How to Estimate Door Weights

Figures below represent average pounds per square foot.

To calculate your door weight multiply the size of your door (in square feet) times the number in the chart above (pounds per square feet). The result is your door weight in pounds.

For example if you have a 1-3/4″ thick door that is 8’0″ by 3″2″ and made out of oak, you would calculate the square inches of the door (96 x 38 = 3648) and divide by 144 to get the square footage (3648/144 = 25.33). To calculate the door weight multiply the square footage times the pounds per square foot for oak (25.33 x 7 = 177.31 lbs). Keep in mind that this is an estimate and does not include any hardware that you are going to have on the door.

(4/1/2007)

WHICH HINGE TO USE:

• Left Hand Door, use “Left Hand” hinges.
• Right Hand Door, use “Right Hand” hinges.
• Right Hand Reverse Door, use “Left Hand” hinges.
• Left Hand Reverse Door, use “Right Hand” hinges.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The hand of a door is determined from the outside of the door.
The outside of a room door is the hall side.
The outside of a closet door is the room or hall side.
The outside of a single communicating door is the side from which the hinges are not visible.

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE: If you were sent to this page by a link on the HardwareSource.com website then this handing information applies to the product on the page that sent you here. If you arrived on this page from another website or from a search engine then this handing information may not apply to your hinge or product. Some manufacturers and some industries use different handing rules.

General Information

Pivot sets (both offset and center hung pivots) are recommended for high-traffic interior or exterior doors, or any door where appearance is an important consideration. They are expecially useful for extra-heavy doors. They have the ability to carry a lot more weight than butt hinges. The HardwareSource.com website has both Offset Hung Pivot Sets and Center Hung Pivot Sets on its website.

Advantages

The weight of the door is supported entirely by the bottom arm, which is connected directly to the pivot spindle. This means that the fasteners on the door and frame are in shear rather than tension (as with butt hinges). The fasteners are less likely to loosen over time. Because the weight of the door is supported entirely by the bottom pivot and the floor,  it creates a door hanging system which produces less stress on the frame assembly, prevents your door from sagging and makes for a door that opens and closes with less friction.

Offset vs. Center Hung Application

Offset pivot hinges have a hinging action which is simliar to a butt hinge. The pivot point is located off of the surface of the door. The pivoting hardware on a door installed with a center hung pivot hinge is completely concealed except for the floor plate (it is possible to conceal the floor plate with flooring).

Intermediate Pivot

An intermediate pivot hinge (see illustration above) is required for doors over a certain height. This is required to make sure the door stays in proper alignment.

www.hardwaresource.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=163″>intermediate pivot hinge (see illustration above) is required for doors over a certain height. This is required to make sure the door stays in proper alignment.

What is a Pair of Hinges

We sell hinges in two ways; by the “PAIR” or by the “EACH” depending usually on how they are packaged by the manufacturer. The selling “UNIT” is indicated on the same line as the “PRICE” and the “SKU” number. A “PAIR” means two hinges. “EACH” means one hinge. Normally you would order one “PAIR” of hinges per door or you would order 2 “EACH” hinges per door.  When placing an order, please pay special attention to the “UNIT” so that you get the correct number of hinges that you want.

How to Estimate Door Weights

Figures below represent average pounds per square foot.

To calculate your door weight mulitply the size of your door (in square feet) times the number in the chart above (pounds per square feet). The result is your door weight in pounds.

For example if you have a 1-3/4″ thick door that is 8’0″ by 3″2″ and made out of oak, you would calculate the square inches of the door (96 x 38 = 3648) and divide by 144 to get the square footage (3648/144 = 25.33). To calculate the door weight multiply the square footage times the pounds per square foot for oak (25.33 x 7 = 177.31 lbs). Keep in mind that this is an estimate and does not include any hardware that you are going to have on the door.

(4/1/2007)

All about Door Hinges for Residential Doors

The information on door hinges below applies to hinges for residential homes and not for commercial applications.

Architectural Door Hinges

The hinges on our website that we call “Architectural Hinges” are the ones most people want to use when upgrading the hardware in their home or when installing new custom doors. Architectural hinges are a higher quality hinge, made of heavier grade material than Residential hinges. They are available in all hinge sizes from 3″ x 3″ up to 6″ x 6″ and larger. Architectural hinges are available in a wider choice of finishes than are Residential hinges. They are also available with an NRP feature (NRP means non-removeable pin). An Architectural hinge with NRP is recommended on a door which swings outward. An outward swinging door has its hinge pins exposed and can be removed by unauthorized persons. When you upgrade existing hinges from Residential grade to Architectural grade keep in mind that you must increase the mortise depth on the door and jamb because Architectural hinges are thicker.

Architectural Ball Bearing Door Hinges

An upgrade to the plain bearing Architectural Hinge is the Ball Bearing Architectural Hinge. Hinges do wear out over time. Heavier doors and wider doors put more stress on the hinges and they tend to wear on the hinge knuckles. The ball bearings are placed between the knuckles to reduce friction. Ball bearing hinges increase the life of the hinge, tend not to make a creaking sound, make the door easier to open and are a good choice anytime a door closer is used.

Residential Door Hinges

Residential Hinges are the door hinges that are used in most tract type housing today. They are lighter in weight and they are only available in a limited number of sizes and finishes. They are generally only available in 3 sizes (3″ x 3″, 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″, and 4″ x 4″). They are best used in lightweight doors.

How to Determine the Correct Number of Hinges per Door

How to Determine the Correct Size of Door Hinge to Use

Comparison of Architectural Door Hinges and Residential Door Hinges

The above comparison between Architectural and Residential hinges is a general guideline. Some hinge manufacturers may use slightly different thicknesses, screwhole patterns, etc.

Location of Butt Hinges on the Door

The top hinge should be located 5″ from the rabbet in the door frame (measure to the top of the hinge barrel). The bottom hinge should be located 10″ from the finished floor (measure to the bottom of the hinge barrel). This is the U.S. Standards procedure. Certain western states use as a standard 7″ from the top and 11″ from the bottom. The third hinge should be centered between the top and the bottom hinges.

Location of Door Hinge in Door Jamb

Door Hinges for Special Situations

Swing Clear Hinges are used whenever a door is required to swing completely clear of the openings so that wide equipment (for example wheel chairs) can pass through.

Wide Throw Hinges position the door out further when it is open than conventional hinges. They are used when a door is set back in a reveal (or where a door has a wide door jamb) and is required to open 180 degrees.

Swing Clear Door Hinge              Wide Throw Door Hinge

(6/1/2007)