Counterfeits deliver shorter-than-expected service life, poor safety, more emergency calls to repair critical installations, and an erosion of consumer confidence in the entire industry. Knock-offs are often more than low-quality but are faulty door hinges.
We’ve all heard horror stories of people buying fake or knock-off products, from name-brand clothing and accessories to electrical components. Only to have them fall apart after a few uses! There’s always the risk that you’ll end up with a sub-par product when you’re trying to save a few bucks.
That fake Rolex watch or fashion knock-off might not have cost you much, but it’s still incredibly frustrating to waste money on something that isn’t even real. Or something that lacks the performance, quality, and durability level that the real/original product would offer.
But at least those fake designer goods may not pose an immediate danger to the user.
When dealing with concealed hinges, however, opting for a knock-off can be downright dangerous to you, your house, and the entire industry that supports the development and manufacture of high-quality concealed hinges.
Here’s the thing: when a concealed hinge fails in a small cabinetry door, the damage may not be immediately obvious. But when a large, heavy door equipped with a knock-off concealed hinge breaks free, the results can be catastrophic, sometimes even fatal.
So, what are some of the dangers of using a knock-off concealed hinge?
The Dangers of Knockoff Concealed Hinges
1. First, you may never know they’re fake
Dangerous right?
When you buy a knock-off product, there’s always the risk that you’ll never know it’s not the real thing until it’s too late.
This is especially true when it comes to concealed hinges. Because these products are designed to be hidden away, you may never know that your door is equipped with a fake hinge until something goes wrong. And by then, it may be too late to do anything about it.
Even if you are an architect, contractor, or DIY enthusiast, it can be difficult to spot a fake hinge. That’s because many knock-off manufacturers go to great lengths to make their products look identical to the real thing.
In some cases, the only way to tell the difference is to take the hinge apart and examine the individual components or take cues of poor-quality craftsmanship, such as mismatched screws, mislabeled brand names, poorly-cut metal, etc.
Of course, by the time you realize that your hinge is a fake, it may be too late to do anything about it. The damage may have already been done, and you could be facing some serious consequences as a result.
You will know you have a genuine SOSS Invisible hinge because we proudly stamp our name on every hinge we make. If you don’t see the SOSS name stamped into the hinge you have a knockoff. It might look like our hinge, but isn’t, which means it might have an inferior casting, poor workmanship, or subgrade components. This will end up costing you more money over the long run than using a SOSS Invisible hinge from day one.
2. Knock-off invisible hinges are not safety tested
Knock-off hinges go through no safety testing before hitting the market. This is in stark contrast to real concealed hinges, which must undergo many tests to ensure they meet safety standards.
Some of the tests that concealed hinges must pass include: load testing, door swing tests, torque tests, door edge-in tests, and more. These tests are important because they help to ensure that the hinge can withstand the rigors of everyday use and will not fail under pressure.
Unfortunately, because knock-off manufacturers don’t have to adhere to any type of safety standards, there’s no telling how well their products will perform in the real world. This knockoff hinge actually cracked and the inferior metal ripped apart after a small fraction of cycle testing the SOSS Invisible hinges go through.
But don’t get it confused.
Knowing that today’s consumer is looking for identifiers of quality and safety, some counterfeiters will go as far as to fake certification marks from organizations like Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Others may slap phony certificates such as “American Made” on their products in an attempt to make them look legitimate.
So, how can you tell if a hinge is really safety tested?
- Do your homework and research the product before you buy it. Make sure you’re buying from a reputable source and that the product has all the necessary safety certification marks.
- If you’re unsure about a product, always err on the side of caution and choose another option. After all, it’s not worth risking your safety just to save a few bucks.
3. Subpar hinge metals may grind off into harmful dust
Invisible hinges have several moving parts that are intricately joined to give that seamless look. Because of this, it’s important that the metals used in their construction be of the highest quality.
However, when it comes to knock-off hinges, quality is often sacrificed in favor of saving a few bucks. As a result, the metals used in fake hinges are often subpar, and they may not be able to stand up to the rigors of use over time.
Worse yet, these metals may grind off into harmful dust that can be inhaled, ingested, or even come into contact with your skin. This could be a serious health hazard if you have kids, pets, or anyone with a compromised immune system in your home. Seriously, why risk the health and well-being of your loved ones just to save a few bucks on a hinge?
4. Accidents are prone to happen
There have been cases where invisible hinges yield under the weight of a heavy door or where they completely break apart, resulting in serious accidents. While many factors can contribute to these accidents, such as poor installation or incorrect door size, the use of knock-off hinges is also a major cause.
This is because knock-off hinges are not made to the same standards as real, certified concealed hinges. As a result, they may be unable to withstand the weight of a heavy door or the stress of constant use.
They are not even tested to the same safety standards, so you really have no way of knowing how well they will perform until it’s too late.
5. They won’t last as long
Another danger of using a knock-off concealed hinge is that it probably won’t last as long as the real thing.
Knock-off concealed hinges can have a poor design, poor castings, crappy parts, etc., that will allow them to sell below genuine hinges, but they will not last as long. That’s because knock-off manufacturers use lower-quality materials in their products, which means the hinges are more likely to break down over a couple of repeated use.
In fact, some of these cheap hinges have been known to break after just a few months of use. This is a major problem because it can cause all sorts of problems for your door, including alignment issues, difficulty opening and closing the door, and more.
There are cases of SOSS Invisible Hinges that were installed over 100 years ago, have never been replaced, and are still in use today and doing great.
6. There’s also the environmental cost to consider
Most counterfeit goods are produced in unregulated, unsustainable factories that have no regard for the environment.
So, when you buy a knock-off hinge, you’re not just supporting the practices of an unethical manufacturer – you’re also contributing to environmental degradation.
On the other hand, real concealed hinges are produced in factories that adhere to strict environmental regulations. The manufacturing process is cleaner and more sustainable, and the final product is less likely to end up in a landfill because of its premium quality that’s built to last.
So, when you buy a real concealed hinge, you can rest assured, knowing that you’re not harming the environment in the process.
7. You risk lowering your property value
Concealed hinges are premium products that add a touch of luxury to any home, hotel, or restaurant. From their design, quality, and finish, these pieces should speak of class, sophistication, and an appreciation of fine living.
Installing inferior knock-offs in your home gives the wrong impression to visitors, lowering the overall curb appeal of your property. They soon become squeaky, drafty, and just downright ugly, making your home or business look shabby and unkempt.
But even worse, using knock-off concealed hinges can actually lower the value of your property. When home buyers are looking at a property, they take into account the condition of the building itself and the quality of the fixtures and fittings.
If they see that you’ve used cheap, inferior products throughout the home, they’ll assume that other areas have been neglected as well and will be less likely to make a high offer.
So, not only will you have to put up with the poor performance of your knock-off concealed hinges, but you’ll also end up losing money in the long run.
It’s just not worth it!
8. They undermine hardworking manufacturers, jobs, and innovation
Cheap knock-off hinges erode consumer confidence in hardworking and innovative manufacturers who put a lot of time, effort, and money into developing quality products.
While a manufacturer such as SOSS uses premium materials and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes to create the strongest and most durable concealed hinges on the market, knock-off brands use subpar materials that don’t stand up to the rigors of everyday use.
What’s more, by flooding the market with cheap imitations, these knock-off brands undercut the prices of quality manufacturers, making it harder for them to stay in business. This, in turn, costs jobs and stifles innovation.
Companies such as SOSS have worked for well over 100 years, building a brand reputation, brand loyalty, and innovative products that have served homeowners and businesses for years.
When you buy a knock-off hinge, you’re not just getting an inferior product; you’re also supporting a system that’s bad for business, bad for workers, and bad for the economy.
So, next time you’re in the market for a concealed hinge, make sure to buy from a reputable manufacturer like SOSS. Not only will you get a superior product, but you’ll also be supporting quality jobs and the American manufacturing environment.
Quality Concealed Hinges Are Not Only Worth The Investment, But Are Also The Smarter Choice
The dangers of using cheap knock-off concealed hinges are clear. These products undermine hardworking manufacturers, cost jobs, and lower the value of your property. What’s more, they’re also bad for the environment
At SOSS, we take pride in our products and our reputation. We are always looking for innovative ways and improving our products and our processes to give you the best possible concealed hinges on the market.
Our invisible hinges are premium, heavy-duty materials that last a lifetime. And backed by our almost 120-year reputation for quality and excellence.
When we opened our doors, we made a commitment to provide homeowners and businesses with the best products on the market, and that’s a promise we still stand by today. Some of our hinges are still working 100 years later, which is a testament to their strength and durability.
So, when you buy from us, be confident that you’re getting a quality product that lasts. We may not be the cheapest option on the market, but we’re certainly a premium brand trusted by fine hotels, clean rooms, data centers, discerning homeowners, and marque properties such as The Whitehouse, Buckingham Palace, Falling Water, and The Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
When it comes to your home, don’t you deserve the best? Check our catalog today to find the perfect concealed hinge for your specific needs.