What is a cabinet hinge? Can't say? Let me tell you, a cabinet hinge is one of the common accessories used in every cabinet. How to choose a good cabinet hinge?
1. How to choose a cabinet hinge
1. Check the material and feel it.
A good quality hinge feels solid and has a smooth surface. Moreover, due to the thick coating on the surface, it looks relatively bright. Such hinges are sturdy and durable, with strong load-bearing capacity, allowing cabinet doors to open and close smoothly without issues of the door not closing tightly. In contrast, poor quality hinges are generally made of thin iron sheets, which do not look as bright, feel rough, and are thinner.
2. On-site testing
At the purchase site, you can try several hinge samples. A good hinge opens with a gentle force and has uniform rebound strength, while a poor quality hinge has almost no rebound strength.
3. Check the market situation
When buying, you should not only look at the brand but also pay attention to the specific place of origin. Of course, you get what you pay for; good products may be much more expensive than average ones. However, the number of hinges needed in the kitchen is limited, but the work they do is the most. Installing a few "capable" hinges in your kitchen will surely be the most cost-effective choice.
4. Ask more questions
In light of the mixed quality in the current kitchen hardware market, consumers should ask more questions when purchasing brand hinges to see if the hinge has two-stage or one-stage force; two-stage force is relatively better.
This mainly depends on the elasticity of the spring in the hinge. Two-stage force hinges have a larger spring elasticity, so the spring force from 0 degrees to 15 degrees is the same as from 15 degrees to 90 degrees; while one-stage force hinges have smaller spring elasticity, so the spring force from 0 degrees to 15 degrees is significantly greater than from 15 degrees to 90 degrees, which is reflected in the speed of the cabinet door slowing down significantly from 15 degrees to 90 degrees. Additionally, hinges with poor springs will have worse elasticity over time and are prone to damage.
2. Three key points for purchasing cabinet hinges
Inspection reports are essential
When asked about inspection reports, many merchants will present raw material inspection reports. In fact, the country requires a finished product inspection report for furniture, which must indicate the formaldehyde content. Raw material inspection reports cannot replace finished product inspection reports, and consumers need to be vigilant to avoid being misled by merchants.
After-sales service is a guarantee
Merchants that can provide quality after-sales service must have strong confidence in their products. From all aspects, their product quality will be relatively high. Conversely, consumers should try to avoid choosing cabinets that seem very attractively priced but have poor guarantees, especially those without a warranty period, as this can cause trouble for future product issues.
Paying attention to details brings peace of mind
Whether the edges of the countertop have rounded corners to prevent bumps, whether the opening angle of the hanging cabinet will hit the body—these user-friendly designs should also be factors for consumers when choosing cabinets. The selection of hardware accessories should not be overlooked; items like slides, hinges, pull-out baskets, and drawer handles are all important, especially for the installation of hanging cabinets, which must be balanced and secure; otherwise, there could be significant safety hazards. This includes whether the cabinet's edge banding is tight, whether the feel is straight and smooth; quality edge banding not only extends the cabinet's lifespan but also provides good hygiene protection for the cabinet.
How to choose a cabinet hinge? Most cabinets are already installed with hinges when made, so there is no need for people to choose and buy them separately. If you want to buy hinges, you can refer to the three key points for purchasing cabinet hinges. Understanding these aspects will make it simpler and more convenient to buy hinges, and it will also help you get a good cabinet.
