Door and Window Hardware: Different types of Hinges and Locks

by DoItYourself Staff

Pivot Hinge

Mounts at the top and bottom of the door leaving a small wafer of metal exposed.

Commonly used on furniture doors or where doors are intended to be inconspicuous.

Butt Hinge

Fits between the butt of the door and the frame.

Only the hinge pin is exposed on the inside of the door.

The most common type is the loose pin hinge that has a removable pin for easy removal of the door.

Spring Hinge

Closes the door automatically.

Double acting types are commonly used on café doors that swing in both directions.

Strap Hinge

Specifically designed for surface applications.

Provides greater support for wide doors.

Since they may be exposed, they are available in ornamental style.

T-Hinge

Shaped like the letter T.

Because it is exposed, some are available in ornamental styles.

The vertical strap is secured to the frame while the horizontal strap is secured to the door.

Commonly used on gates and cabinet lids.

Continuous Hinge

Also called piano hinges.

Comes in sizes up to 72” long.

Fits along the entire length of the door.

Provides protection against warping.

Frequently used on chest lids and cabinets

Gate Hinge

Used for gates.

Consists of an L-shaped screw that screws into the post.

The L shape holds a strap that is screwed into the gate.

Door Closer

Closes the door at a controlled speed. Usually used on storm and screen doors.

Operates with a spring and piston. When the door is pulled open, the spring inside the cylinder is depressed, thus exerting pressure to pull the door closed automatically. The piston controls the speed. An adjusting screw allows the user to change the speed of the closing.

A closer made for the disabled has an automatic hold-open feature that engages when the door is opened about 90º. A wheelchair occupant can tap the door again in the opening direction to close it automatically.

Interior door closers have a canister-like apparatus mounted on the door and a knuckle-joint arm to push the door closed. A spring-loaded closer is another type that can be installed on existing door hinges.

Use closer reinforcements to attach to the frame to provide a stronger anchor.

Door Plates

Kick plates protect the bottom of the door from scuffing.

Push plates provide a non-marring surface where the user can push the door open.

Pull plates provide a handle to open doors.

Adds a decorative touch to doors.

Available in a variety of materials, including brass, stainless steel and anodized aluminum.

Threshold

A strip fastened to the floor beneath a door.

It usually covers the joint where two types of floor material meet.

Can be made of metal, aluminum or wood.

It may have a rubber strip in the center to aid in weatherproofing.

An astragal is a molding or strip that covers or closes the gap between the edges of a pair of doors. Some types overlap while others meet at the centerline of the gap.

Screen/Storm Door Hardware

Includes a variety of latches, strikes and pulls available as original or replacement hardware for screen and storm doors.

Some latches have keyed locks.

Most are designed for easy installation and are weather-resistant.

Most are designed for specific types of doors (wood vs. aluminum) and door thicknesses.

Barn Door Hardware

Made of zinc or galvanized, heavy-gauge steel especially for barns and outbuildings where rough, heavy-duty use is required.

Consists of a hanger similar to a four-wheel trolley with a box-shaped track that acts as a guide.

Use either roll or ball bearings. Ball bearings are considered the superior choice.

Capable of supporting loads from 100 lbs. to 3,000 lbs.

The track is usually mounted to the building by brackets, although some track requires no brackets and is mounted directly to the building with screws.

Other hardware includes flush pulls, bow handles, stay rollers, bottom guides, bumper shoes and end stops.