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Replacing door hinges is one of the easiest ways to upgrade a space subtly. Some DIYers may think only about cabinet hardware hinges, but interior and exterior door hinges deserve enhancements, too. Whether it’s switching from dated brass to a modern black finish or swapping an incessantly noisy hinge for something smoother and quieter, this simple DIY project can do a lot for a home.
Although door hinges themselves are small and hide between the door and the jamb, their quality and proper installation affect the function and longevity of the doors. For that reason, it’s important to choose the best door hinges.
- BEST OVERALL: Amazon Basics 3.5 x 3.5-Inch Door Hinges
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: TDC Hinges 3.5 x 3.5-Inch Brushed Nickel Door Hinges
- BEST LIGHT-DUTY: Everbilt 3-Inch Satin Nickel Non-Mortise Hinges
- BEST MEDIUM-DUTY: Gatehouse 3.5-Inch Mortise Door Hinge
- BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Dynasty Hardware Commercial Grade Ball Bearing Hinge
- BEST EXTERIOR: KS Hardware Stainless Steel Ball Bearing NRP Hinges
- BEST SELF-CLOSING: Amazon Basics Self-Closing Door Hinge
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Door Hinge
Door hinges are sometimes unsung heroes (until they start squeaking, that is). But for such a relatively simple device, there are many important considerations to keep in mind when shopping, including type, size, and material and finish.
Type
Quite a few different types of door hinges are available, each with its own specialty or function. However, the most common hinges for the doors found in most homes include:
- Butt hinges: These hinges feature two leaves with a pin holding them together. One leaf attaches to the door while the other attaches to the jamb. They mesh together by butting their joints against each other, with the pin holding them in place.
- Mortise hinges: Mortise hinges include any hinge inset in the door and the jamb. The installer has to carve out a section of the door’s material to fit them, allowing the surface of the hinge to sit flush with the surface of the door.
- Non-mortise hinges: These light-duty hinges have two leaves, one of which nests inside the other to prevent the need for mortising them into the door or jamb.
- Self-closing hinges: These hinges feature a spring between their leaves that pulls the door shut automatically after opening. They’re often required by code between garages and homes, and they must be UL listed.
- Bearing: Some hinges have bearings in between the leaves, allowing the door to function longer and more smoothly.
- Commercial: Commercial hinges are heavy-duty because they must support the weight of extremely heavy fire doors. They’re generally 4 or 4.5 inches long and feature four screw holes in each leaf.
Note: Hinges can fall into one or more categories. For instance, a self-closing hinge may also be mortised or non-mortised.
Size
Hinges come in different sizes, and their dimensions can often be an indication of their hardiness. The most common door hinge sizes are 3, 3.5, 4, and 4.5 inches.
Three-inch hinges are light duty, and they’re best used between bifold doors and very lightweight hollow-core doors. Three-and-a-half-inch hinges are more robust, making them more suitable for standard interior doors, though they’ll work just as well for lightweight hollow doors. Four-inch and 4.5-inch hinges are more common for heavier solid-wood doors and exterior applications such as entry doors. These hinges often have four holes per leaf to better distribute the weight of the door.
In most cases, it’s easiest to measure the size of the existing hinge and match it with a new hinge. However, for new installations, most folks will be happiest with 3.5- or 4-inch hinges.
Material and Finish
The best door hinges come in a variety of materials. The most common materials are steel and stainless steel. Steel is the most affordable, but stainless steel is typically stronger and more corrosion-resistant. Brass, iron, and bronze are also popular options.
Regardless of material, most hinges are available in a few different finishes. These include old standbys such as brass and gold as well as black, satin, polished, and unfinished stainless. These bits of hardware are small and not always visible, so it’s best to choose doorknobs and fixtures first and then match the hinges to those choices.
Door Thickness and Weight
Doors are available in different thicknesses. Common interior doors are just 1.375 inches thick, while solid wood and exterior doors are usually 1.75 inches thick. Doors can also be 2 inches thick or more. Thickness often correlates to weight, which requires hinges of different capacities.
In general, 3-inch to 3.5-inch hinges are suitable for lightweight 1.375-inch thick doors. For doors measuring 1.75 inches thick, a 3.5-inch to 4-inch hinge will do, depending on whether the door is solid wood or hollow. For heavy doors with 2-inch thicknesses, 4-inch or 4.5-inch hinges are needed because they require more surface area for distributing the weight.
Our Top Picks
That might seem like a lot of information for such a small component, but quite a bit hinges on the important decision of what product to pick. To make the shopping process a bit easier to swing, check out the following list of some of the best door hinges available.
Best Overall
Amazon Basics 3.5 x 3.5-Inch Door Hinges
Folks looking to upgrade or refresh the hinges throughout their home in one kit should consider Amazon Basics door hinges. These hinges feature a butt design most suitable for mortise applications, and they measure 3.5 inches long, making them suitable for most light- and medium-duty doors.
This 18-hinge kit allows users to replace an entire home’s doors with one purchase. They come in both rounded and square edges, and they’re available in multiple colors, including antique brass, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, polished brass, and satin nickel. They only have three screw holes, so they’re not suitable for heavier doors.
Product Specs
- Type: Mortise butt hinge
- Size: 3.5 inches
- Material: Steel
Pros
- Pack of 18 hinges (in rounded)
- Durable steel construction
- Available in several finishes and with square or round corners
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy-duty applications
Get the Amazon Basics 3.5-by-3.5-inch door hinges on Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
TDC Hinges 3.5 x 3.5-Inch Brushed Nickel Door Hinges
When it comes to saving money, purchasing a set of 30 hinges for a reasonable price is tough to argue with. This kit from TDC includes enough hinges for the entire home. These iron butt hinges are most suitable for replacing mortised hinges.
Shoppers can choose from round or square hinges. A choice of satin nickel, matte black, or satin chrome allows shoppers to match the entire set to their home’s existing hardware. At 3.5 inches, the hinges are suitable for lightweight and medium-duty doors, but heavy-duty doors are likely out of the question.
Product Specs
- Type: Mortise butt hinge
- Size: 3.5 inches
- Material: Iron
Pros
- 30-pack for savings
- Available in several profiles and colors
- Suitable for medium-weight doors
Cons
- Not for use with heavy-duty doors
Get the TDC door hinges on Amazon.
Best Light-Duty
Everbilt 3-Inch Satin Nickel Non-Mortise Hinges
DIYers who’d prefer to surface mount a set of hinges quickly rather than spend time chiseling and chipping away at a mortise should check out Everbilt’s Non-Mortise Hinges. These hinges come in a two-pack of solid-steel hinges that nest inside each other, allowing installers to forgo the mortising.
These hinges are light duty, meaning they’re suitable for hollow-core doors only. They measure 3 inches long by 3 inches wide by 1.25 inches deep. They feature rounded corners and a removable pin, and they come in a satin-nickel finish. They also include all the hardware necessary to mount them to the door and frame.
Product Specs
- Type: Non-mortise
- Size: 3 inches
- Material: Steel
Pros
- Surface mount for easy installation
- Durable steel construction
- Available in satin-nickel finish
- Comes with necessary hardware
Cons
- Not suitable for anything other than light-duty applications
Get the Everbilt door hinges at The Home Depot.
Best Medium-Duty
Gatehouse 3.5-Inch Mortise Door Hinge
Folks who are looking to replace their interior hinges but worry about finding a quality replacement for their solid-core or wooden doors might want to look to Gatehouse. This set of hinges includes three steel butt hinges that fit in 3.5-inch mortises, offering plenty of strength for medium-duty applications.
These butt hinges feature a .625-inch rounded radius, allowing them to nestle into common hinge mortises. They also include a removable pin to make installation a bit easier. They come in a satin-nickel finish and they’re made from heavy-gauge steel for plenty of strength. They may be a bit expensive, however, for replacing the entire home’s hinges one pack at a time.
Product Specs
- Type: Mortise butt hinges
- Size: 3.5 inches
- Material: Heavy-gauge steel
Pros
- Strong mortise design
- Fits common rounded mortises
- Made from heavy–gauge steel
Cons
- Might be expensive for whole-house replacements
Get the Gatehouse door hinges at Lowe’s.
Best Heavy-Duty
Dynasty Hardware Commercial Grade Ball Bearing Hinge
When it comes to getting plenty of strength from a set of hinges, Dynasty Hardware’s commercial-grade hinges might be the way to go. These hinges are 4.5 inches long and each leaf features four screw holes, giving these hinges the surface area and hardware necessary to swing heavy solid wood and fire doors.
This kit comes with three stainless steel hinges. They have ball bearings between the leaves, and the pin is nonremovable. The square design also provides more weight distribution in the mortise.
These hinges come with machine screws, which will only work for metal door jambs, also known as bucks. Users would need to supply their own heavy-duty wood screws for wood jambs.
Product Specs
- Type: Mortise butt commercial hinges
- Size: 4.5 inches
- Material: Stainless steel
Pros
- Made from durable stainless steel
- Plenty of surface area for heavy doors
- Built-in ball bearings
Cons
- Included screws will not work for wooden door jambs
Get the Dynasty Hardware door hinges on Amazon.
Best Exterior
KS Hardware Stainless Steel Ball Bearing NRP Hinges
When those old entryway hinges need replacing, a sturdy set like this one from KS Hardware might be in order. These hinges feature durable stainless steel construction on all parts, including the leaves, pin, bearings, and screws to install them. The ball bearings between the leaves allow for free movement, even in severe temperature changes or moisture.
Three mortise-style hinges are in a pack. They each measure 4 inches long and have a square leaf as well as a rounded leaf, each with four screw holes. They are a bit expensive, but they’re unlikely to require replacement for many, many years.
Product Specs
- Type: Ball-bearing mortise hinges
- Size: 4 inches
- Material: Stainless steel construction
Pros
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Ball bearings for smoother operation over time
- 4-inch width and 4 screw holes for plenty of strength
Cons
- Expensive
Get the KS Hardware door hinges on Amazon.
Best Self-Closing
Amazon Basics Self-Closing Door Hinge
Fire code requires a self-closing hinge on doors between the garage and home, and this model from Amazon Basics can get the job done. This 3-inch hinge features a mortise design that comes in oil-rubbed bronze, polished brass, and satin nickel, allowing users to find a hinge that matches their home’s styling. It’s also built from durable steel.
Unfortunately, this self-closing mortise hinge is only sold individually. However, it’s strong enough to allow users to replace just one hinge to meet the fire code. The spring inside the hinge is adjustable as well, making tailoring this hinge to meet the needs of individual garage spaces easier. And, since it’s UL listed, it should meet any requirements the local fire marshal requests.
Product Specs
- Type: Self-closing mortise hinge
- Size: 3.5 inches
- Material: Steel
Pros
- Available in several finishes
- Replaces just 1 hinge rather than all of them
- Meets UL requirements
Cons
- Includes just 1 hinge
Get the Amazon Basics self-closing door hinge on Amazon.
Our Verdict
Folks looking for an all-around capable set of hinges that can replace most of their current interior sets should consider the Amazon Basics 3.5-by-3.5-inch door hinges for their durability, profile, and finish options. But, for DIYers who’d like to take some time off with an easy door installation, check out the non-mortise Everbilt door hinges.
How We Chose the Best Door Hinges
We drew upon many years of experience installing doors and hinges to pick out the features, styles, and sizes we thought were most useful for the average DIYer. We then used those specs to perform extensive product research and compiled a list of products we felt would meet our needs.
Once we had our list of candidates, we compared price, quality, and durability. Those that failed or didn’t offer enough value were put aside. The hinges that passed were given awards based on their strengths.
Tips for Installing the Best Door Hinges
When it comes to replacing hinges, do so one at a time. Leave the pins and hinges in place, and simply remove the screws holding the leaves in place. When it comes to replacing the top hinge, it may be necessary to shim the door up off the floor slightly.
When installing a new door in an existing opening, use the old door as a template to locate the hinges. Lay the new door flat on a set of sawhorses and carefully place the old door on top. Align the hinge sides as best as possible and use a combination square to transfer the edges of the hinge locations to the new door.
There are two ways to cut mortises: with a jig and router, or with a chisel. The jig and router may be expensive, but they’ll do the job faster and much more accurately than the average DIYer can do with a chisel and hammer.
- When replacing hinges, do so one at a time.
- Use the old door to help locate the new hinges on the new doors.
- A mortising jig and router will be much faster and much more accurate than a hammer and chisel.
FAQs
That’s a lot of information on the best door hinges, but we’re certainly not shutting the door on answering questions.
Q. What is the best door hinge?
It depends on the situation, the door, and the home’s styling. A tried-and-true all-purpose hinge would be a steel 3.5-inch mortise hinge with rounded corners.
Q. Should a door have two or three hinges?
Lightweight hollow-core doors can get away with two hinges. All other doors should use three hinges.
Q. What is the total weight that door hinges can hold?
It depends on the door, but some hinges may be able to hold up to 400 pounds.
Q. How much does it cost to hinge a door?
It depends on the craftsperson, but expect to pay an hourly minimum rather than a cost per door. Professional installers can place hinges on a new door in under an hour, but they’ll likely charge their minimum cost to make it worth their time.
