9 Common Types of Door Hinges

So, you've taken on the task of installing a door hinge and suddenly realized how many types of hinges are at your fingertips. Door hinge types vary just as much as doors themselves, and their three main parts—the hinge leaves, pins, and knuckles—sit differently on each style of door. Choosing the best type of hinge for your door keeps it swinging smoothly for years to come. There are nine main types: butt, spring-loaded, ball-bearing, concealed, pivot, strap, continuous, off-set, and gate hinges.

1. Butt Hinge

A butt hinge is the most popular hinge design and comes in a range of styles that open both to the left and the right. On a basic level, the two leaves—the plates that fan out to either side—of the butt hinge butt right up against one another with the knuckle or barrel at the center. 

Butt hinges are often secured within a carved indent in your door, known as a mortise, so the hinge can fit evenly together. They also often include a pin at the center of the knuckle. Removing the door hinge pin is relatively easy, depending on the design.

Best For: Lightweight interior doors

2. Spring-Loaded Hinge

Spring-loaded hinges are a type of butt hinge that includes a spring to ensure the door closes on its own. These hinges come in a range of sizes, tension levels, and materials, making them ideal for everything from heavy exterior doors to lightweight screen doors. The cost to install a new front door, for example, will particularly come down to the type and number of spring-loaded hinges needed to keep the door safely closing behind you.

Best For: Self-closing doors, including screen, porch, and pantry doors

3. Ball-Bearing Hinge

Ball-bearing hinges are the go-to pick for high-traffic doors in your home. The ball bearings between the knuckles of these hinges allow it to carry a higher vertical load than other butt hinges. That being said, they're not always durable enough for large exterior doors. 

Ball-bearing hinges can be a great fix for squeaky doors, but they require a design that can handle more weight over time without letting out that awful squeal.

Best For: Interior doors with heavy traffic, such as pantry doors and closets

4. Concealed Hinge

Living up to their name, concealed hinges are tucked within the structure of a door so they’re not visible from the outside. Not only does this look stylish, but it also offers an added level of security for exterior doors. Concealed hinges are a general category that includes various materials, constructions, and prices.

Best For: Doors that require extra security

5. Pivot Hinge

Pivot hinges include two knife-like leaves that fold together and attach at several points of a door for extra support. In many cases, they also allow the door to swing in both directions, similar to saloon doors in a restaurant or between a kitchen and dining room. Due to their shape, this hinge type is also known as a knife hinge. Pivot hinges often sit at the two ends and the center of a door or a furniture lid for extra support.

Best For: Lightweight doors that require flexibility in both directions 

6. Strap Hinge

While strap hinges look like pivot hinges, they’re more decorative. Strap hinges extend out to either side, often in an ornate pattern. They’re ideal for lightweight doors that are self-closing, such as gates and barn doors. You can also use them on interior doors that could use the extra touch of style, such as pantry doors.

Best For: Gate, barn, and ornamental doors that do not require ample security 

7. Continuous Hinge

Heavy doors that get ongoing traffic benefit from a continuous hinge that runs the length of your door jamb. It's uncommon to see these hinges on home doors, though you will spot them on commercial doors, pianos, and inside heavy cabinet doors. If you get to know the parts of a door, a continuous hinge would run the length of the hinge jamb—the internal board in the doorframe. 

Best For: Heavy, high-traffic doors that need support through the frame

8. Off-Set Hinge

The basic construction of a door doesn't always encourage easy movement. Off-set hinges allow a door to open at a slightly wider radius due to their unique shape. These hinges are often required for ADA-compliant doors and doors that regularly receive wide deliveries. 

Off-set hinges are also helpful in front of a home or apartment to ensure furniture can easily fit through the door. Since these hinges are more complicated to install, it's best to call a door installation team near you when installing them on a large door.

Best For: ADA-compliant doors and doors that require a larger swing radius

9. Gate Hinges

There are different types of gate hinges, and the right one depends on the type of gate you have. The most common type is the barrel hinge, which allows gates to open and close smoothly, but some homeowners choose the strap hinge for its aesthetic appeal. 

These hinges are installed with screws and bolts and work best with lightweight gates. If you have a heavy gate or you’re dealing with heavy traffic, consider heavy-duty hinges that can withstand up to 2,000 pounds. If you have a metal gate, weld-on hinges are your only option.

However, if you have a swimming pool, you might need gate hinges that meet the specific safety guidelines required by local ordinances. Check your local laws to ensure your swimming pool gate meets the requirements.

Best For: Exterior gates on homes, barns, and swimming pools

Hinge Materials 

Hinges come in different materials to fit your needs or design style. Choose one that can withstand the height and weight of your door or gate. Steel provides the greatest strength, and bronze offers a unique look. You might need additional hinges for heavy doors. Most hinges are available in various sizes, and can be finished to match the decor.

Common hinge materials include:

• Stainless steel

• Aluminum

• Bronze

• Pewter

• Copper

Depending on your desired look, you can have the hinges primed, polished, or plated the hinges.