Cabinet Hinge Guidelines


Face frame construction is the traditional method used to build antique furniture and cabinets. A frame surrounds cabinet opening providing a solid structure to hang doors from. This type of cabinet construction allows for 3 door styles: inset doors, lipped half overlay doors, and overlay doors.

Inset doors are hung flush with cabinet surface. Hinge styles:
  • Butt hinges
  • H hinges
  • Exterior surface mount hinges
  • Knife hinges and Pivot hinges
  • No-mortise hinges
  • Continuous hinges
  • Cylinder hinges/Invisible hinges
  • Lift-off hinges
    • Face Frame Cabinet Construction


    Frame-less cabinet front
    Lipped half overlay doors: have a rabbet /groove around entire back edge of door allowing part of the door to be inset while the remaining thickness of door rests on top of face frame. Hinge Styles:
  • Offset Strap Hinges
  • Offset no-mortise hinges
  • Offset H hinges
    • Traditional overlay doors: are hung on top of face frame. Door overlay is typically 1/2" with a 1" reveal (portion of face frame exposed).
  • Semi concealed Hinges
    • Frameless cabinet construction offers a more modern and European design. Doors are hung from cabinet sides as there is no frame on front of cabinet. This style makes easy access to the interior as there is no frame to get in the way. Full overlay doors are hung from side of cabinet, completely covering face frame. Doors are often hung in pairs - coming together in the center. Hinge Styles:
  • Butt Hinges
  • Continuous hinges
  • No-mortise hinges
  • Wrap around hinge
  • Invisible hinges
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