The Types of Door Hinges (1)

Ball Bearing Hinges

Ball bearing hinges are one type of mortise hinge, which means they’re designed to be installed sunk into the door and frame in a cutout in each made to fit. They’re a good choice for particularly heavy doors. They have bearings that are permanently lubricated to make opening and closing heavy doors smoother, and ensure the hinges can stand up to frequent use with a heavy door. These are popular for exterior doors that are heavy, particularly for commercial businesses.

Plain Bearing Hinges

Plain bearing hinges are another type of mortise hinge. They’re a simple design and a common choice for both residential and commercial doors. A plain bearing hinge features a barrel made of multiple pieces that are held together by a pin. Sometimes the pin is removable to make removing the door easier, sometimes it’s not. Nevertheless, a removable pin is still something to consider as you are browsing your options.

Butt Hinges

Butt hinges are a popular type of plain bearing hinge that are good for heavy doors. These are commonly found on interior doors, but also have a use for exterior and commercial doors, too. These are easy to remove when needed and generally have removable pins.

Spring Hinges

Spring hinges are a third type of mortise hinge.  Featuring a built-in spring within the barrel, this type of hinge is designed to automatically close the door after it has been opened. Because they are designed to self-close, a spring hinge is a great fit for external doors, keep the elements out, and the air conditioning in.  These are commonly found on garage doors, since they help keep car fumes from getting into the house.

Double-action spring hinges work both ways – automatically closing the door whether you open it in or out. They’re more popular for lightweight doors like the ones you’d have for the entrance to a kitchen or dining room.