Two Easy Methods Of Measuring Cabinet Hinges For Replacement
If you want to refinish or replace your door but also need to measure the cabinet hinges then you need to go through the below mentioned two easy methods carefully and achieve the desired result of your work:
Method 1: Determining The Width And Length
- First of all, you need to remove hinges from your cabinet in order to accurately measure them. Use a Phillips head screwdriver for removing the screws pinning each hinge to your door. The hinges commonly have at least 4 screws that come loose when you turned them counterclockwise. Takedown each hinge & spread them on a flat surface. Typically, all of a door’s hinges are of the same size, so measuring one hinge is enough.
- Now you need to measure across your entire hinge to determine its open width. The hinges have 2 sides, or leaves, which is separated by a vertical pin in middle. Open that hinge up all the way to lay both leaves flat. Stretch your tape measure betwixt the outer edges of the leaves then you need to use it to measure the hinge at its widest point.
- Next you need to determine the width of each leaf on your hinge. The leaf width is the distance from your central pin to the outer edge of your leaf. Depending on which type of hinge you are using, the hinge leaves may be of a different size, so you need to measure both of them. Take your measurement across the widest part of each hinge leaf, which is normally the middle.
- Finally, you need to measure the length of your hinge from top to bottom. For the most types of hinges, the tallest part is located as a single pin in the center. Hold your tape measure parallel to it to determine the height. Some types of hinge styles may also have leaves of different sizes. If your hinges are like that then you need to measure the height of each respective leaf, noting which measurement corresponds to your door side & your cabinet side of the hinge.
Method 2: Using Overlay To Measure The Hinge Size
- Firstly, close your cabinet door to begin measuring your door overlay. The overlay is how much your door overlaps a cabinet frame. If you want to install the new hinges then you need to measure your overlay to figure out what size you need. Your cabinet door has to be closed to accurately place your tape used in the measurement. Also, not all the doors have an overlay for measuring.
- Now you need to apply a piece of tape to the hinged side of your door. Use a piece of masking tape to avert leaving any sort of mark on your cabinets. Position your tape perpendicular & right up next to your hinge side of your door while it is closed. Try to place it above your lower hinge. After pressing it onto your cabinet frame then you need to smooth it out to stick it in the place.
- Next you need to open your door to measure from the tape to the edge of your frame. After opening your door, now look for the edge of your tape sticking out beneath it. It is the inside edge of your tape, closest to your hinge side of your door. If your doors have not been installed yet then you need to move them to make your tape more visible. When you are ready to measure your overlay then you need to hold a ruler or tape measure from your tape to the inside edge of your frame.
- Then you need to measure the lip if you have the partial inset door. The partial inset door is one that is partially inside, or overlapping, your cabinet frame. You need to check by inspecting the edge of your door, exceptionally from above if you can do this. Then, use a ruler to measure from the edge of your door to the inner edge of your cabinet.
- Finally, you need to use your overlay to determine the hinge size you need for your door. Pick your new hinge with your same overlay size just to ensure it’s a good fit for your cabinet. Many hinges have your overlay amount printed on them. If your hinge doesn’t have that then you need to use a tape measure to determine the width of your mounting plate included with your hinge or cabinet. Take the measurement across the middle part of your plate where it is widest & then simply add the result to your hinge width before comparing it to your overlay you measured earlier.