Butterfly hinges for interior doors: which ones to buy and how to install

Features of butterfly loops

The difference between butterfly door hinges and others is their installation. If the usual ones are installed using a cutout, then with butterflies everything is easier - you just need to screw them onto the door and frame. The fastening plate simplifies the task for the master. When the door is closed, part of the hinge, which is located on the leaf itself, will fit along the contour into the connector, which is located on the opening.

This type of fittings has universal characteristics:

1. During installation, it does not matter which side the hinges are installed on. The main thing is that the rectangular part is on the opening, and the shaped part is on the door leaf.
2. Even a beginner with no experience installing doors will have no problems with installation.

Also, if you do not take into account the technical characteristics, butterfly loops have several features: they differ in materials of manufacture, as well as in size. Thanks to this, they can be matched to any interior.

The rectangular part should be on the box Source paladii.ua

Common Mistakes

The most harmless thing is that it may be an incorrect indentation from the edge of the canvas. If the hinges are installed correctly, but too close to the edges, then you will simply ruin the appearance.

The distance to the edge of the canvas is too small.

The next and most common mistake is when people confuse the installation locations: the small inner part of the hinge is attached to the box, and the large outer part is attached to the canvas. This setup is dangerous for several reasons.

If the outer part of the loop runs along the edge of the canvas, then the holes will be at a distance of a couple of millimeters from the edge, respectively, if you slightly skew the screw and it will come out from the side, or you may get caught in a knot and then the outer edge will break off altogether.

The holes are too close to the edge.

If installed correctly, the holes in the small part of the butterfly will be located almost in the center of the door leaf, which means there is no need to worry about any cracks or distortions.

Correct installation of the loop on the canvas.

Things are no better with the box. The photo shows that the holes are too close, and the thickness of the lightweight box is small, so it can burst under load.

The inner part of the butterfly cannot be attached to the box.

In addition, the box is usually attached to the wall with anchors in 3 places - these are two points under the hinges and one in the lock area. If we do everything as expected, then we will have 2 places left where we can drive the anchor and cover it with a loop, otherwise the anchor will be visible, which is also not very good.

Points at which fastening anchors for the box can be driven.

There is one more nuance: during installation, all hinges must be strictly parallel to each other. The slightest distortion vertically or horizontally will lead to the door starting to “play” and eventually the hinge will burst or the screws will break out.

Vertical and horizontal skew of the loop is unacceptable.

Materials of manufacture and dimensions

Due to the fact that technological progress has come quite far, butterfly loops are made from a variety of materials. The structure is made according to your own drawing, as well as from various materials. But it is important to take into account the characteristics of the metal.

1. Brass is resistant to external factors.
2. Steel is resistant to temperature changes and high humidity (no corrosion).
3. Zinc hinges are relatively inexpensive, but there are a few things to keep in mind when installing awnings on interior doors. This metal is susceptible to corrosion and may break if used frequently. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the product does not get wet. And if squeaks or noises appear, it is necessary to lubricate the hinges.

Zinc butterfly hinges Source baucenter.ru
Based on size, hinges are divided into two types: 10x3 cm and 12.5x3 cm. In two versions, the thickness of the fasteners is approximately 2-3 mm. They are also called “four” and “five”, respectively, but these names are used mainly by craftsmen or sellers. This indicates the dimensions in inches.

For a regular interior door, two parts are needed, but if the door is heavy and made of heavy material, then it is advisable to install three or four fasteners.

Four-piece loops are made for lightweight fabric Source plitochkin.ru

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in doors, windows, related fittings and works

Tools

Installation is simply impossible to carry out without a whole list of necessary tools and equipment for the process. Before performing work, you should select and prepare:

• matching door hinges;
• marker or simple pencil for making marks;
• screwdriver and screws;
• several wooden wedges, if you need to align the canvas and hinges;
• level for measuring the evenness of the installation;
• hammer.

Once all the necessary materials have been collected, you can begin directly attaching the door hinges.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before you make a choice which hinges to buy for interior doors, you need to understand for yourself the pros and cons of each type.

The advantages of butterfly loops include several points:

1. Easy to install. They are not mounted at the base of the door or opening, so there is no need to think about labor-intensive preparation.
2. Cheaper compared to other options.
3. They are reliable and wear-resistant if they are initially installed in compliance with all standards.
4. These are universal fastenings, since butterfly hinges can be installed on interior doors for both external and internal openings.

It is necessary to cut gaps for standard door hinges. Source dveridoc.ru
This hardware also has a number of disadvantages:

1. Once the fastening is installed, the door cannot be removed. Butterflies do not come apart like standard hinges. Therefore, you will have to completely dismantle them, which can be difficult.
2. If installed incorrectly, distortions may occur, which can lead to jamming of the structure.
3. Basically, such hinges are made for lightweight doors. If you install them on massive canvases, they may not be able to cope with the load.
4. Distortions can also appear if the door leaf is uneven.

The selection and installation of hinges must be taken responsibly so that after a short time you do not have to change or reinstall the fasteners.

For massive canvases you need more loops Source sdelalremont.ru

Advantages of hinged hinges

Typically, butterfly hinges are used as fittings for the first attempt at installing an interior door. They are characterized by the following advantages:

• Relative strength and wear resistance. Typically, this fittings are made of stainless steel or brass and coated with a galvanic layer, which provides additional resistance to mechanical wear.
• Easy installation. The hinges do not require insertion, so inserting them does not require the help of a specialist.
• Comfort of use. The design of the fittings includes bearings that ensure smooth operation and no squeaking.
• Versatility. Suitable for left and right door mounting.
• Aesthetic appearance. The stylish and modern shape of the hinges goes well with many interior styles. A wide range of colors allows you to choose fittings in accordance with the shade of the door.

To hang a standard size canvas, it is enough to purchase two loops designed for loads from 40 to 100 kg.

Video description

This video shows how to properly install butterfly hinges.
To install hinges on interior doors, you do not need to make cutouts in the panels and doors, which greatly simplifies the task and saves time:

1. The first step is to attach a loop to the side of the canvas at a distance of 200-250 mm from the edge to mark the holes for fastening.
2. Afterwards, indentations are made on the marks with a drill. If you start screwing in the screws right away, the material may crack. This will also create the correct direction for screwing. The inner part is attached to the canvas, because it is problematic to mark the location of the inner side on the box.
3. Next, the distance is measured with a ruler and marks are placed for the screws.

“Butterflies” are very easy to install Source dvervdome.ru
Since the hinges have a non-separable design, you must first drill holes everywhere and then immediately install the entire finished structure. It is advisable to install the mechanism first on the door, and then on the frame.

During the installation process, sometimes there is a snag: the strip does not fully contact the door. If the situation is not changed, the hinges will not fully connect when the door is closed or will “play.” You can eliminate this problem by placing a strip of paper or elastic under the bar, on the side where it fits tightly.

The door will close tightly if everything is done correctly Source yandex.net

Turnkey replacement cost

When planning to remove the doors from the old hinges with your own hands and replace the fittings with new ones, you need to understand that mistakes made due to illiteracy or accident will lead to unpleasant consequences:

• damage to the door leaf (dents, scratches, chips, etc.);
• box damage;
• damage to new hinges.

Without the proper skills, you should entrust the dismantling, disassembly, repair or replacement of accessories to specialists. Professionals will carefully and quickly complete the work and offer a choice of hinges that can be installed for a specific design. Excessive savings on calling specialists usually results in additional costs.

Standard repair of an interior door (replacing hinges, etc.) costs approximately 850 rubles. The service may include dismantling, leveling the surface of the canvas and box, varnishing or painting, installing fittings, lubrication, etc. The exact cost depends on the company, the features of the canvas and design, and other factors.

Replacing hinges on interior doors is not particularly difficult when you have experience and the appropriate tools. In other cases, especially when working with expensive solid wood doors and designer structures, it is better to contact specialists. The service will cost less than restoring the door or buying a new one to replace the damaged one.

How to lubricate butterfly hinges

There is no need to lubricate anything right away, since they already have factory lubricant. But with daily use it becomes less and an unpleasant sound appears. To get rid of it, you need to pour a little lubricant into the moving mechanism.

There are four options for lubricating the butterfly hinges of interior doors:

1. The easiest and most effective method is the use of sewing machine oil. But not everyone has such liquid.
2. The modern way is to use WD-40, but not everyone has lubricant either. It is without a greasy base and one or two injections are enough for the loop to stop being smeared.
3. The third method is vegetable oil, but this method does not last long.
4. And the last option, which also won’t last long, is a pencil. It is inserted into the mechanism and needs to be moved. The stylus will crumble and treat the inner surface.

WD-40 effectively lubricates hinges Source amazon.com
In order not to damage the mechanism and lubricate the hinges correctly, you need to understand the technology:

1. The door must be opened all the way and secured so that it does not move.
2. The oil is poured inside with a syringe with a needle, after which it is necessary to remove the fixation.
3. Next, the mechanism needs to be developed (close and open the door several times), this will disperse the lubricant.

Since these hinges cannot be removed due to their installation, if the problem is not eliminated by lubrication, it is necessary to replace the structure completely.

Briefly about the main thing

Butterfly hinges are very easy to install; they do not require cutting out part of the door or special preparation.

It is best to buy brass hinges; they will last the longest, as they do not depend on temperature and moisture.

Hinges made of zinc are the cheapest, but they need to be lubricated more often and care should be taken not to allow moisture to enter (for example, during wet cleaning).

For lightweight doors, you can buy a couple of “fours”, but for massive ones it is better to take 3-4 “fives” so that the leaf holds securely.

It is better to install first on the door and then on the frame. It is important that the butterfly strip fits evenly to the surface, otherwise there will be a gap between the door and the frame.

It is advisable to lubricate with machine oil or WD-40; vegetable oil will not last long.

If lubricant does not help remove squeaks, then it is necessary to completely dismantle and replace the hinges.

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Hole preparation

Holes are created using a drill based on the markings. An electric screwdriver with an appropriate attachment is also suitable as an alternative tool. In addition, the use of a cutter is a must, which ensures that the structural integrity of the door facade and cabinet panel is preserved. Otherwise, drilling a hole can lead to chipping and deformation of the wood panel. The insertion should be made with a depth of no more than 12 mm, which will be enough for a reliable hole for the loop cup platform. It is better to select the drilling speed yourself, based on the density of the material from which the facade and cabinet are made. While chipboard panels are fairly easy to process, natural walnut or ash are distinguished by high strength. For the same reason, you need to ensure that the drill works strictly at an angle of 90 degrees, from which it can easily deviate if you are dealing with hard natural wood.