If you have a stuck hinge due to paint buildup, cut through the paint with a utility knife. Then, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the hinge off the cabinet. [3] X Expert Source Eric ShipeHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. Although you can attempt to measure hinges while they are on cabinets, you are more likely to get an accurate result after you remove them.
During this measurement, hold the tape measure over the pin in the middle of the hinge. When you shop for replacement hinges, the open width is the most common measurement used. However, keep track of other measurements for greater accuracy.
The widths are especially important to know when the leaves aren’t equal. Hinges come in all different sizes, so you could easily end up with one that doesn’t fit your cabinet style.
On uneven hinges, the cabinet-side leaf is usually bigger. Remember that it will have the bigger length and width in order to keep the hinge stable as you open and close the door.
The main types of cabinet doors are overlay doors and partial insets. Overlay doors rest over the cabinet surface, while partial insets partially overlap the cabinet surface. Full inset doors are flush with the cabinet surface. They typically come on end cabinets, so measure the overlay of the other doors and get additional hinges of the same size.
Another way to measure the overlay is by marking the edge of the door. With the door closed, make a mark along its hinge side. Use a pencil so you can erase the mark when you’re done.
The overlay is typically 1⁄4 to 1 1⁄2 in (0. 64 to 3. 81 cm). Some doors have a different overlay size. It depends on how the cabinets were built.
Modern inset doors generally use 3⁄4 in (1. 9 cm) inset overlay hinges. There are other hinge sizes available, but they are more difficult to find.
Basically, add the mounting plate width and hinge width together. If the result equals the overlay, then you’re using the right hinge size. Hinges are available at most hardware stores, but they are also available online. If you shop online, you may be able to select an overlay size to see hinges that fit your cabinet’s doors. Mounting plates typically come included with new hinges. It’s the part that fits against the cabinet so you have a spot to attach the hinge.
Check hardware stores or furniture stores that sell cabinets. If you bring the old hinge, the employees will have an easier time recommending a replacement if you need to ask them.
Mortise, or butt, hinges are one of the most common types. A butt hinge has a vertical pin between 2 leaves of the same size. They are used on many types of doors, including many overlay, partial inset, and inset doors. Face-mounted or semi-concealed hinges are for inset doors. This kind of hinge has a very small leaf on one side and a wider one on the other that attaches to the door. Surface-mount or European-style hinges are unusual since they fit inside a door. They are like long, foldable hinges with mounting plates on both ends and work well with full inset doors.
When a hinge is the correct thickness, it will be flush with the cabinet frame. However, if it’s the wrong shape, you won’t be able to fit it into the mortise. If you don’t see any mortises, your cabinet uses no-mortise hinges. These hinges are thicker than normal so the cabinet doors are able to shut properly.
Filling in holes is extra work that isn’t necessary in most cases. It’s fine if you intend on using a different hinge style, but it’s better to avoid it if you don’t need to mess with the cabinet’s finish! Some cabinets also fit inside grooves etched into the door. If your cabinet has hinge grooves, take size measurements of the grooves if needed to ensure the hinges fit in them.
