A Buyer's Guide to Cabinet Hinges: Concealed, Standard, and Piano Hinges

Three hinge types, three different jobs

Cabinet and cupboard doors don't all use the same hinge. The right one depends on how the door should sit against the cabinet, whether you want the hinge visible, and how much support the door needs along its length.

Concealed hinges

A concealed hinge (or "hidden" hinge) is fitted inside the cabinet so nothing is visible when the door is closed - the hinge is only seen when the door is open. Many concealed hinges are also available in soft-close versions, which slow the door down just before it shuts instead of letting it swing closed at full speed.

• Best for: modern cabinet doors, wardrobes, kitchen cupboards
• Look: clean, no visible hardware when closed
• Note: soft-close and standard versions usually differ in price and feel, so it's worth asking which type is in stock
• Sizing: concealed hinges are fitted into a round recess bored into the door - most common sizes are around 35mm across, so a replacement hinge usually needs to match the existing recess rather than being chosen freely

Standard (butt) hinges

The traditional hinge type - two plates joined by a pin, screwed to the face or edge of the door and frame. Visible when the door is closed, but simple, durable, and easy to source in different sizes.

• Best for: traditional-style cabinets, general doors, budget-friendly fitting
• Look: visible hinge knuckle on the door face
• Note: confirm the selling unit and the exact model's hinge count, spacing and load guidance for your door

Piano (continuous) hinges

A continuous piano hinge runs the full length of the door or lid, rather than being fitted at just two or three points. Because it supports the whole edge, it's useful for doors or lids that need even support along their length, such as folding doors or box and chest lids.

• Best for: cabinet lids, folding doors, panels prone to warping without full-length support
• Look: a continuous strip of hinge along the whole edge
• Note: confirm the exact supplied length, width and whether the model can be shortened; do not assume a cutting method or service. See the piano hinge measurement and ordering guide.

Understanding overlay: how a door sits against the cabinet

Beyond hinge type, the way a door sits against the cabinet frame - called the overlay - also affects which hinge fits.

• Full overlay: the door covers the entire cabinet edge or face frame, with doors sitting almost edge to edge when closed. Common on modern, frameless cabinets.
• Partial (half) overlay: the door covers only part of the frame, leaving a visible gap between neighbouring doors - common where two doors share one central support.
• Inset: the door sits flush inside the frame opening rather than covering it, so it sits level with the cabinet face rather than in front of it.

Concealed hinges are made for each of these situations, so a hinge bought for a full-overlay door usually won't sit right on an inset door. If you're replacing a single hinge rather than the whole set, matching the overlay type matters as much as matching the hinge size.

Is soft-close worth the extra cost?

Soft-close damping slows the final closing movement. It may be useful for frequently used cupboards, but compare the exact model's operation and quoted price. Soft-close does not establish a longer service life, a load rating or protection against sagging.

For replacements, check the cup, overlay, drilling pattern and mounting plate first. Use the hinge manufacturer's planning information for door dimensions, weight, hinge count and spacing. Blum's hinge-count guidance demonstrates this approach for its own hinge system; its quantities are not universal ratings for other brands.

How to choose

• Want the hinge to disappear when the door is closed? Concealed hinge.
• Want the simplest, most universally available option? [Standard butt hinge](/categories/furniture-hardware).
• Need support along the entire edge of a door or lid? Piano hinge.
• Want a damped final close on a frequently used door? Soft-close concealed hinge.

If you're not sure which type your existing cabinet uses, the easiest way to confirm is to bring a photo or the old hinge itself when you come to replace it - matching both the hinge type and the overlay avoids buying the wrong part twice.

Common questions

Can I replace a standard hinge with a concealed hinge?

Not directly - concealed hinges need a round recess bored into the door, which a standard hinge doesn't have. Switching hinge types on an existing door usually means new drilling work, so it's more practical when a door is already being replaced or refinished.

Why does my cabinet door sag or not close flush after a few years?

Worn hinge pins or stripped screw holes are the most common cause. Many concealed hinges have adjustment screws built in (for height, depth, and side-to-side position) that can correct minor sag without replacing the hinge - worth checking before assuming a new hinge is needed.

How many hinges does a tall or heavy door need?

Use the exact hinge system's door-weight and dimension guidance. Include handles and other attached weight, the panel material, fixing condition and mounting layout. Adding one centre hinge is not a universal solution for every tall or heavy door.

Send a clear enquiry from anywhere in Pakistan

Include the exact product or old-part reference, photographs, measurements, quantity and delivery city. You can Request Quote without visiting a shop first. Companies can use Business Supply for formal quotations and onboarding requirements. Email drawings or a parts list to adminmjtrader@gmail.com using the quotation-email action below. Confirm availability, delivery charges and timing, or your chosen collection branch, before ordering or travelling.