External door, hinge positions?
Discussion
JR said:
FWIW structurally the middle hinge should be a lot nearer the top. How important it is depends on the strength of the wood/base material, length and strength of screws, weight of door etc.
thats interesting but ive never seen it in practice. if it were needed then why not put 4 hinges at least to retain the symmetry at not lose any of the structural integrity?Hinge positions are determined by the hinge manufacturer and relate to the load they carry. The Hinges you buy should have some paperwork giving their own recommended positions.
GRADE 7 - For use on 30 min fire doors & 50 kg in weight <<<<--------would be my choice for your application.
GRADE 11 - For use on 30 minute & 60 minute fire doors & 60kg in weight
GRADE 13 - For use on 30, 60 & 120 minute fire doors & up to 75 kg in weight
This is advice for fire and escape doors. Although you are talking about a domestic external door I would still apply these measurements:
One hinge shall be positioned on the centre line of the door height the other two hinges being at 770 mm either side of the centre hinge. This hinge layout gives stability to the door. With fire-resisting doors becoming heavier there is a practice to fit two hinges at the top of the door with the third hinge at the bottom of the door. With this configuration the hinges are positioned as follows; centre line of the top and bottom hinge 250 mm from the top and bottom edge of the door, the centre line of the third hinge is 200 mm from the centre line of the top hinge. I personally don't like this 2 and 1 configuration and always fit one on the centre line unless otherwise specified.
For doors heavier than 160 kg or exceeding 2000 mm in height and 1000 mm in width a recommendation from the hinge manufacturer should be obtained.
HTH
GRADE 7 - For use on 30 min fire doors & 50 kg in weight <<<<--------would be my choice for your application.
GRADE 11 - For use on 30 minute & 60 minute fire doors & 60kg in weight
GRADE 13 - For use on 30, 60 & 120 minute fire doors & up to 75 kg in weight
This is advice for fire and escape doors. Although you are talking about a domestic external door I would still apply these measurements:
One hinge shall be positioned on the centre line of the door height the other two hinges being at 770 mm either side of the centre hinge. This hinge layout gives stability to the door. With fire-resisting doors becoming heavier there is a practice to fit two hinges at the top of the door with the third hinge at the bottom of the door. With this configuration the hinges are positioned as follows; centre line of the top and bottom hinge 250 mm from the top and bottom edge of the door, the centre line of the third hinge is 200 mm from the centre line of the top hinge. I personally don't like this 2 and 1 configuration and always fit one on the centre line unless otherwise specified.
For doors heavier than 160 kg or exceeding 2000 mm in height and 1000 mm in width a recommendation from the hinge manufacturer should be obtained.
HTH
Edited by astroarcadia on Saturday 18th August 08:16
I'm a qualified chippy, and I was taught 6in from top of door to the start of the hinge and 9in from the bottom off the door to the start of the hinge.
Then depending on how heavy the door is you can add another one or even two if its really heavy. But for a front door I would suggest 3 hinges. I have a solid oak front door and that's hung using this formula and the third hinge being centre of the other two hinges.
If you had a really heavy door you would normally put two or even three hinges nearer the top to support the weight of the door. But like I said 3 will be enough for your front door I would have thought. It's not a written rule, but this is how I was taught at college and I've stuck with it ever since.
Kimmy
Then depending on how heavy the door is you can add another one or even two if its really heavy. But for a front door I would suggest 3 hinges. I have a solid oak front door and that's hung using this formula and the third hinge being centre of the other two hinges.
If you had a really heavy door you would normally put two or even three hinges nearer the top to support the weight of the door. But like I said 3 will be enough for your front door I would have thought. It's not a written rule, but this is how I was taught at college and I've stuck with it ever since.
Kimmy
Strangely enough I was in an office in Germany this week and randomly noted that the big doors into the meeting rooms had two big hinges right up close to the top of the door, and one down at the bottom.
Made sense really as the majority of the pulling forces on a door as it swings would be at the top.
Then I saw this thread. Ain't life just full of coincidences.
For the record, when I've hung doors I've used the 6 and 9 rule, and if a 3rd hinge is required I've just stuck it in the middle of the two.
Made sense really as the majority of the pulling forces on a door as it swings would be at the top.
Then I saw this thread. Ain't life just full of coincidences.
For the record, when I've hung doors I've used the 6 and 9 rule, and if a 3rd hinge is required I've just stuck it in the middle of the two.
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