Hinge Glossary: Essential Terms for Hinges
Choosing the right hinge is easier when you understand the terminology behind it. This A–Z glossary explains the hinge terms you’re most likely to come across when selecting, fitting or specifying Phoenix hinges. Written in a clear, practical way, it’s a useful reference for joiners, fabricators, installers and anyone working with door hardware.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Adjustable Hinge
A hinge with built-in adjustment so you can fine-tune the door position after fitting. Useful for quick on-site corrections.
Anti-clockwise / Clockwise
Describes the handing of a door based on its closing direction. A door that closes anticlockwise when facing it is anti-clockwise-handed; one that closes clockwise is clockwise-handed.
Architectural Hinge
A robust hinge designed for higher-use doors in homes, public buildings or commercial spaces.
B
Barrel
The round central section of the hinge, formed by the knuckles, which houses the pin.
Bearing
A hidden component inside some hinges that reduces friction and gives smoother, longer-lasting movement.
Butt Hinge
The most common hinge type. Two leaves joined by a central pin, used on everything from internal doors to heavy-duty applications.
C
Cabinet Hinge
A small hinge used on cupboards, cabinets and light enclosures.
Clearance Gap
The gap between the door and frame. Correct hinge choice helps maintain even, functional clearances.
Concealed Bearing Hinge
A hinge with polymer bearings hidden inside the knuckle. Low friction and maintenance-free.
Concealed Hinge
A hinge fitted inside the door and frame, so it isn’t visible when the door is shut.
Conductor Hinge
See Power Transfer Hinge.
Continuous Hinge (Piano Hinge)
A full-length hinge that runs the height of the door for even load distribution and smooth movement.
Cranked Hinge
A hinge with one or both leaves bent (“cranked”) to reposition the door for clearance or alignment reasons.
D
Decorative Finishes
Surface treatments used for appearance or protection, e.g. stainless steel, brass, bronze or black finishes.
Dog Bolt
A security pin built into the hinge to stop the door from being lifted from the frame.
E
Equal / Unequal Leaves
Where the two hinge leaves are the same width (equal) or different (unequal).
F
Falling Hinge
A hinge that lowers the door slightly as it opens. Used in some specialist applications.
Fire Door Hinge
A hinge designed for fire-rated doors and tested to the relevant performance standards.
Fixed Pin Hinge
A hinge with a non-removable pin for improved security.
Flag Hinge
A hinge with one leaf shaped like a flag, allowing the door to be lifted off when needed.
Floor Spring
A concealed door closer installed in the floor to work with pivot systems. Common on glass or heavier doors.
Flush Hinge
A hinge that sits flush in the door and frame once fitted.
G
Glass Door Hinge
A hinge specially designed for fixing to glass using clamps, retainers or gaskets.
Grades (BS EN 1935)
The performance grading system for single-axis hinges. Indicates durability, load capacity, corrosion resistance and usage level.
H
Handing
Indicates whether a hinge or door is left-hand or right-hand, based on opening direction.
I
Intumescent Hinge Pad
A thin sheet fitted behind hinges on fire doors. Expands at high temperatures to help maintain the door’s fire resistance.
J
Jamb
The vertical part of the door frame to which the hinge is fixed.
K
Knuckle
The rounded sections of the hinge leaves that interleave together to form the barrel.
L
Leaf
The flat plate of the hinge attached to the door or the frame.
Lift-Off Hinge
A hinge that allows the door to be removed by lifting it upward, without undoing screws.
Load-Bearing Capacity
The maximum weight a hinge is designed to support, usually confirmed through testing.
M
Marine-Grade Hinge
A hinge made from 316 stainless steel for high corrosion resistance in coastal or wet environments.
Medium-Duty Hinge
A hinge designed for everyday use on standard residential or commercial doors.
P
Parliament Hinge
A wide-throw hinge that allows the door to open fully and lie flat against a wall.
Pin
The central metal rod that runs through the hinge knuckles.
Piano Hinge
See Continuous Hinge.
Pivot Hinge
A hinge system that allows the door to pivot on a point rather than swing on traditional hinge leaves.
Power Transfer Hinge
A hinge containing concealed conductors that allow power or signals to pass through the door, typically used for electronic locks.
Projection Hinge
A hinge designed with extended knuckles that makes the door clear a frame or architrave to open wide.
Pivot Set
A two-part pivot system (usually at the head of the door and in the floor) that carries the weight of the door for smooth movement.
R
Reduced-Ligature Hinge
A hinge designed to reduce ligature risks in mental health or secure environments.
Rising Butt Hinge
A hinge that lifts the door slightly as it opens to clear carpets or uneven floors.
S
Security Hinge
A hinge designed to resist tampering, featuring items like fixed pins, dog bolts or anti-lift components.
Self-Closing Hinge
A hinge that automatically returns the door to the closed position.
Special-Function Hinge
A hinge with built-in features such as spring action or power transfer.
Spring Hinge
A hinge using an internal spring to return the door to the closed position.
Stainless Steel Hinge
Made from stainless steel for strength, longevity and corrosion resistance.
Stormproof Hinge
A cranked hinge designed for use on timber windows that need a totally weathertight seal.
Swing-Clear Hinge
A hinge that moves the door completely out of the opening to maximise clear passage width; helpful for accessibility.
T
Tamper-Resistant Hinge
A hinge designed to prevent removal or interference, often using non-removable pins.
Tested Hinge
A hinge independently tested to relevant performance standards, such as BS EN 1935 for durability and load-bearing.