When planning out a remodel or new home build, everything has to be accounted for. Not just the big things like tile and appliances, but everything needs to be thought out. One of the most glanced over decisions in many of these situations is the door hardware.
Some homeowners just leave it up to the contractor, but picking out the hardware that will hold your doors and cabinets in place is the hidden feature that will affect the usability, design, and maintenance of the home for years to come.
So, which hinges should you choose? It all depends on what you want, but there are a few key areas to consider.
Area One: Design
The look and feel of a home is important for comfort and sale-ability. If things come together, it can help a family come together, or buyers to make an offer. It may seem like hinges have very little to do with the way a home looks, and that is both right and wrong.
You see, most designs don’t account for door hardware. When you are putting the grand vision of how a room should look, the things that hold up doors and cabinets aren’t usually a part of that master plan. Sure, sometimes door hardware can add to the aesthetic—but it’s not too common.
So, if grandiose hinges are a part of the feel, they should definitely look the way you want them. However, if you aren’t going for a particular look; why would you want the hinges displayed?
Invisible hinges can perform the same function, but without being seen. It creates clean lines and allows you to appreciate the cabinet, door and entryways without distracting you by seeing butt hinges with the pins sticking out.
Area Two: Safety
Keeping family members safe in the home is very important. Before you think that hinges don’t play a big part of that, we’d like an opportunity to change your mind. Two key safety factors can be influenced by the type of hinge you use.
- Intruders: Hinges are a vulnerable point on some doors that can be used to gain entry into a dwelling. With typical butt hinges an intruder merely needs a hammer and screw driver to remove the pin and take the door off. Choosing durable (especially invisible hinges) placed properly can reduce the number of ways to break into your home by removing the pins intruders can easily access.
- Injury: Hinges snagging clothes and skin is an inconvenience at best. Fingers and open skin can easily be harmed by protruding and sharp hinges. Using smooth or invisible hinges will help thwart this hassle.
Area Three: Quality
If you are going to pick the hardware to use in your home, it may as well be high-quality. Budgets are always tight on these projects, but the area to spend is on things that keep your home together.
Hinges hold up doors and cabinets. Bad ones can cause more damage to floors, squeak to your annoyance, and need to be replaced soon after the remodel/build is done.
Choosing a high-quality hinge can make all the difference years down the road.
SOSS Hinges can help with every item on this list. Our hardware stays out of the way making it better to design with, keep families safe, and all of our products will last for decades. We hope that you choose our products to help you make your next remodel or build last a lifetime.