Concealed Hinges Made Easy!
	
	
	concealed hinge illustrated guide
				Difficulty:  Intermediate

Concealed hinges are the BEST way to add doors to your projects.  In this
 illustrated guide with video tutorial, we make it simple and straight
 forward to install concealed hinges on cabinets.



Why Concealed Hinges?
Concealed hinges (sometimes call Euro Hinges) are my favorite type of
 hinge.  

Hidden behind the door for a clean cabinetry look
Many options to get exactly what you need for your cabinet
Readily available at most home improvement stores
Reasonably priced
Opens without needing side clearance
Easy to open and close and does not need a magnetic clasp to keep closed
Very adjustable with just a screwdriver
Actually very easy to install with a little know how!

Yes, I said that!  These hinges are actually easy to install with just a
little know how.  In this video, I go through the entire process of
choosing and installing these cabinet hinges.

And here's more specifics as promised in the video:



Selecting the Right Hinge
Concealed hinges come in different options to help you get the right
install method and overlay for your specific cabinet.  Here's the main
options:



Face Frame or Frameless?
Face frame concealed hinges differ from frameless concealed hinges simply
by how they are attached to the cabinet carcass.  If you cabinet is a face
frame cabinet, it will have trim around the front edges of the carcass.
	
	
	concealed hinges face frame or frameless

The main difference between the hinges themselves is how they mount to the
cabinet. A frameless concealed hinge will have a plate, and a face frame
will have a bracket that fits over the face frame.
	
	
	types of concealed hinges



Frameless Overlay Options
If you have a frameless cabinet, there's two standard overlay choices.

Frameless Full Overlay is for standalone cabinets, where there's only
hinges on one side of a carcass side.  This is most common, and is usually
a 5/8" or 1/2" overlay (check with your hinge brand). This includes
cabinets with double doors, as long as hinges aren't attached on the same
carcass side.  Here is an example of the Frameless Full Overlay Hinge.
Frameless Half Overlay is for situations where two doors share the same
carcass side.  This isn't common, but if you are building your own
cabinets all in a run, it's handy to have these hinges. Here is an example
of the Frameless Half Overlay Hinge.
	
	
	frameless concealed hinge overlays



Face Frame Overlay Options
A standard face frame is 1-1/2" thick.  So there's alot of options for
overlays with a face frame.  Here are the most common:

1-1/4" Overlay - Used for a cabinet door that almost completely covers the
face frame (most common).  This will leave a 1/4" reveal around the door.
1" Overlay - Door covers 1" of the face frame.  Sometimes used for end
cabinets, or when more of a face frame reveal is desired.  
1/2" Overlay - Can be used for when two cabinet doors are mounted on the
same 1x2 face frame stile.  Can also be used for a larger reveal of the
face frame.
1/4" or 5/16" Overlay - Use for semi-overlays where a large amount of the
face frame is revealed.



Sizing Doors
Sizing doors is simple.

Measure the opening
Add the hinge overlay amount
Add the desired overlay amount on the non hinge side
Add the overlay amount on the top and bottom



Installing the Hinges on the Doors
Regardless of the hinge mounting type (frameless or faceframe) and the
overlay, installing on the cabinet door is usually consistent.  DO check
with your specific hinges for a template or more specifics.  Here is the
standard setting I use to bore holes in the cabinet door
	
	
	drilling holes for cabinet door hinges

35 MM Holes (standard on most jigs) or 1-3/8" Forstner Bit
1/2" deep hole
5 MM inset 
2-1/2" to 3-1/2" from top or bottom of door, if third hinge for taller
doors, third hinge is centered on door.

Once you have the holes bored for the concealed hinges, simply place the
hinge in the hole and square it up with a square or a straight edge on two
hinges.  Then predrill holes using a self-centering bit and finish with
screws.



Installing Concealed Hinges on Face Frame Cabinets
Face frame installation of concealed hinges is very easy, since the hinge
bracket will cup the face frame.  The only fitting will be up or down.  To
install

Measure the center point of the hinge to the top of the door.  (Should be
 between 2-1/2" to 3-1/2" depending on where you bored your holes)
Subtract the desired top overlay from this measurement. 
Mark the cabinet face frame down from the top edge this distance and make
 a horizontal line on the inside edge of the face frame. 
Attach the hinge bracket with the screw centered on your line.
On concealed hinges, there is usually up and down adjustment as well to
 get your doors perfectly lined up.
	
	
	installing hinges on frameless cabinets



Installing Concealed Hinges on Frameless Cabinets
First, check to see if your hinges come with a template.  If not, we have a
simple way of doing this (as shown in my video tutorial)

Measure your hinges how far back the screw holes are set
Draw a line on the inside of the cabinet this distance inset, parallel to
the front edge of the cabinet
Start your screws on the line 
	
	
	concealed hinges frameless installation



Pin For Later!
	
	
	Concealed Hinges Made Easy! Video and Illustrated Guide
 


Tools


 
 
 




Tape Measure


Speed Square


Pencil


Drill

Project Type
Other Projects
Room
kitchen