Top 10 Commercial Contractors & Hinge Installation Questions

Most hinges are mounted to the surface of the door, or they may have a recessed installation. There are also combination strike designs. In every case, everything must be properly measured beforehand, and the appropriate clearances must be known before installation begins. Tools and custom cuts must also be considered, so that the length and weight of the hinge is matched to the door size and application.

1. How do I Measure Door Hinge Radius?

To determine the size of the hinge corner’s radius, you will rest the straight edge along the top part of the hinge. Once you have the straight edge aligned, you can measure the distance from the bottom of the straight edge to the bottom of the radius. This is typically around ¼ or ⅝ depending on the size of the hinge and door. Whatever you do, don’t rest one side of the straightedge near or on the head of the pin.

2. Door Hinge Size Guide / Door Hinge Size Chart

Click here for the McKinney Products catalog.

The door width, thickness and application will influence the size and type of the hinge that you’ll need. Use this sample McKinney chart (below) as a reference to see the corresponding door width, door thickness, and hinge size.

In addition, the number of hinges you need will depend on the height and type of door. For example, 60-inch doors require three or more hinges, but anything taller likely will need four or more. This chart below can direct you to the number of hinges for the height of the door.

3. Door Weight Hinge Size*

You can refer to the above chart to determine the corresponding number of hinges and sizes. The weight of the door does not necessarily matter as much as the number of hinges relative to the total height of the door. For doors more than 200 pounds, you typically will need four or more stronger, heavy-duty hinges.

* You should always consult a professional to properly determine the door weight hinge size appropriate for your project requirements.

4. Door Hinge Dimensions

Before installing a new door, you’ll need to know the number of hinges, type of hinge design, and thickness. Most standard door hinges are square in shape and sized in increments of ½” such as 3 inches or 3 ½. Most residential doors use a 3 ½” by 3 ½” hinge, while commercial doors have a 4 ½” by 4 ½” hinge typically.

This all depends on the thickness and width of the door. You can use this more in-depth chart to check thickness and hinge size.

* Heavy Weight hinges should be used on all extra heavy doors or those exposed to high frequency use. Consult the factory for doors wider than 3'0". Five knuckle heavy weight hinges are four bearing.

The following gauges of metal may apply:Heavy weight 41/2" (114) high = .180 gauge
Heavy weight 5" (127) high = .190 gauge
Heavy weight 6" (152) high = .203 gauge

Note: Five knuckle 8" (203) high hinges have six bearings.

Note: On hinge size the dimension shown is the hinge height. Where full mortise or other hinges with two dimensions are used, the first dimension given is always the height. The second dimension is the hinge width when open.

5. How Many Hinges Per Door

The amount of hinges per door depends on the door height and weight. For example, a typical 60” or less door needs only two hinges, but if it is a heavy-duty or large wood door, then you may need three hinges. You can use this guide below to check the amount of hinges. When in doubt, more hinges can help secure a heavier door.

Note: An additional hinge is required for each additional 30".

6. How to Measure Door Hinge Placement

If you are installing a new door, then the precise location of the hinge is important.

Depending on the application - most doors need at least two to three hinges. The first hinge is typically located about 5 inches from the top of the frame to the top of the hinge.

The bottom hinge is typically located 10 inches from the bottom of the frame to the bottom of the hinge and the middle hinge is typically midway between the top and bottom hinges.

Other hinges should be placed equally between the bottom and top hinge. A three-hinge door would have a middle hinge directly in the center between the top and bottom, for example.

7. How to Select the Proper Hinge Type

You should always consult a professional but typically there are three primary considerations when selecting a hinge for your commercial door project:

Load
Hinge material
Commercial application

The load depends on the weight of the door, center of gravity, weight of any equipment mounted on the door, and how the door will move. For instance, does it need to revolve or swing 180 degrees? There are specific hinges designed to move with the door or allow the door to swing without causing friction or catching on an uneven floor.

The hinge may also be made from specialized materials that depend on the environment, temperature required, chemical exposure, UV radiation, and moisture resistance.

Hinges are typically made from steel, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, and plastic. Commercial doors typically use stainless steel for heavy duty applications that can resist any types of chemicals and withstand intense use for many years.

The most common types of hinges for commercial applications fall into these categories:

Removable door: These would require a lift off hinge, slip joint hinge, bullet hinge, flag hinge, block hinge, latch hinge, quick release hinge, or removable pin hinge.
Fixed door: These doors need a piano hinge, butt hinge, spring hinge, stop hinge, strap hinge, or double action hinge.
Concealed: For aesthetic and a cleaner appearance, you may select a concealed hinge. These are also good if you need to save space inside or want more security.
Custom: Larger, thicker, custom shaped, and other types of hinges can be selected depending on the size and type of the door.

8. Calculate Force on Door Hinges

For more information and in-depth knowledge of different loads and moments of force, you can visit this guide to calculating hinge force.

To calculate the force, you need to think of force applied at a distance from the hinge. This equation requires you to calculate the moment of force. This is represented as follows:

In addition, you also want to know the distributed load applied along the door. This is in relation to the height and width of the door. The total result of force is represented as follows:

This is applied at an average position that is represented as h/2 for a total moment represented as:

To equalize both moments, you would use the total equation of:

9. How to Use a Hinge Weight Calculator

Hinge weight calculators typically require you to know the type of door, height of the door, door weight, and number of hinges. You also need to know the type of hinge as follows:

Nested/recessed door hinge, visible
Nested/recessed door hinge, concealed
Surface-mounted door hinge, concealed
Surface-mounted door hinge, visible
Surface-mounted door hinge, semi-concealed

The number of hinges and how they are placed also matters. Most hinges are placed symmetrically. The door weight and type is also necessary to understand the weight of the hinge.

10. Where to Get Special & Custom Door Hinges

Shopping online for custom door hinges is one way to find unique sizes, different materials, thicker hinges, and other custom designs. However, big box hardware stores may stock an array of hinges for commercial use, you’ll be forced to select from off the shelf products without expert support.

A better way to get special and custom door hinges is to work with a manufacturing provider that will get to know your unique application. They can fine tune a custom solution that meets or exceeds your requirements - removing all guesswork.

Commercial Door Hinge Accessories

The most common types of door hinge accessories include hinge pins, ball tips, acorn tips, and screws. These come in different materials, but steel and brass are the most used.

Here are some typical accessories:

Tip-on touch latches
Angle restriction clips
Doorstops
Compact adapters
Stainless steel hinge eye bolts
Door cushions

Commercial Hinge Pin Door Stop

This commercial hinge pin door stop maintains both walls and hardware are safe without putting any unnecessary stress on the door itself, wall, or door frame. The hinge pin stop also works well for doors where a standard door stop will not work. These are available in brass, steel, chrome, and oil-rubbed bronze finishes.

Hinge Shims

Hinge shims are made to fit behind the hinge plate of a door. These screws are backed out part of the way to allow the door to stay in place while it’s being installed. Hinge shims prevent gaps between the door and hinge, which can prevent problems in the future with doors falling off hinges or becoming loose.

Hinge shims are commonly available in various sizes such as 3 ½”, 4”, and 4 ½” respectively. In general practice, residential doors typically need the smallest size, while a commercial door requires a 4 to 4 ½” hinge shim.

Electric Hinges

Electrified hinges conduct current whether or not the door is located near exit devices, electric locks, or electric hold-open devices. Concealed switch (CS) hinges allow you to monitor the door position in order to activate a security alarm or other alarm that needs a tamper proof hinge.

These hinges are typically only available as full mortise design. Thicker gauge metal is used for heavyweight electrified hinges.