How to properly screw butterfly hinges onto a door: step-by-step instructions for installing butterfly hinges

Along with purchasing a door, you need to choose the right fittings. The most important part is the loops; they will hold the fabric in place. It is advisable to immediately purchase a quality product so that you do not have to replace anything in the future. Butterfly hinges for interior doors are considered the most popular on the market. They are more durable than other options, reliable, and also safe. They are called “butterflies” because when open they look like this insect.

Fittings for installing an interior door Source deladom.ru

Advantages of hinged hinges

Typically, butterfly hinges are used as fittings for the first attempt at installing an interior door. They are characterized by the following advantages:

Relative strength and wear resistance. Typically, this fittings are made of stainless steel or brass and coated with a galvanic layer, which provides additional resistance to mechanical wear.
Easy installation. The hinges do not require insertion, so inserting them does not require the help of a specialist.
Comfort of use. The design of the fittings includes bearings that ensure smooth operation and no squeaking.
Versatility. Suitable for left and right door mounting.
Aesthetic appearance. The stylish and modern shape of the hinges goes well with many interior styles. A wide range of colors allows you to choose fittings in accordance with the shade of the door.

To hang a standard size canvas, it is enough to purchase two loops designed for loads from 40 to 100 kg.

Trouble-shooting

If a visual inspection reveals minor mechanical damage, such as:

Various colors of butterfly loop

deformation of the metal pin;
small crack in the groove;
small crack in fasteners.

You can easily fix these problems yourself. To do this, disassemble the door hinges, carefully align the pin using a hammer and pliers.

Scheme of fastening the door to a butterfly hinge

If the problem is hidden in minor damage, then you can use instant glue and sealant that will reliably join the damaged parts. It is worth noting that even a slight deformation of the pin can lead to incorrect operation of the entire hinge group, so when performing a visual review of the product, pay special attention to the pin.

Disadvantages of butterfly loops

The disadvantages of card loops include:

Their lack of reliability. Due to the fact that the fittings are located on the outside of the canvas, it is easy to dismantle for the purpose of hacking.
Inability to screw door hinges onto a door equipped with a hinged strip around the entire perimeter.
Not suitable for hanging techno-style doors with the illusion of no fastening.

Experts identify several features of butterfly awnings that must be taken into account before installing hinges on an interior door:

the need to accurately screw the hinges to perfectly fold the sides of the canopy to avoid unevenness of the door and problems during operation;
frequent appearance of a small gap, which is a side effect of loop cards;
impossibility of removing the door leaf without unscrewing the hardware.

Butterfly hinges are best suited for lightweight interior doors. To hang heavy interior or entrance structures, it is better to give preference to other more reliable fittings.

When analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of these products, you need to decide whether you will install a butterfly hinge or give preference to other, more suitable fittings.

Materials of manufacture and dimensions

Due to the fact that technological progress has come quite far, butterfly loops are made from a variety of materials. The structure is made according to your own drawing, as well as from various materials. But it is important to take into account the characteristics of the metal.

Brass is resistant to external factors.
Steel is resistant to temperature changes and high humidity (no corrosion).
Zinc hinges are relatively inexpensive, but there are a few things to keep in mind when installing awnings on interior doors. This metal is susceptible to corrosion and may break if used frequently. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the product does not get wet. And if squeaks or noises appear, it is necessary to lubricate the hinges.

Zinc butterfly hinges Source baucenter.ru
Based on size, hinges are divided into two types: 10x3 cm and 12.5x3 cm. In two versions, the thickness of the fasteners is approximately 2-3 mm. They are also called “four” and “five”, respectively, but these names are used mainly by craftsmen or sellers. This indicates the dimensions in inches.

For a regular interior door, two parts are needed, but if the door is heavy and made of heavy material, then it is advisable to install three or four fasteners.

Four-piece loops are made for lightweight fabric Source plitochkin.ru

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in doors, windows, related fittings and works

How to install butterfly hinges on doors yourself

For those who do not know how to embed hinges into an interior door, let us explain that this process consists of the following steps:

applying special markings for hinges to the surface of the door leaf, as well as to the surface of the door frame;
using a drill to drill holes for hinges in pre-marked places;
checking the tightness of the door connection;
checking the functionality of the door.

How to secure the door frame and install butterfly hinges on the interior door will directly determine their service life. The color range is not that wide. Most often there are imitations of various metals. In particular, copper, gold, bronze, or nickel. Butterfly door hinges can be either matte or glossy.

For those who do not know how to install hinges on an interior door, we provide detailed instructions.

Apply markings to the surface of the door leaf and the surface of the door frame;

Install the rotary axis, which is the main structural element and which ensures the functioning of the entire mechanism.
Measure 20 cm from the top and bottom edges of the door.

We make markings

Place the loop at the mark.
Attach the plates using self-tapping screws.

We attach the hinge to the box:

insert the canvas into the box, in the same way mark with a marker the location of the other part of the loop on the outer border;
place one part of the butterfly in place, circle the points for the holes with a marker;
carefully drill holes, place the product in place and fasten it with screws;
unscrew the loop from the end, then attach it to the outer area, use an awl to mark the locations for the holes;
make holes and secure the hinges with self-tapping screws, first attaching the inner part of the hinge, and then attaching the outer side to the box.

This design is suitable for almost any type of door leaf, with the possible exception of heavy solid oak doors. Hinges for heavy doors are slightly different from ordinary ones; they have a thicker flange and have built-in bronze bushings.

For greater clarity, we recommend watching a selection of videos on installing butterfly hinges.

Video:

Solving possible installation problems

Since the ideal installation of this type of fastener is possible only with a perfectly flat door leaf (which is rare), some shortcomings may arise during the work: non-critical, but nevertheless requiring correction. We'll tell you how you can correct possible defects that appeared during the installation process.

It is important to correctly set the gap between the door and the frame

The most common problem when installing butterfly hinges is the gap between the hinge plate and the door frame. If there is such a defect, this means that the door will not be able to close tightly, which over time will lead to loosening of the structure and rubbing of the threshold. A small spacer made of cardboard, wood chips, or rubber band (even a match can do) solves this problem. The presence of such a gasket will slightly worsen the quality of installation, however, it will successfully solve the gap problem. If you are not satisfied with the fact that the butterfly hinge plates close too tightly, you can “drown” one part of the hinge a little into the thickness of the door frame.

Features of overhead fittings

Installation specialists call butterfly hinges “card hinges.” This most likely happens because they have the ability to fold. The main feature of this piece of fittings is that its adjacent parts, when closed, have the ability to hide in each other. This allows you to mount this element on the door frame, while the counter parts are superimposed on the plane of the door leaf. It is worth highlighting the advantages of this type of loops:

They allow installation work to be carried out in an accelerated manner;
There is no need to insert a groove. It is enough to make markings and screw on the “wings”;
Even if the door is non-standard, it is easy to install using such hinges;
No special equipment is required for installation work. It is enough to have a screwdriver, a construction pencil and a ruler on hand;
The cost of this fittings is lower than traditional hinge options.

What is important is that there are a huge number of variations of butterfly loops. They are produced in various sizes, shades, and differ in the metal used and density. An important feature of this fittings is the built-in bearings. This fact immediately suggests that, unlike ordinary loops, the butterfly will last much longer. The main thing is to install it correctly. However, I shouldn’t place high hopes on this hardware, because there are also disadvantages:

The first thing you need to know about the butterfly hinge is that it is designed for lightweight door structures. With its help, it is easy to install a plastic or wooden door, but a product made of metal or other heavy material is not. One loop can support no more than 15 kg of weight, which means that a canvas weighing more than 20 kg must be installed on two or three butterflies;
If in the future a person wants to dismantle the canvas, then the screws will have to be unscrewed, which will damage the doorway and require cosmetic repairs;
During installation, there must be a perfect box and opening: if there is even the slightest deformation, the device will not fit into place properly. Subsequently, such a design will not work for long. That is why it is worth checking the evenness of the corners before starting work.

Reviews from experts are contradictory. Some argue that, as long as they are kept to the level, the butterfly hinge is a universal part, while others say that it is better to make grooves and put the door on traditional hinges to be sure that the device will last for several decades. There is only one consensus on one point: if the door leaf is not heavy, then using a “butterfly” is more than advisable.

Common Mistakes

The most harmless thing is that it may be an incorrect indentation from the edge of the canvas. If the hinges are installed correctly, but too close to the edges, then you will simply ruin the appearance.

The distance to the edge of the canvas is too small.

The next and most common mistake is when people confuse the installation locations: the small inner part of the hinge is attached to the box, and the large outer part is attached to the canvas. This setup is dangerous for several reasons.

If the outer part of the loop runs along the edge of the canvas, then the holes will be at a distance of a couple of millimeters from the edge, respectively, if you slightly skew the screw and it will come out from the side, or you may get caught in a knot and then the outer edge will break off altogether.

The holes are too close to the edge.

If installed correctly, the holes in the small part of the butterfly will be located almost in the center of the door leaf, which means there is no need to worry about any cracks or distortions.

Correct installation of the loop on the canvas.

Things are no better with the box. The photo shows that the holes are too close, and the thickness of the lightweight box is small, so it can burst under load.

The inner part of the butterfly cannot be attached to the box.

In addition, the box is usually attached to the wall with anchors in 3 places - these are two points under the hinges and one in the lock area. If we do everything as expected, then we will have 2 places left where we can drive the anchor and cover it with a loop, otherwise the anchor will be visible, which is also not very good.

Points at which fastening anchors for the box can be driven.

There is one more nuance: during installation, all hinges must be strictly parallel to each other. The slightest distortion vertically or horizontally will lead to the door starting to “play” and eventually the hinge will burst or the screws will break out.

Vertical and horizontal skew of the loop is unacceptable.

Details on how to remove a Euro door from its hinges

European-style entrance and interior structures are predominantly produced with screw-in hinges. They are more difficult to dismantle than card ones - you need to be extremely careful and start working from the lower fasteners, since the main weight falls on the upper parts, and you need to start working in the closed position. The procedure is as follows:

close the door;
pull out the hinge with your fingers or using a tool;
hold the pin with pliers or your hand;
gradually pull it up and turn it;
As soon as the fastening element is detached, you can remove the canvas.

Video description

This video shows how to properly install butterfly hinges

To install hinges on interior doors, you do not need to make cutouts in the panels and doors, which greatly simplifies the task and saves time:

The first step is to attach a loop to the side of the canvas at a distance of 200-250 mm from the edge to mark the holes for fastening.
Afterwards, indentations are made on the marks with a drill. If you start screwing in the screws right away, the material may crack. This will also create the correct direction for screwing. The inner part is attached to the canvas, because it is problematic to mark the location of the inner side on the box.
Next, the distance is measured with a ruler and marks are placed for the screws.

"Butterflies" are very easy to install.

Since the hinges have a non-separable design, you must first drill holes everywhere, and then immediately install the entire finished structure. It is advisable to install the mechanism first on the door, and then on the frame.

During the installation process, sometimes there is a snag: the strip does not fully contact the door. If the situation is not changed, the hinges will not fully connect when the door is closed or will “play.” You can eliminate this problem by placing a strip of paper or elastic under the bar, on the side where it fits tightly.

The door will close tightly if done correctly.

Troubleshooting

After all structural elements have been removed, you can begin to identify faults. To do this, perform the following series of actions:

mortise hinges are assembled into a single mechanism so that the rotary axis rotates around this axis;
further, using rotational movements, check for free movement of the pin in the groove;
after this, the loop should be visually inspected for mechanical damage and cracks;
As soon as a malfunction is identified, it should be eliminated;
If there is serious mechanical damage, the product will no longer be repairable and it will be much easier to purchase new hinge mechanisms.

If the overhead internal fittings are not damaged, and the problem is that the pin moves too tightly in the groove, then the groove should be filled with a special lubricant, which should also be applied to the pin itself. It is worth noting that only material that does not have a detrimental effect on the metal can be used as a lubricant. Otherwise, you risk having to quickly replace the hinges or repair them.

How to lubricate butterfly hinges

There is no need to lubricate anything right away, since they already have factory lubricant. But with daily use it becomes less and an unpleasant sound appears. To get rid of it, you need to pour a little lubricant into the moving mechanism.

There are four options for lubricating the butterfly hinges of interior doors:

The easiest and most effective method is the use of sewing machine oil. But not everyone has such liquid.
The modern way is to use WD-40, but not everyone has lubricant either. It is without a greasy base and one or two injections are enough for the loop to stop being smeared.
The third method is vegetable oil, but this method does not last long.
And the last option, which also won’t last long, is a pencil. It is inserted into the mechanism and needs to be moved. The stylus will crumble and treat the inner surface.

WD-40 effectively lubricates hingesSource amazon.com

In order not to damage the mechanism and lubricate the hinges correctly, you need to understand the technology:

The door must be opened all the way and secured so that it does not move.
The oil is poured inside with a syringe with a needle, after which it is necessary to remove the fixation.
Next, the mechanism needs to be developed (close and open the door several times), this will disperse the lubricant.

Since these hinges cannot be removed due to their installation, if the problem is not eliminated by lubrication, it is necessary to replace the structure completely.

Troubleshooting

After all structural elements have been removed, you can begin to identify faults. To do this, perform the following series of actions:

mortise hinges are assembled into a single mechanism so that the rotary axis rotates around this axis;
further, using rotational movements, check for free movement of the pin in the groove;
after this, the loop should be visually inspected for mechanical damage and cracks;
As soon as a malfunction is identified, it should be eliminated;
If there is serious mechanical damage, the product will no longer be repairable and it will be much easier to purchase new hinge mechanisms.

Hidden

They are called 3D loops. Hidden loops are distinguished into:

Adjustable;
Unregulated.

To repair an adjustable hidden hinge:

Remove all covers hiding the screws;
Using the key that comes with the hinge, loosen the necessary screws to align the door height, along the gap between the door frame or horizontally;
Align the door;
Secure the door leaf by screwing the screws back.

The instructions for hidden hinges contain an illustration of the rules of use. It clearly shows the bolts and what parameter of the door they are aimed at regulating.

Non-adjustable hinges are made from strong materials and are distinguished by their reliability. But they are not subject to any type of adjustment. If a hidden non-adjustable hinge breaks, you must buy a new one.

Trouble-shooting

If a visual inspection reveals minor mechanical damage, such as:

Various colors of butterfly loop

deformation of the metal pin;
small crack in the groove;
small crack in fasteners.

You can easily fix these problems yourself. To do this, disassemble the door hinges, carefully align the pin using a hammer and pliers.

Scheme of fastening the door to a butterfly hinge

Minuses

However, such a detail has a number of negative qualities:

It is impossible to mount the mechanism on heavy solid wood panels. The part is overlapped, not cut in, so it cannot ensure reliability when operating heavy structures.
To remove the canvas, you have to unscrew the mechanism. This type of fittings does not provide for a detachable hinge.
Installation is carried out on a perfectly smooth surface. If there is a bevel on the canvas or box, this will lead to problems with further use of the mechanism.
The folding of the halves of the part must be perfect. In the absence of this factor, they will spring and hit each other, which will lead to their deformation.

When opening spontaneously

The reason for spontaneous opening/closing of the door may be improper installation of the frame, namely, tilted forward or backward.
To solve the problem, you will need to adjust its position. When opening or closing the door yourself, you should align the frame vertically. In this case, the beam on which the fittings are installed is subject to adjustment. You should also check the hinges for their alignment.

If the box is installed correctly and the fittings are located on the same axis, it is recommended to replace the hinges with new ones. The reason may lie in their wear and tear.

Tools for work

The set of tools that will be useful when adjusting door hinges includes basic tools:

Tape measure or ruler (for accurate measurements);
Pencil or chalk (for marks);
Screwdriver (you can use a screwdriver, but then don’t forget the screws);
Hex key;
Building level;
In some cases you may need: drill, hammer, chisel.

It is better to use construction gloves for safety and hand hygiene reasons.

pros

Since butterfly hinges do not cut into the door leaf, but are attached from above, the preparatory work that is necessary when using standard hinges becomes unnecessary. Simplicity of installation allows you to hang doors easily, quickly, and without much difficulty.
Butterfly hinges have an interesting appearance: a little vintage, but very elegant, and add a unique flavor to any door.
The low cost of this fastener makes it accessible to absolutely everyone.
The hinges are quite reliable and durable. With proper initial installation and careful operation, they can last for many years.
Butterfly hinges make it possible to hang doors on both the right and left sides.

In general, for interior doors this is the best option: fast, convenient, aesthetically pleasing and completely reliable.