Hinges New Zealand | Door Hinges | Cabinet Hinges

A good hinge is one you never think about again. That depends less on the photo and more on a few plain facts: what is moving, how it is fixed, how far it needs to open and what the hinge is made of. This guide walks through those facts and the kinds of hinge we sell.

Start with what is moving

Think about the door, lid or panel before the hinge. A hollow interior door, a solid timber gate, a kitchen cupboard, a toy box lid and a glass shower screen each call for a different hinge form. Weight matters most. A heavy door on a light hinge sags, binds and wears the screw holes loose. If you have the old hinge, take it off and keep it beside you while you shop.

Measure before you buy

For a butt hinge, measure the leaf height and the open width, and note whether the corners are square or rounded, because a router leaves rounded mortises. For a concealed cabinet hinge, measure the cup diameter, usually 35mm, and work out the overlay: full overlay covers the cabinet side, half overlay shares it with a neighbour, and inset sits inside the frame. For a gate hinge, measure the post and the gap. The product page shows the maker's figures, so compare them with yours.

Fixing, movement and handing

Fixing. A butt hinge sits in a cut mortise, a non mortise hinge screws straight on, a concealed hinge drops into a drilled cup, and a weld on hinge is welded to steel. Movement. Check the opening angle, whether the hinge is self closing, soft close or free swinging, and whether it needs to lift off. Handing. Rising butt and some lift off hinges are made left or right handed, so stand on the pull side of the door and check which way it swings before you order.

Door hinges

A butt hinge is the plain interior door hinge most homes already have. A self closing spring hinge pulls a door shut behind you. A ball bearing hinge carries heavy or busy doors without wearing. An invisible hinge or a pivot hinge hides inside the door for a flush look. Lift off and rising butt hinges let a door come off its frame or lift over carpet. A non mortise hinge needs no chisel, a bifold hinge joins folding panels, and a double action spring hinge swings both ways on a cafe door.

Cabinet hinges

A soft close concealed hinge is the modern kitchen standard: a 35mm cup, clip on arm and a damper that stops slamming. A face frame hinge fits cabinets with a timber frame around the opening. A pie cut corner hinge and a 135 degree corner hinge handle the awkward corner cupboard. For furniture and boxes, solid brass, stainless steel and mini butt hinges do the job and look right.

Gate and garage hinges

A T strap hinge suits shed doors and light gates. A heavy duty gate hinge with adjustment takes a solid timber or steel gate and lets you re-hang it as the post settles. A garage door hinge is numbered by its position on a sectional door, so match the number to the one you are replacing. A weld on trailer hinge and a caravan hinge live outdoors, so look for galvanised or stainless steel.

Continuous and flush hinges

A piano hinge runs the full length of a lid or panel and spreads the load. A flush hinge folds one leaf inside the other, so a thin door needs no mortise. A brass barrel hinge disappears into a drilled hole for a joint you cannot see. A flap hinge suits drop leaves and writing desks.

Lid, table and glass hinges

A box hinge and latch kit finishes a small wooden box. A lid stay holds a chest lid open, and a gas spring lid hinge lowers it slowly so fingers stay safe. A folding table hinge lifts a flip top desk. A frameless glass shower door hinge clamps the glass, so check the glass thickness it takes before you order.

Getting it on time

Most orders arrive within 5 to 10 working days of the order date, and regional addresses can take longer. Working days leave out weekends and public holidays. A few hinges come to us from an overseas warehouse first and show 7 to 14 working days on their page. For a weekend job or a trade booking, order at least two weeks ahead. Delivery is free on orders of $175 or more and a flat $20 under that.

Looking after a hinge

Read the maker's instructions before you fit. Drill pilot holes so the screws bite without splitting the timber. Hang a door on all its hinges before tightening fully, then check the swing. A drop of light oil on the knuckle once a year keeps a steel hinge quiet, and a wipe with fresh water keeps a stainless gate hinge free of salt. This guide is general information, not building or engineering advice.

Your hinge buying checklist

Measure the old hinge or the door. Note the weight of what is moving. Check the fixing: mortise, cup, screw on or weld on. Check the opening angle and whether it is handed. Read the material and finish against where it will live. Count what is in the box and add screws if they are not there. Then check the delivery window against the date you need it.

The short version

Buy for the job, measure before you order, read the facts on the page, and leave enough time for delivery. Every product page here lists the maker's details (size, material, finish, pack count and what is in the box) so you can decide before you order, and 14-day returns cover you if it is not right.