, often as front entrance doors in high-end homes and commercial premises (hotels, restaurants etc.) or interior partition doors.
Benefits These Hinges Offer
Concealed and hidden hinges offer a long list of advantages that improve the aesthetics, functionality and durability in any door:
Sleek and Modern Appearance
With a clean, sleek and minimalist look, concealed hinges eliminate exposed and ungainly door hardware. They work well with contemporary designs that call for smooth surfaces and seamless door functionality.
Enhanced Security
Since the hinges are hidden when the door is closed, and hardwater is installed inside the door, there’s a reduced risk of intentional tampering, making this door hardware the ideal option in security doors and entrances, besides more common indoor usage.
Improved Functionality
Silent and smooth operation warrants doors that open and close effortlessly. The closing action can also be chosen according to the application, meaning doors that shut smoothly in homes with children, or high-traffic areas like restaurants, offices and warehouses.
Versatility and Durability
These hinges are compatible with a wide range of door sizes, styles and materials. They work equally well in wooden, glass or composite materials and can cater to door sizes and weights ranging from small kitchen cabinets to large, solid entrance pivot doors. Being less exposed to outside contaminants also makes them durable. Choose from a range of metals – from stainless steel, galvanised mild steel, zinc and brass – all with high tensile strength and corrosion resistance.
When setting out to buy concealed hinges, consider the type and location of the door or cabinet you’re working with. Butt and mortise hinges work for most interior doors, cabinets with soft-closing mechanisms are ideally fitted with European hinges, and pivot types work best with larger doors. Consider closing mechanisms for smooth operation, materials for fit and aesthetics and overall sizes and weight loading to cater to door weight and dimensions.