Whether you're staking down holiday inflatables, pitching a tent for a backyard campout, or bracing for hurricane season, one thing’s for sure: you need gear that stays put.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Step 1: Determine the Type of Cabinet
Step 2: Find and Measure Your Cabinet Door Overlay
Step 3: Decide Between Decorative vs. Concealed Hinges
Step 4: Cabinet Hinge Install Requirements
Beyond the Basics: Soft Close, Self-Close, and More Features
Do you need to buy replacement hinges or new ones, but don’t know where to start?
This guide makes it easy to determine what you need, whether it's kitchen cabinet hinges or cabinet door hinges elsewhere in your home.
We'll take you step-by-step through your choices, offer installation tips, and highlight key features for hinge upgrades.
Step 1: Determine Type of Cabinet
The first and most important step is identifying the type of cabinet you have. The two most common cabinet types are face frame and frameless.
Face Frame Cabinets
Face frame cabinets are the most standard type of cabinet in the U.S. They are composed of a wood frame set around the cabinet box. The cabinet door attaches to the frame.
This design is known for its traditional appeal and often favored in homes that lean toward classic or transitional styles.
Face frame cabinets are more decorative in nature, allowing for a variety of hinge types and door overlays for enhancing the overall look. With the right hinges, face frame cabinets can have special flair that elevates your room decor.
Frameless Cabinets
Frameless cabinets, also known as “European” or “Euro” cabinets, are less common in the U.S. market. As the name suggests, they lack the frame around the box. The cabinet door attaches directly to the box.
Known for their straightforward construction, frameless cabinets offer a sleek, minimalist look that’s ideal for contemporary spaces. They offer a modern, clean aesthetic in your kitchen or bath.
Designed with functionality in mind, frameless cabinets provide full access to the cabinet interior and maximize storage space. Their modern appearance pairs with hidden or European-style hinges, making them a favorite for streamlined, clutter-free designs.
Overall frameless cabinet design prioritizes access and efficiency.
Step 2: Find and Measure Your Cabinet Door Overlay
An incompatible overlay might prevent proper installation and even require returning the item. It's critical to understand what overlay means and how to measure it.
Almost all types of cabinets involve an "overlay" measurement, but the term "overlay" is used to describe both the cabinet and the hinges.
A cabinet's overlay is the amount that the door covers (or overlays) the surface behind it when it is closed.
A hinge's overlay identifies the cabinet overlay that it will be compatible with.
These overlays must match for the hinges to work properly!
How To Measure the Overlay
With the cabinet door closed, first mark the location of the hinge-side edge of the door on the frame or sidewall behind it. Then, measure the distance from this mark to the cabinet opening (the inner edge of the frame/sidewall behind the door).
Tip: Putting a piece of painters tape on frame/sidewall when marking can help protect your cabinets and improves visibility.
Types of Cabinet Door Overlays & Insets
The following are common terms used to describe different-sized overlays you’ll find on product web pages or in-store packaging.
Full and Partial
A full overlay is one where the door covers most or all of the cabinet frame. Commonly measures around 1¼".
Half Overlay
Referred to as either partial or half overlay, this is where the door covers only part of the frame. Typical measurements include: ¼", ½", or 1".
Standard Overlay
A common hinge style where the door partially covers the cabinet frame. Actual overlay varies by design, but typical sizes include: ¼", ½", ⅝", ¾", 1", and 1¼".
WATCH OUT!
“Half overlay” means the door covers half the frame width.
“½ -inch overlay” means the door extends ½" over the frame. These are not always the same.
Difference Between Overlay and Inset Hinges
The way the cabinet door fits into the cabinet frame determines whether an overlay or inset hinge is used.
Inset hinges are specifically for inset-style doors. This type of door sits inside the cabinet frame, flush with the front. They are less common and require special hinges. These are:
· Full/flush inset: Door is fully recessed and flush with the cabinet face.
· 3/8-inch inset: Only ⅜" of the door is recessed; the rest protrudes. Requires specific ⅜" inset hinges.
Inset cabinet doors sit inside the cabinet box, flush with the frame
Step 3: Decide Between Decorative vs. Concealed Hinges
Cabinet door hinges can also be classified as either decorative or concealed. Your choice will depend mainly on step one, your cabinet door type.
Decorative hinges are visible and add style to the cabinetry. They are great additions for armoires, chests, jewelry boxes, or other furniture pieces. This type of visible hinge is usually only available for face frame cabinets.
Concealed hinges offer a clean, modern look as they remain hidden from view inside the cabinet box. Commonly used in kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and TV stands, these hinges are essential for frameless or euro cabinets due to limited space on the side walls for visible hinges.
Note: Concealed hinges often require 35mm bore holes or mortises to install. The mortise is a cut-out in the cabinet door where the hinge body is attached and sits flush with the door.
Step 4: Cabinet Hinge Install Requirements
Depending on your DIY motivation, skills, or the limitations of your cabinetry, you may decide to choose certain hinges based on what’s required to install them.
Face Frame Options
Non-mortise hinges are also called surface mount hinges. They offer a straightforward installation, only needing a drill or screwdriver.
Semi-wrap hinges are a type of non-mortise hinge that is only partially visible from the outside. The semi-wrap design dictates where the screws are installed, but the installation method is the same as non-mortise.
Frameless Cabinet Options
Euro or 35mm cup hinges refer to a feature of Euro concealed hinges that requires a 35mm bore hole in the cabinet door to install. Your cabinet may already have this “cut out”, if not, you would have to create a bore hole to use these hinges.
Beyond the Basics: Soft Close, Self-Close, and More Features
Now that we’re clear on cabinet frame types and the hinges that go along with them, let’s talk about features that increase functionality.
The most common upgrades are self-closing and soft-close door hinges.
Soft-close hinges feature a damper that prevents noisy kitchen cabinets. The damper “brakes” the speed of the door, ensuring smooth closure. That means no slamming! This feature can be a game-changer for busy households.
Self-close hinges pull doors to a close automatically when the door approaches a certain distance or angle from cabinet box.
If you’ve ever bumped into a cabinet door left ajar or just can’t stand the cluttered look of partially closed doors, self-close hinges are for you. It helps ensure doors close completely every time, reducing the chance of them being accidentally left open.
What About Adjustable Hinges?
If you’ve ever installed cabinet doors, you know that getting them perfectly aligned can be a bit of a puzzle. That’s where adjustable cabinet hinges come in.
Many modern hinges let you make small tweaks – up, down, side to side, even in and out – just by turning a screw. It’s a simple feature, but it can save you a lot of frustration and help your doors sit just right without having to start from scratch.
How Much Do You Want Your Door to Open?
The opening angle dictates how far the cabinet door can open. How you use the cabinet and the space around it will influence the opening angle. A wide-angle hinge will typically have an opening range of more than 120 degrees.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right cabinet hinge doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether your cabinets are face frame or frameless, once you know your overlay and hinge style, you're already halfway there.
Ready to upgrade your cabinets? Remember these 4 simple steps.
- Identify your cabinet type: face frame or frameless
- Measure your overlay: it’s key to getting the right fit
- Pick your hinge style: decorative or concealed
- Check install requirements: match your tools and skills you need to get started
Bonus step: Consider upgrades like soft-close, self-close, or adjustable features
Now you’re set to shop with confidence. Visit your local big box home improvement retailer to purchase quality, long-lasting hinges.
