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English Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-11-26 Origin: Site
Concealed hinges offer a clean, modern look for cabinets and doors by remaining completely hidden when the door is closed. This seamless appearance is a popular choice for contemporary kitchens, sleek furniture, and minimalist interiors. However, achieving this flawless finish requires careful planning, especially when it comes to door thickness. Installing a concealed hinge on a door that is too thin can compromise its structural integrity, while a door that is too thick might not close properly.
So, how thick does a door need to be for concealed hinges? The short answer is that it depends on the specific hinge you choose. Most standard concealed hinges require a door thickness of at least 16mm (about 5/8 inch). However, there are specialized options for both thicker and thinner doors.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the right concealed hinges for your project. We'll cover standard thickness requirements, how to measure your door, and what to do if your door falls outside the typical range.
Concealed hinges, also known as European hinges or cup hinges, are engineered to be invisible from the outside when a cabinet door is shut. They consist of two main parts: the hinge cup, which is installed into a circular hole drilled into the back of the door, and the mounting plate, which attaches to the cabinet frame or side panel. This design not only provides a sleek, uninterrupted look but also allows for easy adjustment, ensuring perfect door alignment.
These hinges are the standard for modern cabinetry because they offer three-way adjustability—up/down, left/right, and in/out. This flexibility makes it possible to get perfectly aligned doors with even gaps, even if the cabinet box isn't perfectly square.
For the majority of residential and commercial cabinetry, the standard thickness for doors is between 16mm (5/8") and 22mm (7/8"). Most major concealed hinge manufacturers, like Blum, Salice, and Grass, design their primary product lines to work within this range.
Why is this the standard? A door needs to be thick enough to accommodate the hinge cup without weakening the wood or material around it. The cup for a standard concealed hinge is typically 35mm in diameter and requires a drilling depth of about 11mm to 13mm. If the door is too thin, drilling this hole could risk breaking through to the front face or leaving so little material that the door becomes fragile and prone to cracking.
If your door's thickness falls within this 16mm to 22mm range, you will have the widest selection of concealed hinges to choose from, including various opening angles and soft-close features.
Before you purchase any hardware, it's essential to get an accurate measurement of your door's thickness. Using a tape measure or ruler can be tricky and may not provide the precision needed.
For the most accurate result, use a caliper. A digital or dial caliper will give you a precise reading down to a fraction of a millimeter.
Here’s how to measure your door:
Choose a Flat Spot: Measure on a flat, even surface of the door, away from any decorative bevels or edges.
Take Multiple Readings: Measure in several different spots—top, middle, and bottom—to check for any variations in thickness.
Use the Smallest Measurement: If there are slight differences, use the smallest measurement to ensure your chosen hinge will fit without any issues.
An accurate measurement is the first step to a successful installation. Taking a few extra moments to do this correctly can save you from the frustration of buying the wrong hardware.
What happens if your doors are thinner or thicker than the standard range? Fortunately, hardware manufacturers have developed specialized concealed hinges to accommodate a variety of door thicknesses.
Thin doors are common in lightweight furniture, certain types of overlay applications, or when using specific materials like metal or compact laminates. Using a standard hinge on a thin door is not an option, as the cup depth would be too great.
For these applications, you’ll need a shallow-cup concealed hinge. These hinges are designed with a smaller cup that requires a shallower drilled hole, typically around 9mm deep.
Mini-Hinges: These often have a 26mm cup diameter instead of the standard 35mm. They are an excellent solution for smaller or lighter doors, such as those on an entertainment center or bathroom vanity.
Specialized Thin-Door Hinges: Brands like Blum offer their CLIP top BLUMOTION hinge series with options specifically for thin doors, supporting thicknesses from 10mm. These hinges often use a special fixing system that spreads the load, preventing damage to the delicate door material.
When working with thin doors, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's specifications for drilling depth precisely. Even a millimeter too deep can ruin the door.
Thick, heavy doors make a bold statement and are often used in high-end custom cabinetry, large pantry doors, or architectural entryways. While a standard concealed hinge might physically fit, it may not function correctly. The increased thickness of the door can cause it to bind against the cabinet frame when it opens, preventing it from opening fully or causing damage to the door's edge.
To solve this, you need a hinge designed for thick door applications.
Thick Door Hinges: These hinges are engineered with a different geometry that moves the door away from the cabinet frame as it swings open, providing the necessary clearance. They can often accommodate doors up to 32mm (1-1/4") or even thicker.
Zero Protrusion Hinges: Also known as 165° or 170° hinges, these are designed to swing the door completely clear of the cabinet opening. This feature is not only great for thick doors but also essential for cabinets with internal roll-out drawers that need to pass by the door.
When selecting hinges for a thick door, pay close attention to the maximum door thickness listed in the product specifications. You should also check the diagrams provided by the manufacturer to understand the clearance and reveal (the gap between the door and the cabinet) you can expect.
Beyond door thickness, here are a few other important factors to consider to ensure you select the perfect concealed hinges for your project:
Type of Overlay: The overlay determines how much the cabinet door covers the cabinet frame. Full overlay, half overlay, and inset are the three main types, and each requires a different hinge and mounting plate combination.
Opening Angle: Standard concealed hinges offer an opening angle between 105° and 110°. For greater accessibility, especially in corner cabinets, you can find hinges with angles of 165° or more.
Closing Mechanism: Many modern hinges come with an integrated soft-close mechanism (like Blum's BLUMOTION) that prevents doors from slamming shut. For a more budget-friendly option, you can choose free-swinging hinges and add a soft-close damper separately.
Material and Finish: While concealed hinges are hidden, their durability matters. Most are made from nickel-plated steel for corrosion resistance. For specialty applications, you can find them in finishes like stainless steel or even onyx black.
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Choosing the right concealed hinge is the foundation of a professional-looking and long-lasting cabinet project. While the vast array of options might seem daunting, it all starts with one simple measurement: your door's thickness. Once you have that number, you can confidently navigate the product catalogs and select a hinge that is perfectly suited for your needs.
Remember the key takeaways:
Most standard doors are 16mm to 22mm thick and work with the widest range of concealed hinges.
For doors thinner than 16mm, look for shallow-cup or mini-hinges.
For doors thicker than 22mm, you'll need specialized thick-door hinges to ensure proper clearance.
By investing a little time in research and precise measurement, you'll be well on your way to achieving that clean, modern aesthetic that only concealed hinges can provide.
