Blog Post

Unhinged: Everything You Need to Know About Kitchen Cabinet Hinges
Prestige Kitchen & Bath • June 8, 2022

Unhinged: Everything You Need to Know About Kitchen Cabinet Hinges

Few homeowners in Boston, MA ask about the hinges used on kitchen cabinetry even though every cabinet and door have a hinge.  Hinges serve both functional and aesthetic purposes.  The three most common types of hinges that are specified for new kitchens in Boston, MA are butt hinges, concealed hinges and surface mounted hinges. 

To help make sense of different hinge options, there is some basic terminology to be familiar with to help assure you select the perfect hinges for your dream kitchen. 

The leaf is the part of the hinge that extends out from the barrel and is screwed into the door and frame

The pin is the rod running through the length of the barrel. High-end hinges are shipped assembled with the pins installed.

Leaf width is the dimension of the leaf from the center of the pin to the edge of the leaf.

Open hinge width is the overall dimension of the hinge when the two leaves are open flat.

The arm is associated almost exclusively with concealed hinges. It is the part of the hinge that extends from the hinge and is attached to the inside of the cabinet.

The cup is the part of a concealed hinge that is attached to the door.

Barrel is the circular, hollow section at the center of the hinge that the pin runs through.

Knuckles are the joining parts of a hinge through which the pin passes through.

Butt hinges, also referred to as mortise hinges, are what most homeowners in Boston, MA associate with kitchen cabinets.  A butt hinge comprises two matching leaves of metal connected by a central pin and barrel system. One leaf of the butt hinge is mortised, or recessed into the door, while the other is attached to the cabinet frame. When properly installed, the two leaves of a butt hinge should sit flush against each other, which allows the door to sit perfectly flush with the frame. 

Most butt hinges specified for homeowners in Boston, MA are made of brass or stainless steel and can be finished to match the cabinet or other hardware in the kitchen.  Butt hinges can be enhanced with finials or decorative tips that allow homeowners in Boston, MA to put their own personality into their cabinet hardware. 

Concealed hinges, as the name implies, are not visible when the door is closed and often are spring activated or provide a soft-close feature to the cabinet door.  Concealed hinges are often preferred by homeowners in Boston, MA because of the clean, modern look that they provide and ease of use. 

A third popular cabinet hinge is a surface mount. This is a hinge where one leaf is attached to the face of the door and the other leaf attached to the face of the frame.  Neither side is mortised.  A half-surface mounted hinge has one leaf attached to the face of the door and the other is mortised into the edge of the frame.

What’s the right hinge for the cabinets in your dream kitchen?  That depends on the look, feel and functionality you desire.  To determine what’s best, give us a call at (781) 670-3909 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 14 Charles Street, Needham, MA 02494.

By Prestige Kitchen & Bath January 30, 2025
When planning a bathroom renovation in Boston, MA, most homeowners focus on essentials like new tiles, fixtures, and color schemes. But why stop there? Take your bathroom to the next level with these creative, out-of-the-box renovation ideas that add both personality and functionality to your space.
By Prestige Kitchen & Bath January 23, 2025
Your kitchen is more than just a cooking area, it’s a place for creating memories, sharing stories, and bringing together family and friends. If your kitchen seems old-fashioned or small, a remodel for your home in Boston, MA might be the ideal solution to revitalize the core of your home.
By Prestige Kitchen & Bath January 16, 2025
The contemporary kitchen has transformed into much more than just a place for cooking. Nowadays, it serves as the center of the home, a space to meet, innovate, and occasionally work. If you're thinking about renovating your kitchen in Boston, MA, creating a multi-functional kitchen might change the way you utilize your area and increase your home's value.
By Prestige Kitchen & Bath January 9, 2025
When thinking about bathroom renovations for your home in Boston, MA, most people only really care about how it looks—like picking tiles, faucets, and colors. But there are other important things, like ventilation, that people don’t always think about but can mess up how your renovation works out. Here’s why having good ventilation matters and how it makes your bathroom better and last longer.
By Prestige Kitchen & Bath January 6, 2025
Your kitchen is a central location, where both people and pets should be able to meet their needs. Having a kitchen that is suitable for pets doesn't require giving up style - it involves finding a balance between functionality and comfort for all. Let's go over how to design spaces suitable for both you and your pets in your home in Boston, MA:
By Prestige Kitchen & Bath January 2, 2025
The kitchen and bathroom in your home in Boston, MA serve as more than just utilitarian areas—they represent the core of your home and showcase your personal taste. If you have been thinking about renovating, now is the ideal moment to convert these spaces into areas that are both aesthetically pleasing and extremely useful.
By Prestige Kitchen & Bath October 14, 2024
When it comes to kitchen and bathroom remodels for your home in Boston, MA, lighting is a major game changer. The lighting brightens up your space and enhances functionality, ambiance, and design appeal. Here are tips to choose perfect lighting for your kitchen and bathroom.
By Prestige Kitchen & Bath October 7, 2024
Kitchen renovation in Boston, MA can be exciting, but brings some important questions, should you do the renovation yourself or hire a professional? Some tasks can be rewarding DIY projects, others are best left to pros for quality and safety.
By Prestige Kitchen & Bath September 30, 2024
Thinking about updating kitchen or bathrooms in your home in Boston, MA but don’t want a full remodel? Small upgrades make a difference, giving spaces a fresh feel without commitment of a full renovation. Here are some ideas to elevate your home’s two most essential spaces.
By Prestige Kitchen & Bath September 23, 2024
Finding time to relax is challenging, making it a good idea to have a special place to unwind at home in Boston, MA. Remodeling your bathroom as a spa retreat will be the ultimate way of creating a sanctuary indoors without leaving home. These are the three main key elements to consider when designing your personal oasis.
Show More
Share by: