Hinge Weight The thicker hinges will be stronger and carry more weight. Standard weight hinges commonly have two sets of ball bearings while heavy weight hinges have four ball bearings. The frequency of use or the size and weight or the door are important considerations when deciding which hinge weight to utilize.
In most cases, standard residential door hinges have square edges and are sized in increments of ½”. In other words, their size range is in measurements like 3”, 3 ½”, 4”, etc. Most residential doors need a 3 ½” x 3 ½” hinge, although larger ones, especially front doors, require a 4” x 4” hinge.
They are termed 'heavy duty' due to their weight and leaf thickness. These hinges are generally designed to have leaf thickness of up about . 200 gauge. This can allow the hinges to take on weights ranging from 1,000 lbs. to 40,000 lbs.
Ball bearing hinges look very similar to standard butt hinges. The difference lies at the pivot point, where there are hidden bearings placed between the knuckles of the hinge, either between each knuckle (for heaviest applications) or just a couple of the knuckles. Ball bearing hinges are considered heavy-duty hinges.
Angular contact bearings are the best bearing choice for high-speed applications. One reason is that the balls are smaller and smaller balls weigh less and produce less centrifugal force when rotating.
For unmatched durability, smooth operation, and low upkeep we choose ball bearing hinges. They excel over traditional hinges. This makes them ideal for busy commercial doors and heavy residential ones. They offer better strength, last longer, and operate more quietly.
Ball Bearing Hinge
If we said that ball-bearing hinges are among the most durable on the market, we wouldn't be wrong. The primary purpose of this hinge type is to support doors that are heavy and wide. Just as we mentioned, you will typically find a ball bearing between the two separate knuckles.
Typical weight capacity of T Hinges
For example, aheavy-duty steel 6-inch T hinge might support up to 100 pounds per hinge, while astandard 7-inch T hinge might support 55 pounds.
GRADE 1: mild corrosion resistance. GRADE 2: moderate corrosion resistance. GRADE 3: high corrosion resistance. GRADE 4: very high corrosion resistance.
Heavyweight, ball bearing or 5-knuckle hinges: These hinges work best with heavy doors in high-traffic, high-frequency areas. Heavyweight, anti-friction bearings or 3 knuckle hinges: High-frequency and heavy traffic entryways with heavy weight steel doors would use these hinges.
The disadvantage of using Regular-hinges is that they close with a tap/or a bang; hence, you need to be careful while handling them as when negligent, you could end up hurting your fingers.
The most commonly used metal for door hinges is good old steel. Strong, inexpensive and easy to work with. The manufactures finish (add the color) the steel hinges either by plating with different metals (Brass, Nickel, Bronze...) or by painting. They look and work good in most standard applications for many years.
Heavy-duty gate hinges generally refer to a hinge that is designed to work for gates that carry a lot of weight due to their construction or size. This can be anything from a large bi-folding gate on an industrial unit or a heavy metal frame gate with wooden cladding.
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.
Butt hinges are commonly used types of hinges for doors. The leaves are mounted inside a shallow cut, or mortised, section of the door and frame to allow for a flush and precise fit. Useful for exterior and interior lightweight doors.
COMMERCIAL GRADE HEAVY-DUTY (LL)– doors falling in the low-frequency category that weigh up to 1000 lb must use the HD hinges, along with additional fastener holes. We recommend using rivnuts in the door and frame if the door is complete, extremely heavy or taller than the average doors.
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The heavier the entrance door, the more hinges are used. That is to say, each hinge has its own load-bearing range. If the entrance door is too heavy and the use of 3 hinges cannot meet the demand, 4 hinges will be used to bear the weight of the entrance door together.
Each type of hinge is designed for specific applications and has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Butt hinges are the most common type of hinge and are suitable for most standard doors and cabinets. Continuous hinges are ideal for heavy doors or those that need to open and close frequently.
Continuous hinges are strong because they run the full length of a door or panel, ensuring even load distribution and reducing wear over time. Their heavy-duty design makes them ideal for industrial, commercial, and high-traffic applications.
Gate Width and Weight
If your door is relatively large and heavy, you may want to look at heavy-duty, weld-on, or pintle hinges. For lighter gates, consider a strap, butt, or barrel hinge. Hinges list their load capacity in the product description, which tells you how much weight they can support.
They differ from plain bearing hinges in that they have a steel ball bearing, or buffer, in between the knuckles. Heavy-duty ball bearing hinges have bearings between every knuckle. These units tend to be durable, better performing and less noisy than standard hinges.
Brass is a tensile metal, meaning it can bend. Brass is used in bearings, valves, and moving parts because it can flex but not break easily. Its flexibility and durability make brass the perfect material for sturdy hinges. Brass has excellent corrosion resistance, making it unlikely to rust and last much longer.
If your door has a width wider than 37 inches or goes up to 48 inches, you can make use of an extra hinge for added support. The extra hinge will help support the additional tension and weight upon the frame, owing to the door's wider width.