When should I replace my door hinges?

We take a look at the warning signs that your door hinges may need to be replaced, so that if a replacement is necessary, you can do so before any bigger problems occur.

Every 10-15 years

The type of hinges and the number of hinges installed are often chosen to cope with more weight than needed, resulting in a significant lifespan of between 10 and 15 years.

However, even though it is recommended that this timeframe is used, if you take good care of your hinges and perform regular maintenance, this lifespan can be increased to up to 25 years.

It does go without saying that if you discover damage to your hinges, they should be replaced immediately.

Door is sagging

If you find that your door has begun to sag and hang downwards, the problem could possibly be related to the hinges, particularly the hinge screws.

A simple fix for this issue would be to try tightening the screws, but if you find that while tightening the screws that they continue to rotate, the screws may need to be replaced with longer ones.

There are two methods you can use to rectify this issue, either replace the standard 1 inch screws with 1 and a half inch screws. Or alternatively, you can drill a 3 inch screw in the centre hole of the hinges, which results in the hinge being pulled closer to the door jamb, and the added benefit of the studs and the door frame being closer together.

But if these methods prove ineffective, a replacement will be necessary, as to not risk not only further damage to the door, but if the door drags on the floor underneath, this can cause both aesthetic and practical damage to the floor.

Rusting

It is fairly common knowledge that when fixtures start to rust, their functionality and integrity begin to compromise.

Due to the fact that hinges are responsible for attaching the door to the frame, if the integrity of the hinges fails completely, this can cause the door to completely detach from the frame. This is not only an issue because you will no longer have a functioning door, it can be a significant hazard to the user regularly opening and closing the door, especially if it fails unexpectedly.

This is particularly an issue in older domestic properties, as they tend to be built with hinges using materials that are prone to rusting.

When it comes to shopping for a replacement set of hinges, opt for products that are manufactured using rust-resistant materials such as stainless steel, ensuring that the hinges last for as long as possible.

Hinges with incompatible load bearing capacity

As previously mentioned, the most significant consideration when it comes to door hinge installations is the weight of the door. While usually the correct load bearing capacity is chosen, sometimes this is not the case.

Just like with rusting, using hinges that cannot cope with the weight of the door can cause it to fail, and as well as this, the excess pressure on the hinges can cause damage to the door frame, as well as the surrounding wall.

When considering your replacement hinges, it is important to note which type of door you are installing the hinges to, and purchase the correct hinges accordingly.

Light Duty: Up to 30kg – most commonly used in domestic interiors

Medium Duty: Between 30-80kg – most commonly used in domestic interiors and exteriors

Heavy Duty: Between 80-150kg – most commonly used in commercial properties in high traffic areas

Note: Fire Doors will require specific Fire Door Hinges

 If any of these circumstances apply to your current hinges, you can easily find a replacement for any type of door with our Door Hinges range. We even stock hinges specifically for Fire Doors, and you can find other types of hinges in our expansive range, including Cabinet Hinges, Cubicle Hinges and even Special Purpose Hinges for those specific projects.