Blum hinges are the industry standard for concealed European-style cabinetry. The core types are categorized by mounting style, integrated features, and specific door applications.
The five most well known types of hinge are butt hinges, spring hinges, tee hinges, parliament hinges and cabinet hinges. Butt hinges are particularly well known.
Distinguishing features of Blum hinge systems
You will find the Blum logo and the CLIP mechanism on the hinge arm. The Blum logo must be located in the position shown here. To verify the authenticity of the CLIP mechanism, loosen the hinge from the mounting plate.
Blum's "110 Plus" straight arm clip top hinge for frameless overlay cabinets. This hinge is the same as the Blum 110 degree straight arm hinge, but it has the following additional features: Accommodates a larger overlay, up to 22mm (7/8").
INSERTA is the Blum term for a tool-free installation hinge. EXPANDO or Expanding Dowels - The Expanding dowels mounting type fixes the hinge to the cabinet with dowels that are expanded into place with screws.
Although the 110° hinge will work up to 26mm at a push, it may leave unsightly gaps, whereas a 95° thick door/profile hinge would allow much more adjustment at a very slight compromise in throw. However, if 95° is seen as too little throw, then we can suggest the 125° hinge.
The main difference between Blum Tandem and Salice Progressa is in their synchronization and application versatility. Salice Progressa uses a precision-engineered rack-and-pinion system to keep both drawer slides perfectly synchronized, ensuring smooth, even movement under heavy loads.
The three main types of hinges are butt hinges, concealed hinges, and continuous hinges. Butt hinges are visible when the door is closed, concealed hinges are hidden, and continuous hinges run the full length of the door for maximum support. Understanding these hinge varieties is just the beginning.
For 21″ deep cabinets, use 18″ slides. For 18″ deep cabinets, use 15″ slides. Choose a Heavy Duty option for extra weight capacity and/or length. The drawer slide length you choose must match the drawer box depth.
Self-closing mechanisms pull doors or drawers shut automatically. Soft-closing mechanisms go a step further, using hydraulic or pneumatic dampers to slow the door down, ensuring a silent, cushioned close. Most high-quality soft-close hinges inherently include a self-closing feature.
Blum is one of the world's leading manufacturers of hardware for high-quality kitchens and cabinetry, for enhanced convenience and a better quality of living.
Where the hinge goes determines what type you'll need. Door hinges support interior and exterior doors. Strap or T-strap hinges are typically for large swinging doors or gates. Spring hinges are for self-closing doors, such as garages and screen doors.
Locate the hinge body hole with the centre of the hole located 22.5mm from the edge of the door's edge. You can set them anywhere on the length of the door but 75mm from the top and bottom usually works well.
The strongest hinge type depends on the application, with heavy-duty weld-on barrel hinges supporting the most weight (up to 3,000 lbs), while continuous (piano) hinges provide the best load distribution for full-length fixtures. Ball-bearing hinges are the most common choice for heavy commercial doors.
The best hinges for a front door are Ball-Bearing Mortise Hinges equipped with Non-Removable Pins (NRP). Ball-bearing hinges handle the weight of heavy exterior doors smoothly and prevent sagging, while the non-removable pin ensures the hinge cannot be hammered out from the outside when the door is closed.
To find the exact Blum hinge you need, you first need to determine your cabinet type, door overlay, and mounting plate.
Blum is an industry leader in premium drawer hardware, and the Tandem slides set the standard for quality. These slides mount hidden under the drawer, preserving clean lines and a high-end look. The Blumotion soft-close mechanism ensures each drawer glides silently and closes gently every time.
The numbers indicate the degree to which the hinge allows the door to open: Blum 95-degree hinges allow for a more limited opening, suitable for situations where space is restricted, while Blum 110-degree hinges offer a wider opening, providing easier access to the cabinet's interior.
Hinges are categorized by their function, mounting style, and application. The right hinge depends on whether you are working on a heavy entry door, a kitchen cabinet, or a specialty box.
Butt hinges are the most common type of hinge, and are used for a range of lightweight interior and exterior doors.
A butterfly hinge is a decorative, surface-mounted hinge known for its wide, wing-like metal leaves. Unlike standard concealed hinges, it is designed to be fully visible when a door or lid is closed. It adds a classic, vintage, or rustic aesthetic to furniture and cabinets.
Powered by BLUM
Here's the clincher: many of IKEA's hinges are made by BLUM, a world-renowned Austrian manufacturer known for precision engineering and top-tier quality. BLUM hinges are highly respected in the cabinetry world, and knowing they're behind IKEA's hardware only adds to the trust factor.
Blissy and Kitsch both offer popular beauty sleep accessories, but they differ significantly in material and price. Blissy features high-end, 100% pure mulberry silk, whereas Kitsch provides affordable, vegan satin made from polyester.
Blum Hinges are often considered the gold standard in professional cabinetry. Their CLIP top BLUMOTION series integrates the soft-close mechanism directly into the hinge cup, producing a controlled and silent close. Highlights: Integrated soft-close with adjustable damping.