Wherever you see a door, you will find a hinge. Its basic concept has been taken from the joints found in the knees and elbows of the body. The hinge is a type of bearing that typically connects the two panels of a door, to allow a limited angle of rotation to allow the door to be opened and closed.
Hinges were found in Europe, Asia, and Africa in ancient times. Metal was a rarely found commodity and a significant status. In ancient times, they served more as a status value and were therefore large and thick, mostly made of bronze. They were found on doors that protect scared structures and other places of state importance. The larger the hinge, it showed that the king was richer and more powerful. Since then, they have evolved into smaller, more delicate shapes.
It is an intrinsic part of a door. Now they are in different materials, sizes and stiffness of rotation angles. A typical door typically has three positioned at equal distances from each other. They are also placed on windows.
They are classified according to their purpose. Here are some types:
The butt hinge is the most common household hinge and fits all cabinets and doors. They are generally very resistant. It is also the easiest hinge to replace by one person without the help of a technician. However, it is important to ensure that the existing hinge and the new hinge are exactly the same size and type.
Flush hinges are found on cabinets and are lightweight. Otherwise they are exactly like butt hinges. The continuous hinge is called a piano hinge because it was first used to secure the lid of pianos. Now used on objects that require extended support. The concealed hinge is used in cabinets where you do not want the hinges to be visible.
Pivoting hinges are used on doors. The pivots rotate from the top and bottom of the door. They are generally large and thick and are ideal for heavier exterior doors.
They also differ from each other in their configuration. They are found in the plain or standard type, the reverse assembly, the stamping, the one-sheet swag type, the one-sheet full swag type, multi-blades, uneven blades, multi-barrel, and the foam hinge. Multi Barrel Hinges are made to order due to the barrel and leaf variations available.
They can be purchased in plastic, aluminum, stainless steel or brass. The hinges can be painted to complement the decor and add beauty. They can be found in pretty shapes and can be customized upon request when desired. Hinges can be selected from catalogs or found in hardware stores in major markets.