Continuous hinges - sometimes known as piano hinges - are often used in cabinetry and, as the name implies, musical instruments. But there is much more to them than that. They are the go-to hinge for doors that need to be strong, low-maintenance, tamper-proof, secure. So, where can they be used, and what makes them one of our most-specified hinges?
What Are Continuous Hinges?
Unlike butt hinges, continuous hinges do just as their name suggests, running the full length of the door, panel or lid with no gaps. Two long metal leaves, one attached to the door and the other to the frame, are joined by a central pin or knuckle that runs the full length of the hinge for a single, continuous pivot point. This design gives continuous hinges exceptional strength, efficiency, and long-term reliability, ensuring smooth operation, reduced wear, and a secure fit even under heavy use.
How Do Continuous Hinges Work?
Continuous hinges work by distributing the weight of the two leaves evenly along its entire length rather than concentrating it at a few fixed points like traditional butt hinges. The two long leaves of the hinge are usually surface-mounted to the door and the frame, so there is no need for rebating. They are joined by a central pivot — usually a pin running through interlocking knuckles. Because the load is spread out, it reduces stress on the hinge, door, and frame, improving the durability and alignment of the door and frame over time.
The Key Benefits of Continuous Hinges
- Strong: continuous hinges support the full height of the door, offering exceptional strength and load-bearing capacity.
- Smooth: the full-length pivot provides consistent, smooth operation with minimal friction or resistance. This gives an easy, quiet operation that is perfect for sensitive settings.
- Tamper-proof: with no exposed pins or accessible fixings, continuous hinges are more difficult to tamper with than other types of hinges.
- Secure: the full-length support that continuous hinges give helps maintain door alignment and integrity, making forced entry more difficult.
- Safe: continuous hinges stop doors from sagging which helps them to close effectively - particularly important in a fire or other emergency.
- Long-lasting: evenly spreading weight reduces wear and stress, resulting in a longer service life.
- Low maintenance: fewer moving parts and even load distribution mean less need for adjustments or repairs over time.
- Sound: continuous hinges contribute to better performance for fire doors and acoustic doors, as the uninterrupted design helps maintain seals and enhance the overall integrity of the assembly.
Where can Continuous Hinges be used?
Continuous hinges can be used anywhere where a door, lid or panel needs to open reliably and smoothly throughout its lifetime. But because they are so robust and consistent, they are often used on doors and other locations where the demands placed on them are high:
- Healthcare: on ward doors, treatment rooms, sluice doors, and access-controlled areas, continuous hinges help maintain alignment and smooth operation on doors that are in constant use and may be heavy and automated. Their full-length design also reduces dirt traps for easier cleaning.
- Education: ideal for classrooms, corridors, and plant room doors, where durability is key. These hinges help prevent sagging and reduce maintenance in schools and universities with high daily footfall and frequent door use. Their tamper-proof properties are an added benefit.
- Transport hubs: continuous hinges are often used in airports, railway stations, and bus depots on security doors, maintenance areas, and public access routes. Their tamper-resistant design and ability to handle heavy doors make them suitable for these busy, 24/7 environments.
- Commercial and public buildings: from office blocks and hotels to museums and civic centres, continuous hinges are chosen for entrance doors, fire doors, and service areas. They ensure smooth, quiet operation and reduce stress on both the door and the frame.
- Secure facilities: in prisons, mental health units, and other custodial environments, continuous hinges offer added safety with anti-ligature and tamper-resistant features to help meet security standards and reduce the risk of injury.
But as well as doors, our continuous hinges find their way into many other places where a robust, dependable pivot is needed:
- Electrical enclosures and control panels: in industrial settings, continuous hinges are used on metal cabinets, control panels, and switchgear enclosures. They allow regular access for servicing without weakening the hinge or door over time, even in harsh environments.
- Machine access panels and inspection hatches: essential in factories and plant rooms, these hinges support panels that must be opened frequently while keeping alignment tight and secure for safety and performance.
- Toolboxes and heavy-duty storage boxes: continuous hinges are used on large lids and cases that require even support and protection from twisting or warping - particularly in industrial, construction, emergency services or military applications.
- Movable partitions and acoustic walls: found in meeting rooms, performance spaces, and schools, where full-height hinges help maintain smooth folding or swinging movement across large panels.
- Folding worktops and desks: in commercial furniture, mobile workstations, and even vehicle conversions, continuous hinges allow for sturdy, fold-out surfaces that stay level and secure.
- Vehicles and transport engineering: continuous hinges are often used on buses, coaches, lorries, and specialist vehicles, particularly on access panels, equipment hatches, and storage compartments. Their strength and resistance to vibration make them ideal for mobile environments, while their full-length support helps prevent rattling, misalignment, or premature wear from constant movement and road use.
What material should continuous hinges be made of?
We make a wide variety of continuous hinges for light, medium and heavy-duty applications, and we match the material to the application so that it suits the job it is being asked to do:
- Stainless steel: often specified for its high strength, corrosion resistance, and fire performance, stainless steel is ideal for healthcare, education, secure environments, and for external doors. We often suggest stainless steel for jobs where the hinges will be exposed to the elements. For instance, this is what we chose to make hinges for use on a lifeboat in the corrosion resistant and hardwearing grade 316 stainless steel that needed to withstand the harshest conditions imaginable.
- Brass: used where corrosion resistance, longevity, and a premium finish are required, often for bespoke or architectural applications.
- Aluminium: typically for lighter-duty applications or where weight is a concern. Aluminium can also be specified in budget-sensitive projects or where non-ferrous hinges are specified.
- Mild Steel: used where stainless steel isn’t necessary, often in low-risk or internal areas.
When to Choose a Continuous Hinge Over Other Types of Hinges
Continuous hinges are the right choice when durability, alignment, and long-term performance matter more than quick installation or cost alone. They’re particularly useful when:
- Doors are heavy, oversized, or subject to high use
- You want to reduce maintenance
- Security or tamper-resistance is critical
- Fire or acoustic performance is important
- Smooth, quiet, wobble-free operation is needed
While they may not always be necessary for light-duty domestic doors or where the budget is tight, continuous hinges are a smart, future-proof option for demanding applications.
Customised and Specialist Continuous Hinges
We can manufacture bespoke continuous hinges in-house with a wide range of lengths, leaf widths, knuckle sizes, and materials. We can manufacture continuous hinges in stainless steel, brass, aluminium, or mild steel, with various finishes depending on the application. Fixing holes can be positioned to match specific project requirements, and we can add custom features like logo etching or protective coatings where needed.
With advanced machinery and years of in-house expertise, we can deliver low-volume bespoke runs or high-volume production of high-performance, British-made hinges that are built to last.
Why Choose Continuous Hinges?
Continuous hinges offer a practical, long-lasting solution for demanding applications, from heavy doors in public buildings to industrial panels and transport equipment. Their full-length design brings tangible benefits in strength, performance, and reliability, so they are a sensible choice where functionality matters. With a variety of materials, finishes, and custom options available, they can be made to meet the needs of almost any project. If you're specifying hardware for a high-use or high-risk environment, continuous hinges are well worth considering.
Get in touch with the team and we’ll help you find the right solution, whether it’s a standard hinge or a custom-made option that suits your project.
FAQs
Q: What are continuous hinges used for?
A: Continuous hinges are used in many applications that need robust and reliable support, such as doors in high-traffic areas (e.g. schools and hospitals), access panels, storage compartments, and equipment enclosures.
Q: What is the difference between a butt hinge and a continuous hinge?
A: A butt hinge supports a door at two or three fixed points, while a continuous hinge runs the full height of the door for even weight distribution and greater durability.
Q: Can continuous hinges be used outdoors?
A: Yes, stainless steel continuous hinges are ideal for external doors due to their strength and corrosion resistance.
Q: Do continuous hinges meet fire door standards?
A: When manufactured from appropriate materials, tested with the door set and fitted correctly, continuous hinges can be used on fire doors.
Q: Can continuous hinges be cut to size?
A: Yes, many continuous hinges can be cut to the required length on site, although it’s more precise and efficient to order them pre-cut to specification.
Q: Do continuous hinges need special maintenance?
A: Continuous hinges are generally low-maintenance due to their design, but periodic inspection and lubrication (if applicable) can help ensure optimal performance over time.