Heavy Duty Hinges
At Restoration Online we have a huge range of hinges for internal and external doors, to match every colour of door handle and décor style. Many customers feel overwhelmed when facing hinges – which type of hinge, which size, how many are needed? Our team is here to help you make these decisions and choose the right hinges for your doors.
While hinges may not be the first element of door hardware you notice, they can definitely stick out in the wrong way if they are a colour or finish that does not complement the rest of your hardware. We recommend matching your hinges to your door handles. Polished brass is a great choice for traditional homes in Federation or Edwardian Styles. Art Deco homes often use chrome or antique copper. Matte black is a popular option for Hamptons style homes.
What is a heavy duty hinge?
A heavy duty hinge is stronger than a standard hinge – it is suitable for heavier, larger doors. Commonly used on external doors, however we do have some internal door options as well. These hinges are designed to support heavy doors that are used frequently. Some older Australian homes have doors that are heavier than regular, hollow core doors, so we recommend using heavy duty hinges in these instances.
What is the strongest type of hinge?
We recommend ball bearing hinges as the strongest type of hinge, and most suitable for heavy doors. Unlike standard hinges, they have a ball bearing in between the knuckles. These take the stress off the knuckle and prevent the hinges sticking or squeaking, and allow for the door to open much more smoothly. This is the case particularly with heavy doors.
What hinges for heavy door?
As mentioned above, we recommend ball bearing hinges for heavy doors. However there are a couple of other options to consider depending on the type of door you have. Ball bearing hinges are ideal for single, external doors.
If you have a door with an architrave or door frame that protrudes past the door, and the door is recessed, you may want to consider broad butt hinges. These hinges are wider than usual, which allows the door to swing around a door frame, giving it more clearance than a regular hinge. The large size and extra width of broad butt hinges also means they are heavier duty, and can take more weight, so they are ideal for heavier doors.
Parliament hinges act in the same way as broad butt hinges, but have a more ornate shape. They are commonly used on French doors, to allow the doors to open completely and sit 180 degrees against the wall.
For internal doors you may want to install loose pin hinges – these are great because the pin can be removed so that the doors can easily be taken off the door frame for repainting, as opposed to other types of hinges where every screw needs to be individually unscrewed. We only recommend these for internal doors, not external, for security reasons. Our premium brand Nostalgic Hardware offers a range of heavy duty loose pin hinges, which are made of steel, a much stronger material than brass, meaning these hinges are able to support a heavier than usual door. This range also has some more ornate options with different shaped finials, perfect for adding that traditional, vintage look to your home.
How many hinges should a heavy door have?
The number of hinges does depend on the weight of your door and the type of hinges you choose.
Generally a standard, hollow core door uses two hinges. For heavier doors we’d recommend three, however in some cases two may suffice if you are using ball bearing hinges. When the door has glass in it, we would always recommend three, just to be safe.
This is something we advise checking with your builder if you’re unsure. They can usually also advise the type and size of hinges your doors require.
How do I order heavy duty hinges?
We make the ordering process super easy. Add the quantity of hinges you require to the cart, and head to the checkout. Before placing your order, it is worth considering what other items you may require. Do you already have door handles and locks and latches? If not, we have a huge range on Restoration Online, including lever door handles and door knobs, and entry door handlesets.
If you already have your handles and locks, you may want to also think about door stops– these will protect the paint on your wall and stop the door handle from hitting the wall. This is especially important with heavier doors, which can cause more damage than regular doors.
Once you have added all the items you need to the cart, follow the prompts to enter your details and place your order. We have an $11 flat rate postage fee for hardware and handles, regardless of how many items you order, so its definitely worth placing all your items together on one order to save on postage! We deliver Australia-wide, including Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Brisbane, as well as to all regional areas.
If you require any help choosing the right hinges for your door, our knowledgeable team is here to help, so feel free to give us a call, send an email or chat to us on Live Chat, and we can walk you through selecting the items you need.
