DOOR HINGE GUIDE
Hinges help open and close a door. There are many types of door hinges available for different applications on residential or commercial doors. This guide is intended to help you select the appropriate hinges for your door and is stated as suggestion only.
The best way to replace existing hinges is to buy the same size and quantity of hinges you already have on your door. Below are a few things to consider before buying hinges for a new door or replacing old hinges.
Available Hinge Finishes
We offer architectural finish hinges in the plated steel variety, to satisfy fire-rating requirements. Stainless steel is typically used for exterior outswing applications, due to its excellent rust and corrosion resistance.
US3 Bright Brass
US4 Satin Brass
US10 Satin Bronze
US10B Oil Rubbed Bronze
US15 Satin Nickel
US26 Polished Chrome
US26D Satin Chrome
US32D Stainless Steel
US1D Flat Black
US5 Antique Brass
Available Hinge Types
Radius Corner Standard Hinge
A standard hinge has two leaves that are joined together with a removable pin. The Standard hinge is used with wood doors. Both sides of the hinge have a 5/8” radius. The hinge uses both #10 x 3/4” Phillips flat head screws on the jamb side and #10 x 1” Phillips flat head screws on the door side.
NRP Hinge
A Non-Removable Pin (NRP) hinge have a fixed pin that provide security for outswing units. The RSP NRP Hinge is used with wood doors. Both sides of the hinge have a 5/8” radius. The hinge uses both #10 x 3/4” Phillips flat head screws on the jamb side and #10 x 1” Phillips flat head screws on the door side.
Ball-Bearing Hinge
A ball-bearing hinge has two leaves joined together with a removable pin, but between the knuckles of the leaves are ball-bearings. Ball bearings help protect each hinge pivot for added support and stability and are recommended for use with heavier doors. The RSP ball-bearing hinge is used with wood doors. Both sides of the hinge have a 5/8” radius. The hinge uses both #10 x 3/4” Phillips flat head screws on the jamb side and #10 x 1” Phillips flat head screws on the door side.
Ball-Bearing NRP Hinge
The RSP ball-bearing NRP hinge is used with wood doors. Both sides of the hinge have a 5/8” radius. The hinge uses both #10 x 3/4” Phillips flat head screws on the jamb side and #10 x 1” Phillips flat head screws on the door side.
Square Corner Standard Hinge
A standard square corner hinge has two leaves that are joined together with a removable pin. The RSP Standard hinge is used with wood doors. Both sides of the hinge are square and additional prep is needed on the door and jamb. The hinge uses both #10 x 3/4” Phillips flat head screws on the jamb side and #10 x 1” Phillips flat head screws on the door side.
Square Corner Ball Bearing Hinge
A square corner ball-bearing hinge has two leaves joined together with a removable pin, but between the knuckles of the leaves are ball-bearings. Ball bearings help protect each hinge pivot for added support and stability and are recommended for use with heavier doors. The RSP ball-bearing hinge is used with wood doors. Both sides of the hinge are square and additional prep is needed on the door and jamb. The hinge uses both #10 x 3/4” Phillips flat head screws on the jamb side and #10 x 1” Phillips flat head screws on the door side.
Self-Closing Hinge
A spring hinge includes a self-closing spring mechanism that helps pull the door closed for convenience or meets code requirements that may be applicable in fire door applications. The amount of spring in the hinge is adjustable by including cross pins. An allen wrench can tighten the hinge and a cross pin is inserted in to finalize the adjustment. The RSP self-closing hinge is used with wood doors. Both sides of the hinge have a 5/8” radius. The hinge uses both #10 x 3/4” Phillips flat head screws on the jamb side and #10 x 1” Phillips flat head screws on the door side.
Double Acting Hinge
A double acting hinge is typically used in commercial settings such as restaurants, or homes with doors between kitchen and dining room. The hinge uses #10 x 3/4 Phillips flat head screws.
SOSS Hinge
A SOSS hinge is typically used for a clean look that hides the hinge during closed doors. Most often used in cabinets and bookcase doors. SOSS Hinges demand extra precision during install.
Pivot Hinge
A pivot hinge typically used for a cleaner look, also demands extra precision during install. They come in an array of fine finishes that maintain the quality.
1/4 vs 5/8 Radius Corners - How do you know the radius of your hinge?
One way to determine the radius of your hinge is to get out a ruler or tape measure and measure from the top of the hinge down to where the rounded area of the hinge ends. A hinge with a 5/8” radius will measure 5/8” from the top of the hinge to the bottom of the radius, while a ¼” hinge will measure ¼” from the top of the hinge to the end of the radius.
But what if you don’t have a tape measure handy? If you have 35 cents, then you can easily figure out the radius of your hinge.
Simply take a quarter and a dime and line them up in the corners of your hinge. The quarter will fit inside a 5/8” radius corner, while the dime will fill the inside of a ¼” radius corner.
