9 Types of Hinges and How to Choose the Best One for You

So, you've taken on the task of installing a door hinge and suddenly realized how many types of hinges are at your fingertips. Door hinge types vary just as much as doors themselves, and their three main parts—the hinge leaves, pins, and knuckles—sit differently on each style of door. Choosing the best type of hinge for your door keeps it swinging smoothly for years to come. There are nine main types: butt, spring-loaded, ball-bearing, concealed, pivot, strap, continuous, off-set, and gate hinges.

1. Butt Hinge

A butt hinge is the most popular hinge design and comes in a range of styles that open both to the left and the right. On a basic level, the two leaves—the plates that fan out to either side—of the butt hinge butt right up against one another with the knuckle or barrel at the center. 

Butt hinges are often secured within a carved indent in your door, known as a mortise, so the hinge can fit evenly together. They also often include a pin at the center of the knuckle. Removing the door hinge pin is relatively easy, depending on the design.

Pros

• Low cost for both materials and installation

• Comes in a range of materials, styles, and security levels

• Go-to pick for many interior doors, partially solid-core doors

Cons

• Not always ideal for heavy or high-traffic doorways

• DIY installation can be complex depending on the design

• Specialized styles can be more expensive

Best For: Lightweight interior doors and cabinets

2. Spring-Loaded Hinge

Spring-loaded hinges are a type of butt hinge that includes a spring to ensure the door closes on its own. These hinges come in a range of sizes, tension levels, and materials, making them ideal for everything from heavy exterior doors to lightweight screen doors. The cost to install a new front door, for example, will particularly come down to the type and number of spring-loaded hinges needed to keep the door safely closing behind you.

Pros

• Increase ease of use by closing automatically behind you

• Many low-cost options for small doors on gates and cabinets

• Come in a range of sizes for a variety of uses

Cons

• May not fit in small spaces due to large knuckle or barrel

• Some spring butt-hinge varieties are not strong enough for heavy doors

• May require repairs over time as the spring breaks down

Best For: Self-closing doors, including screen, porch, and pantry doors

3. Ball-Bearing Hinge

Ball-bearing hinges are the go-to pick for high-traffic doors in your home. We're talking about everything from your kitchen cabinet to the bedroom closet door. The ball bearings between the knuckles of these hinges allow it to carry a higher vertical load than other butt hinges. That being said, they're not always durable enough for large exterior doors. 

Ball-bearing hinges can be a great fix for squeaky doors, but they require a design that can handle more weight over time without letting out that awful squeal. 

Pros

• In many cases, it is easy to remove the pin from a ball-bearing hinge

• Ideal for some heavy entryway doors that require more support

• Come in a range of materials and styles

Cons

• Heavier doors may require three hinges to bear the weight of the traffic

• Cost more than a regular butt hinge

• May require oil over time to reduce friction from extra parts

Best For: Interior doors with heavy traffic, such as cabinets, pantry doors, and closets

4. Concealed Hinge

Living up to their name, concealed hinges are tucked within a cabinet, pantry, or the structure of a door so they’re not visible from the outside. Not only does this look stylish, but it offers an added level of security for exterior doors. Concealed hinges are a general category that includes various materials, constructions, and prices.

Pros

• Spring-loaded options allow doors and furniture to close on their own

• Offer a streamlined look for cabinets, furniture, and specialty doors

• Can increase the security of a door or gate

Cons

• Often costs more than traditional butt hinges

• Does not fit comfortably in all cabinets or door spaces

• Complex to install and may require a customized design

Best For: Cabinets, furniture, and doors that require extra security

5. Pivot Hinge

Pivot hinges include two knife-like leaves that fold together and attach at several points of a door for extra support. In many cases, they also allow the door to swing in both directions, similar to saloon doors in a restaurant or between a kitchen and dining room. Due to their shape, this hinge type is also known as a knife hinge. Pivot hinges often sit at the two ends and the center of a door or a furniture lid for extra support.

Pros

• Allows doors to swing in both directions with ease

• Stylish options for doors, cabinets, and heavy interior doors

• Carries higher vertical and horizontal load due to elongated shape and placement

Cons

• Not ideal for exterior doors due to corrosion from large exposed hinge leaves

• Costs more to purchase and install

• Requires multiple hinges for full support

Best For: Lightweight doors that require flexibility in both directions 

6. Strap Hinge

While strap hinges look a bit like pivot hinges, they’re more decorative in nature. Strap hinges extend out to either side, often in an ornate pattern. They’re ideal for lightweight doors that are self-closing, such as gates and barns. You can also use them on interior doors that could use the extra touch of style, such as pantry and cabinet doors.

Pros

• Come in many materials, shapes, and colors

• Range in price and ease of installation

• Often come with a self-closing spring

Cons

• Not ideal for heavy and high-traffic doors

• Does not offer a generous amount of security

• Can corrode over time when placed in outdoor areas

Best For: Gate, barn, and ornamental doors that do not require ample security 

7. Continuous Hinge

Heavy doors that get ongoing traffic benefit from a continuous hinge that runs the length of your door jamb. It's uncommon to see these hinges on home doors, though you will spot them on commercial doors, pianos, and inside heavy cabinet doors. If you get to know the parts of a door, a continuous hinge would run the length of the hinge jamb—the internal board in the doorframe. 

Pros

• Supportive for very heavy interior and exterior doors

• Offer extreme security for all types of doors

• Ideal for small furniture doors, gates, and cabinets as well

Cons

• Not necessary for many home doors, except in special cases

• Complicated to install and not ideal for DIY

• High costs for materials and installation

Best For: Heavy, high-traffic doors that need support through the frame

8. Off-Set Hinge

The basic construction of a door doesn't always encourage easy movement. Off-set hinges allow a door to open at a slightly wider radius due to their unique shape. These hinges are often required for ADA-compliant doors and doors that regularly receive wide deliveries. 

Off-set hinges are also helpful in front of a home or apartment to ensure furniture can easily fit through the door. Since these hinges are more complicated to install, it's best to call a door installation team near you when installing them on a large door.

Pros

• Allow a door, cabinet, or furniture to open more widely

• Come in a variety of ornate designs and materials

• Design pairs with both doors and small cabinetry 

Cons

• More expensive to install on doors

• Will not fit in all spaces, depending on the placement of the door

• Installation is more complex and not ideal for DIY

Best For: ADA-compliant doors and doors that require a larger swing radius

9. Gate Hinges

There are different types of gate hinges, and the right one depends on the type of gate you have. The most common type is the barrel hinge, which allows gates to open and close smoothly, but some homeowners choose the strap hinge for its aesthetic appeal. 

These hinges are installed with screws and bolts and work best with lightweight gates. If you have a heavy gate or you’re dealing with heavy traffic, consider heavy-duty hinges that can withstand up to 2,000 pounds. If you have a metal gate, weld-on hinges are your only option.

However, if you have a swimming pool, you might need gate hinges that meet the specific safety guidelines required by local ordinances. Check your local laws to ensure your swimming pool gate meets the requirements.

Pros

• Various types to choose from depending on the gate type

• Heavy-duty options are available for heavyweight or heavily used gates

• Some don’t require a cutout for the hinge

Cons

• Installing the wrong hinge could cause the gate to sag

• Only one hinge option works with metal gates 

Best For: Exterior gates on homes, barns, and swimming pools

Hinge Materials 

Hinges come in different materials to fit your needs or design style. Choose one that can withstand the height and weight of your door or gate. Steel provides the greatest strength, and bronze offers a unique look. You might need additional hinges for heavy doors. Most hinges are available in various sizes, and can be finished to match the decor.

Common hinge materials include:

• Stainless steel

• Aluminum

• Bronze

• Pewter

• Copper

Depending on your desired look, you can have the hinges primed, polished, or plated the hinges.

Cost to Install a Door Hinge 

Replacing a door hinge or other hardware costs $80 to $480, depending on who you hire to install your door and the materials you’re working with. Labor makes up around 85% of the overall cost when you hire a local door repair expert, and materials for this type of job are budget-friendly. 

The costs can go higher if you buy a specialty door hinge or one that is difficult to install, like a continuous hinge. Finally, the type of door will significantly affect the overall cost, as a heavy, solid oak door will be more challenging to work with than a light, hollow-core door.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

If you replace a hinge yourself, you will only have to pay for the hinge and possibly some shims to support the door while you work. Expect to pay between $3 and $200 in materials to replace a door hinge yourself. 

These savings are impressive, and if the installation is straightforward, you can complete the job quickly. However, only DIY more complicated hinge installations if you have extensive experience. If you feel uncomfortable lifting your door or using a router or chisel to cut a mortise, or the doorframe is severely damaged, hire a pro instead.