Identifying the Right Hinge for Your Cabinets

Nothing adds more appeal to a kitchen than a nice set of cabinets. When you think about it, cabinets are really furniture for the kitchen. Whether you’'re starting from scratch with new cabinetry or giving your old set of cabinets a facelift, there’s little that adds more value to a home than kitchen and bath improvements. The first step in buying new hardware is to determine what type of cabinets you have, or intend to buy or build. The style of the hinges you choose is largely dependent on the style of your cabinets and the look you’'re trying to achieve. The two styles of cabinet construction are “Traditional” face frame and “European” frameless. European frameless cabinets (top left) are basically boxes. European hardware usually mounts to the inside wall of the cabinet. The system utilizes a 32mm spacing pattern and can be taken to the installation site flat and easily assembled. “Traditional” face frame cabinets, on the other hand, (top right) are boxes that have an added frame attached to the box face. The frame is not only decorative but stiffens the cabinet and reinforces the box. This frame accepts the hinge.

Now that we’ve identified the type of cabinet that you have, lets determine the overlay of your doors. Select the image of your cabinet style above to continue your search for hinges.