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
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