Replacing European hinges isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do. There’s some hardware lingo to be familiar with to determine the right replacement hinge. Luckily, our experts at The Hardware Hut are here to help.
In order to identify the concealed European hinge you have, and suggest the right replacement, we’ll need the following information. This info will better help us help you. We’ll need three measurements, along with 1-2 pictures. The form at the bottom of this blog will allow you to upload that information for replacing European hinges.
Check for Brand Names
First, check for any brand names on the hinge. It’s important to identify the brand because the door prep can be different between brands. It’s best to stick with the same brand so you don’t have to drill new holes in the door or cabinet. Popular brand names would be Grass, Mepla, Salice, Blum, or Hafele. If you only see a logo but no name, send us a picture and we’ll be able to identify the brand. Brand names usually show up in the cup of the hinge. If your brand is Salice, we actually have a selection tool built to assist you without needing to complete the form below. If you have any other brand, or don’t know the brand, then continue reading.
Take Pictures
Second, we’ll need two pictures. One taken standing in front of the cabinet with the doors closed—so we can see how to door sits in the cabinet frame. And one of the hinge itself from the inside of the cabinet, with the door open—so we can see how the hinge and plate mount and function. (Examples of images are below). Pictures will also show if it’s a one-piece or two-piece hinge. Please take pictures of a hinge/cabinet door that is still installed and functioning correctly if possible.
Measure the Overlay
Next, we’ll need to know the overlay measurement. A cabinet door can either be “inset” or have an overlay. An inset cabinet door is set inside the cabinet frame and fits flush within the cabinet frame. An overlay door is set outside and in front of the cabinet frame. An example of an overlay door is below. If your door sits flush/inset with the cabinet frame, you can skip this step since the overlay will be 0”. If your door sits in front of the cabinet (like the pictures below), follow the steps below to measure the overlay.
To measure the overlay, follow these three steps:
- With the door closed, make a pencil mark on the cabinet frame where the edge of the door on the hinge side extends to.
- Open the door.
- With a measuring tape or ruler, measure the distance from the inside edge of the cabinet frame to that pencil mark. (It should be 1” or less.)
Measure the DBE
Next, we’ll need to know the DBE measurement. The DBE (distance before edge) is a measurement on the actual door, rather than the cabinet. It’s the measurement from the outside edge of the door to the edge of the borehole made for the hinge. It’ll be a small measurement, most likely 3-6mm. Nowadays, most concealed hinges use a standard DBE of 3-6mm, but as recently as the ’90s, that was not the case. Even with newer hinges, specialty hinges can stray from the 3-6mm DBE, so it is worth double-checking because this measurement will affect the overlay.
Measure the Cup Hole Diameter and Screw Hole Distance
Lastly, to ensure we suggest a hinge that will install easily into your cabinet without having to re-drill holes, we’ll want to know the diameter of the hinge cup hole and the distance between the screw holes. Just like the DBE measurement, there is a standard 35mm cup hole and 45mm screw distance, but that’s not the case for older, or specialty hinges. You’ll need to unscrew the hinge from the door to find these measurements.
Final Step: Complete the Form Below
You’ve done it! Now leave the rest to us. Fill out the European Hinge Replacement form below and attach pictures. We’ll contact you within two business days to suggest a replacement.
This covers 99% of European hinges, but if yours isn’t quite matching up, please contact us or connect with us on Facebook.
