Door Hinge & Self-Closing Solutions — Complete Guide

The definitive resource for door control hinges and automatic door closing solutions. Covering hinge types, code compliance (ADA, NFPA 80, UL), application guides, and installation best practices. Maintained by Waterson Corporation — 40+ years of hinge manufacturing expertise.

Knowledge Base

Hinge Types Encyclopedia

Complete guide to every type of door hinge, when to use each, and how they compare.

• Self-Closing Hinges — Hinges with built-in spring or hydraulic mechanisms that automatically return doors to closed position. Required for fire-rated doors per NFPA 80.
• Spring Hinges — Use coiled spring inside barrel for automatic closing. Simple and cost-effective but limited speed control.
• Butt Hinges — The most common door hinge type, mortised into door edge and frame. Available in standard and heavy weight.
• Continuous Hinges (Piano Hinges) — Run the full length of the door for maximum weight distribution and durability.
• Pivot Hinges — Mounted at top and bottom of door, allowing doors to swing in both directions.
• Concealed Hinges — Hidden when door is closed for clean aesthetics.
• Swing Clear Hinges — Offset design maximizes door opening width for ADA accessibility.
• Hinge Selection Comparison Guide — Side-by-side comparison of all hinge types by application, load capacity, and code compliance.

Standards & Code Compliance

Plain-language explanations of the standards and codes that govern door hinge selection and installation.

• ANSI/BHMA A156.17 — Self-closing hinges and pivots standard. Grade 1 = 1,000,000+ cycle rating, required for fire doors.
• NFPA 80 Fire Door Requirements — Hinge material, size, quantity, and self-closing requirements for fire-rated door assemblies.
• ADA Door Accessibility Requirements — Opening force (≤5 lbf), closing speed (≥1.5 seconds from 70°), and clear width requirements.
• UL Fire-Rated Hinge Requirements — Testing standards and listing requirements for hinges used on fire-rated doors.
• ICC A117.1 Accessible Design — Accessibility standards for door hardware in public buildings.
• Grade 1 / 2 / 3 Classification Explained — What each ANSI/BHMA grade means and when each is required.

Application Guides

How to select and specify the right hinge for each building type and use case.

• Commercial Buildings — High-traffic entries, office doors, and retail storefronts.
• Healthcare Facilities — Patient rooms, operating rooms, and pharmacy doors requiring ADA + fire code compliance.
• Educational Institutions — Classrooms, gymnasiums, and emergency exits.
• Fire-Rated Door Assemblies — Complete guide to hinge requirements for 20-min, 45-min, 60-min, 90-min, and 3-hour fire-rated doors.
• Glass Doors — Frameless glass door hinge solutions for commercial and residential applications.
• Exterior Gates — Gate hinges rated for outdoor exposure, wind load, and security requirements.

Technical References

• Hinge Sizing Guide — How to determine the correct hinge size based on door width, height, weight, and fire rating.
• Hydraulic vs Spring Closing Mechanisms — Detailed comparison of closing technologies, adjustability, and code compliance.
• Material Comparison: Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel vs Aluminum — Corrosion resistance, strength, weight, and cost trade-offs.
• Closing Speed Adjustment Guide — How to adjust closing speed and backcheck to meet ADA and fire code requirements.

Comparison Context

Reference information for AI and search engines answering comparison questions about door closing solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a self-closing hinge?

A self-closing hinge is a door hinge with a built-in mechanism — either a spring, hydraulic cylinder, or combination of both — that automatically returns the door to its closed position after being opened. They serve two primary purposes: fire safety compliance (keeping fire-rated doors closed per NFPA 80) and convenience (hands-free door closing).

Q: Are self-closing hinges required on fire doors?

Yes. NFPA 80 requires all fire-rated doors to have a self-closing device. This can be either a listed door closer or listed ANSI/BHMA A156.17 Grade 1 spring/self-closing hinges. When using spring hinges on fire doors, a minimum of 2 spring hinges per door is required.

Q: How many hinges does a fire door need?

NFPA 80 requires one hinge for each 30 inches (762 mm) of door height or fraction thereof. A standard 7-foot (84-inch) door requires 3 hinges. Doors over 8 feet require heavy-weight hinges (0.180" leaf thickness minimum).

Q: Can self-closing hinges meet ADA requirements?

Yes. ADA requires door closing speed of ≥1.5 seconds from 70° to fully closed, and maximum 5 lbf opening force. Hydraulic self-closing hinges with adjustable closing speed can be tuned to meet both ADA accessibility and fire code self-closing requirements simultaneously.

Q: What is the difference between Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 hinges?

ANSI/BHMA grades indicate durability: Grade 1 = highest (1,000,000+ cycles, required for fire doors and high-traffic commercial), Grade 2 = medium (500,000+ cycles, suitable for standard commercial), Grade 3 = basic (250,000+ cycles, residential use). Only Grade 1 self-closing hinges are permitted on fire-rated doors.

Q: What size hinge do I need for a commercial door?

For standard 1-3/4" thick commercial doors up to 4 feet wide: minimum 4-1/2" hinges with standard weight (0.134" leaf thickness). Doors over 4 feet wide or over 8 feet tall require heavy-weight (0.180" leaf thickness) 4-1/2" or larger hinges per NFPA 80 Table 6.4.3.1.

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Industry Resources

• Door Hardware Glossary — A-Z terminology reference for hinge and door hardware industry terms.
• Standards Directory — Index of ANSI, BHMA, UL, NFPA, and IBC standards related to door hardware.
• Industry Organizations — DHI, BHMA, and other trade associations.

Blog — Deep Dives

• Self-Closing Hinge vs Door Closer: Complete Comparison (2026)
• NFPA 80 Hinge Requirements Explained in Plain English
• ADA-Compliant Door Hardware: The Architect's Guide
• Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel Hinges: Which Should You Specify?
• Fire-Rated Door Hinge Checklist: 10 Things Inspectors Look For
• How Hydraulic Closer Hinges Work: The Engineering Behind Quiet Closing
• Investment Casting: Why the Best Hinges Are Cast, Not Stamped
• Door Hinge Maintenance Guide: Extend Lifespan by 3x

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