Let’s talk about a moving, mechanical, integral part of the majority of all cabinetry you will have in a design. Something that affects functionality on a daily basis.
The Hinge.
This might seem like a dry subject, an aspect that is mostly taken for granted. However, when hinging is approached thoughtfully and creatively, it can make or break a space. Here at Dura Supreme, we offer about a dozen different ways to open a door (really!). From Bi-fold to Stay-Lift to Pocket to Inset, we offer just the perfect solution to fit the homeowner’s lifestyle. What you choose can make a big difference in how you use the space. Even something as simple as having all the cabinets in a particular work zone open in the direction that favors where the user would stand in that space is instrumental in good design.
Top-Hinged Lift-Up Doors
Let’s look at some examples…Here is a top-hinged, Lift-Door. You will notice that when open, it requires quite a bit of clearance above. It will extend straight up above the top of the cabinet. Overhead clearances can not be overlooked when deciding on these cabinets.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by C R Cabinetry in Iowa.
We also offer a Wall Bi-fold door that’s horizontally hinged, which does not extend up quite as far as the Lift-Door.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by Jeremy Sarcoz of Heartwood Designs in Sedona, Arizona. Photography by Michael Thackrah.
If you go with a Wall Stay-Lift Door, it will open 100 degrees, so again, you will need to consider the clearance space above it.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by Julie Holzman of Holzman Interiors in Stamford, Connecticut.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by Julie Holzman of Holzman Interiors in Stamford, Connecticut.
If you recess the Wall Stay-Lift Doors into a cabinet design, you will also need to consider the cabinet hardware and make sure there are no conflicts.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry showing the Stay-Lift Hinging option.
Pocket Door Hinging on Cabinets
If space is an issue, a Pocket Door can be a great solution. It also comes with its own set of requirements. Depending on your cabinet door width, you may need to increase the depth of your cabinet to accommodate the doors being slid back into the sides of the cabinet. If you want shelving in the cabinet, you will need to ask for Pocket Door Partitions to attach the shelves to. Here is an example where both of these issues played out.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by Holzman Interiors in Stamford, Connecticut.
Pocket Doors can also be incorporated in upper cabinets, as shown in the example below. Notice how they made the cabinet deeper to accommodate the size of the doors to be pocketed.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry, Pocket Door Hinging
I have also seen applications of Pocket Doors turned 90 degrees and used to hide a microwave (this would also work for concealing a TV within a cabinet).
If you notice in the two examples above, Inset cabinetry was chosen (all doors are inset, and flush with the face frame). This is something to keep in mind when incorporating Pocket Doors. By their nature, all Pocket Doors have to be Inset.
Consider Hinges when Choosing Storage Accessories
Hinging also requires consideration when you are adding accessories or modifications to a cabinet. Hinging takes up a little bit of the useable space in a cabinet, so if you are planning to house a step stool or add vertical partitions within, allow for the dimensions of the hinging that could potentially interfere. This discussion is altered slightly if dealing with framed vs .frameless cabinetry since hinges are installed differently in each. Below is an image of vertical partitions installed. Note the useable width is slightly affected near the hinges.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by Kitchen Design Partners in Northbrook, Illinois. Photography by Dennis Jourdan Photo & Video, Inc.
Vertical Bi-Fold Cabinet Door Hinges
Finally, let’s consider the vertically hinged Bi-Fold door.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by Kitchen Design Partners in Northbrook, Illinois. Photography by Michael Alan Kaskel.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by Kitchen Design Partners in Northbrook, Illinois. Photography by Michael Alan Kaskel.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry with Bi-fold Door Hinging shown in the “Gale Force” paint color.
If you will notice this “Gale Force” blue bi-fold door opens to the right. You should also notice that it needs a good 6”-8” of reserved space to the right in order to open all the way.
This would not be something you would want to put next to a wall. With a Bi-fold Door, you will also have a small magnet set in the center at the bottom front of the cabinet for the middle of the cabinet door to connect to when closed (you can see it under the mixer). Keep this obstacle in mind if you will have anything installed in the cabinet (flat roll-out as in this example) potentially conflicting with the magnet.
Consider Refrigerator Hinges
A last note, not even relating to cabinetry, but to a major appliance in every kitchen… the hinging on a refrigerator. Especially with French door refrigerators, the doors need to be able to open more than 90 degrees in order to be able to pull out the crisper drawers within. Therefore, always make sure you’ve allowed ample space for those refrigerator doors to open– wide.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by Jen Holz of Dillman & Upton in Rochester, Michigan.
Cabinet Hinge Choices Make a Difference
So as you can see, hinging is kind of a big deal when it comes to designing a kitchen. It affects functionality, ease of use, and style and has some serious considerations when it comes to space and clearance. Fortunately, Dura Supreme Cabinetry offers so many hinging options that finding a solution that works for you is easy!
