Furniture hinges without insertion: why are they needed, how to install

Good day to all! It's time to talk about furniture hinges without inserts. Currently, buying such products is not a particular problem. Their price is quite low, but objective shortcomings make you think about whether they are worth buying.

The current range of furniture fittings is huge. Just take a look at what Leroy Merlin or Castorama has to offer.

All overhead furniture hinges can be divided into those that require insertion, that is, the use of a special drill for hinges, as well as simple fastening without preliminary recesses. The second option is easier in terms of do-it-yourself installation. But products without drilling have their obvious disadvantages.

What it is

Before talking about how to install or replace hinges, it is worth noting that the overhead fittings of the type in question are fasteners designed primarily for connecting doors to cabinet furniture.

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Regardless of the intended purpose, color, shape or material of the product, they are united by one feature. This is an installation method, that is, installation on furniture structures. The use of such loops eliminates the need to make special holes for cups. They are simply not provided there. Yes, you may have to drill holes for the screws. But this is done with an ordinary drill, which almost every man has in his household.

This feature saves time and effort. After all, you won’t have to pre-prepare the seats for the hinges. It is enough to make do with the markings.

Possible problems and methods for eliminating them

Since high-quality installation of hinges without insertion can only be done in conditions of a flat web and a straight groove, therefore some shortcomings may arise during the installation process. The most common problem is the formation of space between the plate and the box . This will lead to the fact that the door will not be able to close tightly, and over time the entire structure will become loose and begin to rub against the threshold.

To fix this problem, you will need a gasket; it is made of cardboard, rubber band or a match. Naturally, this will slightly affect the quality of the connection, but the loops will take the desired position.

Important! Some overhead hinges are sold with an additional part that allows the sides of the product to be offset to tightly fit the two halves of the plate.

The second method is to refine the design , turning the overhead model into a semi-overhead model. In other words, one part will need to be cut in; usually, a large plate on the box is chosen for this. Making such a small cut is very difficult, especially considering the shape of the model.

Correct installation will ensure the doors move silently and close tightly. Otherwise, it is better to turn to the old proven version of mortise hinges.

The overhead fastening system without mortise is determined by aesthetic considerations. No matter how carefully the master performs the manipulations, he will not be able to fully preserve the integrity and decorative component of the door. Since there is no need to interfere with the capricious laminated surface, it is advisable to consider a canvas with such fastening for bedrooms, living rooms, offices and other rooms where a stylistic approach is important.

Today, mortise models are still the most popular. This choice is worth making if the doors are too massive and a more durable and reliable structure is required, while decorativeness is not important. However, the clumsy work involved in inserting such hinges is not comparable to the thin and delicate installation of hinges without damaging the wood.

Application area

In terms of materials, these types of hinges can be used for plywood, thin wood, chipboard sheets and more.

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Overhead hinges, which do not require insertion, are most widely used in the assembly of furniture structures. A good example is piano hinges. Depending on the variety, they can also be used to connect doors and small doors, including full-fledged interior and even outdoor structures. They can be found on double-leaf gates, for example. Although in this case it was arrow loops that became most widespread. So it's still worth thinking about.

You could say this. Overhead furniture hinges, which do not require a cut-in during installation, are widely used on panels with a small thickness and on structures where it is simply impossible to make a cut-in.

Features of choosing non-mortise hinges

When going to the store, you should check the weight of the door in advance, since the characteristics of the hinges and their number depend on it. You need to know that manufacturers usually make their own recommendations for the selection of hinges depending on the weight of the doors. The number of loops can be determined using the diagram below.

The number of loops and their installation location can be determined according to the diagram

Explanations for the diagram:

Option 1: the standard door is mounted on three hinges (1 at the bottom, 2 at the top).
Option 2: the lightweight door is mounted on three hinges (at the same distance from each other).
Option 3: a heavy door is attached to 4 hinges (2 on top and 2 on bottom).
Option 4: the high door is mounted on 4 hinges (at the same distance from each other).
Option 5: classic loop arrangement.

The graph shows what width and weight a door can be placed on 2 hinges.

In addition to the number of loops and aesthetic qualities, when choosing loops you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

It is also important to decide what they should be: left, right or universal. The universal hinge can be installed on both the left and right side, while the left can only be installed on the left, and the right can only be installed on the right.
Door hinges are usually made of steel, brass, or stainless steel. Steel hinges are the most affordable, but the decorative coating applied to them wears off quickly. Another disadvantage is that they are sensitive to humidity. Stainless steel hinges are more durable. They are not afraid of humidity and critical temperatures, but they can only be of one color - steel.

Loops in various colors and sizes

It should also be remembered that the more massive the door, the thicker the hinges should be. The standard width is about 2.5 mm (suitable for interior doors), but they can be thinner (for furniture) and thicker (for outdoor doors).
When purchasing hinges for entrance doors, preference should be given to those equipped with a special anti-removal cap, which protects against unauthorized removal of the door.

Varieties

Finding a huge assortment of similar loops in Moscow, St. Petersburg and any other city will not be difficult. The price is reasonable, and installation is extremely simple.

Before you begin installation, you should decide on the option that suits you. Depending on the application, they can be divided into the following subtypes:

Furniture. Now they are used quite rarely. Usually these are furniture designs that are created in a classic style. Also relevant for restoration and repair. They are practically not used on new furniture;
Interior and entrance doors. They look aesthetically pleasing, and installation does not take much effort and time, even for a person without experience in such matters. If it is a door made of plastic or other thin material, it will not be possible to simply cut off the insert layer;
Street. This mainly concerns hinges for gates and wickets. The fittings are large and therefore used much less frequently than arrow hinges.

There is another classification, which is based on the design features of the fittings themselves.

In videos where loops are used and installed without the need for time, they usually remember:

articulated;
card;
piano;
secretory loops.

Each option considered has its own characteristics.

Here we are talking about the following points:

Card. These hinges also come in mortise versions. But varieties without inserts are somewhat more compact. Depending on their shape, they can be standard or figured;
Pianos. It is unlikely that you will be able to find such hinges in the assortment of leading manufacturers, including Boyard, Hettich or the same Blum. Morally and technically outdated. In fact, this is a more extended version of the card loop. Used on pianos, folding tables and old cabinets;
Secretory structures resemble card ones, but differ in rounded shapes. Suitable for doors that open from top to bottom or bottom to top;
Hinged products are suitable in situations where the thickness of the wood is minimal and it is impossible to make an insert.

Almost everywhere we are talking about the fact that the fittings are outdated. And indeed it is.

The greatest demand now is for mortise structures. By adding hinges with a closer, you get fittings that are optimal in functionality, reliability and versatility.

Possible problems and solutions

Since it is possible to ideally install butterfly hinges without insertion only if there is a flat canvas and a straight slit, some shortcomings may arise during the work. One of the most common problems is the formation of a gap between the plate and the box. In this case, the door will not close tightly, and over time the entire structure will become loose and will rub against the threshold.

To solve this problem, you will need a gasket; it can be made from wood chips, cardboard, rubber, or use a regular match. Of course, this will somewhat affect the quality of the connection, but you will be able to bring the loops to the desired position.

If the installation rules are followed, the door will fit tightly

Some overhead hinges have an additional part in their design that allows you to move the sides of the product to ensure a tight fit between the halves of the plate.

If this method does not suit you, you will have to slightly modify the design, turning the overhead “butterflies” into semi-overlays. In other words, one part of them will have to be drowned a little. Usually a large plate is cut into the box. Making such a small cut is quite difficult, especially considering the shape of the product.

If the installation was done correctly, the doors will move silently and close tightly. Otherwise, it is better to replace the “butterflies” with standard mortise products.

We recommend watching the video:

Installation instructions

See also
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Installing hinges that do not require insertion is quite simple. This eliminates the need for milling.

Making markings on the door frame

Before marking, hang the door leaf on wedges, not forgetting to leave the necessary gaps: 2-3 mm from the top, floor, left and right sides. Check the correctness of temporary fixation using a building level.

To install the “wing” of the overhead loop, just step back 20-25 cm from the top and bottom and make a mark. Using a building level, draw a line parallel to the floor and perpendicular to the jamb. Already attach a “wing” to it, circle it with a pencil. Then, focusing on the markings, attach the element and fasten it with self-tapping screws.

As for the mortise ones, they make a selection inside the contour using a chisel and a hammer. Its depth is the thickness of the “wing”.

To make your task easier, you should adopt the following rules:

Install the lock in advance and close the door, which is currently on wedges, on it.
Do not forget to check the temporary fixation of the door using a building level - there should be no deviations either horizontally or vertically.
Make a temporary screwing of the hinge to the jamb: then remove it to trace the second “wing” on the canvas.
When sampling, carefully monitor its depth: if there is a discrepancy, the alignment will skew in the future.

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.