When arranging your home, the question of choosing the right accessories is always acute. And this issue should be considered not only from the point of view of matching the interior of the room, but also from the point of view of functionality. The quality of closing the door itself depends on the hinges. Usually they cut into the box and the canvas, which requires some experience and skills in working with a chisel.
However, there is a solution that is perfect for those who are on “you” with a tool - overhead fittings. It has some differences from those on the market, and has both advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will talk about the installation of butterfly door hinges and watch a video about it, as well as describe the features of their installation and ways to minimize negative properties.
The main difference between such hinges, which distinguishes them from a number of door fittings, is a special design, similar, in fact, to the mentioned insect. Its installation does not require the preparation of a groove for insertion and greatly facilitates the process - it is simply screwed into place. The sides of the loop are designed in such a way that when closed, they simply fit into one another.
Despite the fact that the design is a bit non-standard, the essence of the installation is about the same as the classic hinge. The absence of the need for a tie-in reduces the time, otherwise the algorithm of actions is as follows:
Mark the place for mounting the hinges on the canvas and the box. It is recommended to mount them at a standard distance of 15-20 centimeters for such fittings from the edges of the canvas and, accordingly, on the box. Attach them with the inside and mark the points of the bolt holes, then drill and screw the sides.
For a complete understanding of the details of the process, you can watch a video on how to install butterfly hinges on a door.
On the surface it looks simple, but in reality it is only partly so easy. Don't be fooled by the fact that you don't have to prepare a groove for mounting - this is only a small advantage over the disadvantages.
This type of fittings is ambiguous - over time, the halves deform and cease to fit into each other without problems, besides, the slightest mistake in marking, and the hinges will begin to creak, jam and knock when the door is closed. Compared to the classic form factor, the possibilities for correcting flaws are rather meager and far from guaranteeing a 100% result.
There are several tricks that minimize problems. Not completely, of course, but you will protect yourself from altering fittings in the coming years. To begin with, such original hinges in most cases need to be finished on the surface on which they are attached. In terms of time and effort, this is not so costly, but you will have to tinker.
When not folding the loop cards, any material with sufficient strength and the required thickness is placed. Some use cardboard, while others use chips, thin veneer. Just slide it under the half opposite the one that doesn't overlap. With a scientific poke method and stocking up on patience, you can compensate for the skew.
Another problem is low reliability due to design features. Incorrect calculation of the attachment point and too massive wooden canvases can turn out such fittings and completely render them unusable, so always tighten the bolts as tightly as possible, making sure that the hats do not protrude above the wood material - this is a fairly common mistake. How to screw the butterfly hinges to the door is another question. You can use a screwdriver or do it yourself.
Next is the location of the mounting holes. The design determines the property that on one half the holes are located in a heap, and on the other they are scattered over the entire surface. Nothing can be done about this, the only advice is that if you are not sure about the strength of the material of the door or frame, it is better to move the hinge higher or lower, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the material.
The scope of application is quite extensive and is limited only by the weight of the canvas. This is due not only to the fragility of the structure itself, but also to the fact that a plus during installation - no need to insert into a tree - turns into a minus when used. Groove mounting adds strength to the hinge and allows heavier doors to be used. Therefore, it is worth using them for veneered canvases, and leave solid wood massifs to more durable structures.
Overhead fittings of this type look great and are easy to install. This is due to the scope of its application for the special decoration of the room, where every little thing is important. Since they do not spoil the surface of the canvas, they can be used for light laminated doors in living rooms, children's rooms, bedrooms and workrooms.
Such fittings can hardly be called a choice for those who do not have installation experience. Leveling the risk of damaging the surface of the door frame, another one arises - the possibility of deformation of the hinge itself. But with accurate marking, following the rules of how to put butterfly hinges on an interior door, and using the tips from this article, you can enjoy aesthetic and original fittings that complement the design of the room.
