If you are working on a hollow-core, lightweight door, you can perhaps get away with using only two hinges. However, if you are working with a solid-core or an exterior door, you cannot work with less than three hinges at least.
A solid core, steel exterior door should have 3 hinges. This is usually galvanized steel over a cedar or fir slab for fire protection and solidity. It's pretty heavy. An 8′ solid oak door has 4--5. Oak is a very dense wood. This will weigh more than a comparable steel covered door.
A door with a solid core, for instance, will weigh more than a hollow door of the same size. To prevent them from sagging, heavy doors such as this may require three hinges. Installing a door will three hinges rather than two hinges will reduce the risk of it sagging. Doors can sag over time.
Most domestic doors, which tend to be between 60″ and 90″ in height, will require three. However, you can fit lighter internal doors less than 60″ in height with only two hinges.
For best performance, we advise using three hinges, offering spring tension, swing speed, and latch speed control for a smooth closing.
General rules to follow with Door Hinges
The top hinge should be located 150mm from the top of the sash, the bottom hinge should be located 150mm from the bottom of the sash, and the middle flag hinge should be positioned at an equal distance centrally between the top and bottom of the sash.
Soft close hinges prevent cabinet doors from slamming, enhancing both safety and longevity. The number of hinges needed per door can depend on the door's size, weight, and style. Standard practice suggests using two to three hinges for most cabinet doors.
It's standard for hollow core doors to have two hinges, unless the height is above 2340, but any door semi solid to solid needs more than two hinges.
Butt Hinges: These are the most widely used hinges for internal doors, offering a simple and reliable solution. They consist of two rectangular leaves that are joined by a pin, allowing the door to swing open and close smoothly. Square butt hinges are a popular choice for a modern, minimalist look.
The most common hinge size for standard internal doors is 3 inches (76mm). However, heavier or larger doors may require 4 inch (102mm) hinges to support the additional weight and prevent sagging over time. It's crucial to consider the weight and dimensions of your door when determining the ideal hinge size.
If you intend to use new door hinge positions you will need to mark the door hinge positions on the frame and the door, exterior or interior doors should be hinged between 125-150mm (5-6 inches) from the top of the door and 175-230mm (7-9 inches) from the bottom of the door.
This is based on the height and weight of the door. Doors up to 36 inches high will need two hinges, doors 36-60 inches high will need three hinges, and doors 60-84 inches high will need four hinges. How far apart should hinges be? Hinges should be placed every 30 inches on a door.
The barrel of each hinge should extend at least 1/8” outside the surface of the door at its inside edge. For hollow core doors only 2 hinges are required; for solid core doors you will require 3 hinges.
Solid core doors are heavier than hollow-core doors, so you might need help installing them. They also require strong enough hardware to support the weight.
However, if you are working with a solid-core or an exterior door, you cannot work with less than three hinges at least. It would be a great idea to perform the fitting and trimming on your door before you start marking the attachment point for your hinges.
Most internal doors will require at least two hinges for proper support—we recommend three if possible as this helps to spread out the weight more evenly.
Price – Solid core doors are much cheaper than solid wood doors, and although more expensive than hollow core varieties, offer a strength and durability you would not get with hollow doors.
Use two hinges for doors up to 60 inches tall. Use three hinges if the door is between 60 and 90 inches tall. For doors between 90 inches and 120 inches, use four hinges.
A heavy door usually needs three hinges to support it and keep it from getting messed up. If you have a really big or really heavy door, it might need four or more hinges. The number of hinges depends on how heavy the door is, how big it is, and how often you use it.
I prefer to install the hinges to the frame first. If you are using a drill, take care to not overtighten any of the screws in the door or frame as they are small and it is soft wood, they strip easy.
Usually at least 3 hinges need to be fitted on a door. Light weight internal domestic doors may be fitted with only 2 hinges. Doors with a security function need to have at least 3 hinges, as this makes them more difficult to force.
The main advantage of soft-close hinges is their ability to prevent slamming, which makes the kitchen quieter and protects cabinets from wear and tear. Plus, they're a great safety feature for homes with young children.
We always recommend installing 2 Self Closing Spring Hinges per door. If you are using 2, install 1 at the top and 1 at the bottom. The middle hinge can be a standard butt hinge or ball bearing hinge. For taller Commercial Doors, we recommend using up to 4 Commercial Spring Hinges.