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What are Invisible Hinges?

Sarah Sullins
Sarah Sullins

Invisible hinges are door hinges that cannot be seen when the door is closed. These can be used for both cabinets and full-sized doors. There are a few types of invisible hinges, such as the barrel hinge, the spring hinge, and the pivot hinge. They are available in many different styles and materials as well.

When a cabinet door is closed, invisible cabinet hinges cannot be seen, which makes the cabinet look clean and not as cluttered. This function can also make cabinets easier to clean. Having clean cabinets typically is important when the cabinets are located in the kitchen.

Man with hands on his hips
Man with hands on his hips

Invisible hinges can be used on full-sized doors to keep the door hidden. The walls in the room and the door can be painted the same color to promote continuity. Since the door has hinges that are invisible, most people won't even be aware that the hinges are there. This works well for areas of a home that need to be private, such as an office area.

An invisible spring hinge works for both cabinets and full-sized doors. When the door is opened at a 45-degree angle, it will close by itself. Many people enjoy this feature because they do not have to worry about doors being left open throughout the house. A pivot hinge will also close by itself. When it is used for a full-sized door, the side of the door with the hinge on it does not have to be rounded.

One advantage to using invisible hinges is that they can be adjusted or moved without causing huge marks and scratches on the door itself. The reason for this is because any marks that are made will not be able to be seen from the outside. A cabinet can be adjusted or moved as many times as needed without the concern of fixing minor imperfections that may occur.

Invisible hinges typically are quite easy to install and uninstall. A lot of these hinges may only require the homeowner to clip the hinge onto the door frame. When it is time to redecorate or change out the shelves in the cabinet, the hinge can be clipped off of the frame. Other hinges, like the invisible barrel hinge, simply require two holes and a dab of glue to keep them in place.

Invisible hinges can be made from a variety of materials like plated steel, stainless steel, zinc alloy, and alloy steel. Most of these materials, however, are covered with a finish. Many of the finishes will be different types of brass, chrome, satin, and nickel. These hinges can typically be found in almost any hardware store and can also be purchased from online retailers.

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      Man with hands on his hips