How to choose strap hinges for gates and doors: weight and pins

For light doors, shutters and cabinet doors, light strap hinges of reduced thickness are enough. For gates, large doors and big leaves you need heavy strap hinges, thicker and with larger pins. If the leaf is made of iron you can weld; if it is made of wood it is fixed with screws or through bolts. In the collection you will find thicknesses from 2.5 to 6 mm for the hinges and pins from 10 to 18 mm: start from the weight of the leaf and its width, not from appearance.

The types

• Light strap hinge. Thin plate with an eye and hinge. For furniture doors, shutters, cabinet doors and small gates. One example is the Unifix light hinge in antique black Arte Povera finish.
• Heavy strap hinge. Thicker plate and larger eye, for gates and large doors.
• Straight and rounded strap hinges. Two plate shapes: see the galvanised straight strap hinges. The shape affects the appearance and how the hinge is fixed; check the data sheet.
• Black strap hinges. Dark finish, often chosen for gates and doors in a rustic style. For example the black strap hinges.
• Pin with plate or pintle. This is the fixed part on which the strap hinge turns, to be fixed to the post or frame. They come in white zinc-plated, black zinc-plated and similar finishes, such as the Unifix black zinc-plated Arte Povera pin with plate.
• Perforated strip. Not a hinge: it is a pre-drilled steel strap for reinforcement and fixing.
• Edge protection sleeve and fabric strap hinge. Products different from the steel ones: a rubber edge protector, such as the Unifix edge protection sleeve, and the Fischer GWB fabric strap hinge. They should not be confused with hinges.

How to choose by job

The features to look at

• Thickness. In the data it ranges from 0.8 mm for the strips, to 2.5-3.5 mm for the thinner strap hinges, up to 6 mm for the thickest. The thicker it is, the more weight it supports.
• Length. From 160-200 mm up to 400 mm. A longer strap hinge spreads the load better over the leaf.
• Pin diameter. 10, 12, 14 or 18 mm. The larger one is for heavy doors and gates, and must match the eye of the strap hinge.
• Screw diameter for the pins. From 5 to 7 mm. To be decided together with the material of the frame.
• Finish. Galvanised, white, black, nickel-plated, antique black Arte Povera. It changes the appearance and the resistance to damp.
• Material. Galvanised steel for most; brass or rubber for the accessory products.

Common mistakes

• Choosing the strap hinge by appearance alone. A light strap hinge on a large gate bends.
• Not aligning the pins. They must all lie on the same vertical axis, otherwise the leaf does not swing properly and jams.
• Using screws that are too short or weak. On large doors you need through bolts or screws suited to wood or metal.
• Ignoring exposure. Outdoors you need a protective finish, such as galvanising: bare steel rusts.
• Forgetting to grease. Pins and eyes should be greased from time to time, otherwise they wear out and squeak.

Frequently asked questions

How many strap hinges does a leaf need?

It depends on the weight and height. For small leaves two are enough; for tall, heavy gates more are fitted, well spaced along the leaf.

Is it better to weld or screw?

On iron frames welding is stronger. On wood you screw, preferably with through bolts for heavy leaves.

What is the difference between a strap hinge and a hinge?

A strap hinge is a type of steel hinge with a long plate and an eye, used mainly for gates, large doors and leaves. The pin is the fixed part on which it turns.

All the strap hinges and pins are in the Strap Hinges and Pins for Carpentry and DIY collection: if you are not sure what thickness and what pin you need, request a quote or ask the AMES technicians for advice.