Cabinet Hinge Specification Guide
How to Specify Cabinet Hinges for a Project
A complete cabinet-hinge specification should describe more than the words “35mm soft-close hinge.”
That description does not tell the supplier:
- How the door sits on the cabinet
- How large or heavy the door is
- Which mounting plate is required
- What opening angle is needed
- How many hinges should be installed
- Whether the hinge must be clip-on
- What drilling dimensions will be used
- What durability level the project expects
Missing information can result in inaccurate quotations, incompatible samples and installation problems.
This guide provides contractors, joinery companies, cabinet manufacturers and project buyers with a practical structure for preparing a cabinet-hinge specification.
Quick Answer: What Should a Cabinet-Hinge Specification Include?
A professional specification should include:
- Cabinet application
- Cabinet construction
- Door configuration
- Door dimensions
- Complete door weight
- Door material
- Hinge-cup specification
- Opening angle
- Closing function
- Installation method
- Adjustment requirements
- Mounting-plate specification
- Hinge quantity
- Material and surface requirements
- Performance and testing requirements
- Packaging and identification
- Spare parts and replacement requirements
The hinge, mounting plate, screws and cabinet door should be specified as one compatible system.
1. Define the Cabinet Application
Start by identifying where the hinge will be used.
Typical applications include:
- Kitchen wall cabinets
- Kitchen base cabinets
- Pantry cabinets
- Wardrobes
- Bathroom vanities
- Hotel minibars
- Apartment kitchenettes
- Office storage
- Commercial joinery
- Public-area cabinets
The application affects opening frequency, humidity exposure, expected durability and maintenance requirements.
A bathroom-vanity hinge may need different corrosion protection from a hinge used inside a dry bedroom wardrobe.
2. Identify the Cabinet Construction
Specify whether the cabinet is:
- Frameless
- Face-frame
- Individual cabinet
- Continuous cabinet construction
- Custom joinery
Frameless cabinets commonly use mounting plates fixed directly to the cabinet side panel.
Face-frame cabinets may require:
- A compatible face-frame hinge
- An adapter
- A special mounting plate
- Different overlay calculations
Do not assume that a hinge selected for a frameless cabinet will fit a face-frame cabinet without modification.
3. Specify the Door Configuration
The specification should identify how the door sits relative to the cabinet.
Full Overlay
The door covers most of the cabinet side panel.
Half Overlay
Two doors share one cabinet side panel.
Inset
The door sits inside the cabinet opening.
These configurations normally require different hinge-arm geometries or mounting arrangements.
Terms such as straight arm, half crank and full crank should be accompanied by the required door configuration because terminology may vary between markets and suppliers.
4. Provide the Door Dimensions
For every door type, provide:
- Height
- Width
- Thickness
These dimensions affect:
- Hinge quantity
- Opening movement
- Door leverage
- Cup-drilling compatibility
- Minimum door gap
- Thick-door clearance
- Mounting-plate selection
A specification that provides only door height is incomplete.
5. Provide the Complete Door Weight
The complete door weight should include:
- Door panel
- Handle
- Mirror
- Glass
- Aluminum frame
- Decorative panel
- Ceramic or metal surface
- Permanently attached accessories
Do not estimate hinge quantity by dividing the door weight equally among the hinges.
Door height, width, hinge position and fixing strength affect how the load is distributed.
When the final weight is unavailable, provide the material, dimensions and expected weight range so the supplier can make a preliminary recommendation.
6. Identify the Door Material
Common cabinet-door materials include:
- Particleboard
- MDF
- Plywood
- Solid wood
- Aluminum frame
- Glass
- Mirror-backed panels
- Composite panels
Material affects:
- Total weight
- Screw-holding strength
- Cup-fixing method
- Risk of movement or warping
- Required hinge type
For special doors, provide a section drawing showing the complete panel construction.
7. Specify the Hinge-Cup Requirements
Many concealed cabinet hinges use a 35mm cup, but cup diameter alone does not guarantee compatibility.
Specify:
- Cup diameter
- Cup-drilling depth
- Cup-edge distance or K dimension
- Cup-center position
- Cup-fixing pattern
- Screw-on, dowel or expanding fixing
- Required drilling tolerance
Make clear whether the dimension is measured to the edge or center of the cup hole.
The final drilling dimensions should follow the approved hinge drawing.
8. Specify the Opening Angle
Common requirements include:
- Restricted opening
- Standard opening around 105°–110°
- Medium wide opening
- Wide opening around 155°–165°
- Special opening angle
The selected angle depends on:
- Cabinet location
- Adjacent walls
- Appliances
- Handles
- Internal drawers
- Corner-cabinet access
- Door thickness
- Adjacent doors
If a door may hit a wall or another cabinet, specify an angle restrictor or a hinge with the appropriate maximum opening.
9. Specify the Closing Function
Identify whether the cabinet requires:
- Free-swing hinge
- Self-closing hinge
- Soft-close hinge
- Push-to-open compatibility
- Switchable soft close
- Adjustable damping
Do not use “self closing” and “soft closing” as interchangeable terms.
A self-closing hinge uses spring force to pull the door closed. A soft-close hinge adds controlled damping to reduce the closing speed.
For soft-close systems, specify whether damping should be:
- Integrated into the hinge
- Added as a separate component
- Installed on every hinge
- Installed according to door weight
- Adjustable or switchable
The final configuration should be tested on the actual door.
10. Specify Clip-On or Slide-On Installation
Clip-On Hinge
Allows the hinge arm to connect to and disconnect from the mounting plate without completely removing the plate.
Useful for:
- Large projects
- Faster installation
- Door removal during finishing
- Maintenance and replacement
Slide-On Hinge
The hinge arm is positioned on the mounting plate and secured with a connecting screw.
It may suit economical furniture or projects where door removal is infrequent.
The specification should not simply say “concealed hinge.” The installation method must be stated when it affects labor and maintenance.
11. Define the Adjustment Requirements
Modern concealed hinges may provide:
- Height adjustment
- Side adjustment
- Depth adjustment
A three-direction adjustment system helps installers correct normal production and installation tolerances.
The specification should state:
- Required adjustment directions
- Minimum acceptable adjustment range
- Whether height adjustment is provided through the plate
- Whether adjustment can be completed without removing the door
Do not copy an adjustment range from another brand unless the project genuinely requires that range.
Define the functional result rather than unnecessarily restricting the supplier.
12. Specify the Mounting Plate
The mounting plate is not a generic accessory.
Specify:
- Plate type
- Plate height
- Screw-hole pattern
- Fixing method
- Cabinet-panel compatibility
- Height-adjustment method
- Clip-on compatibility
- Surface finish
A different plate height can change the door overlay and final position.
Hinges and mounting plates should be quoted, sampled, approved and delivered as matched sets.
13. Determine the Hinge Quantity
The hinge quantity depends on:
- Door height
- Door width
- Complete door weight
- Door thickness
- Door material
- Hinge capacity
- Fixing method
- Opening frequency
A small cabinet door may use two hinges. A tall or heavy door may require three, four, five or more.
The project schedule should state the approved hinge quantity for every door type.
When the supplier makes the recommendation, request confirmation based on the submitted door information and verify it through sample installation.
14. Define Material and Surface Requirements
The specification may identify:
- Base material
- Surface coating
- Color
- Visible finish
- Corrosion-resistance requirement
- Humid-area suitability
- Cleaning-chemical exposure
Avoid specifying only the appearance.
A bright or smooth finish does not by itself confirm corrosion resistance or long-term durability.
For bathroom, coastal or humid projects, describe the actual environment and required test conditions.
15. Define Performance Requirements
Project hinge performance may be evaluated through:
- Opening-and-closing cycle testing
- Vertical load testing
- Horizontal load testing
- Overload testing
- Door-sag inspection
- Soft-close testing
- Corrosion testing
- Fixing-strength testing
- Adjustment-retention testing
The specification should define:
- Test conditions
- Representative door dimensions
- Door weight
- Hinge quantity
- Acceptance criteria
- Required report type
Avoid writing only “high-quality hinge” or “heavy-duty hinge.” These terms do not provide measurable requirements.
16. Specify Soft-Close Acceptance Criteria
For soft-close hinges, the project team should evaluate whether the door:
- Enters the damping zone consistently
- Closes without slamming
- Reaches the fully closed position
- Operates without abnormal noise
- Maintains damping after repeated use
- Performs consistently across samples
The acceptable closing time may depend on the door and project expectations.
Testing should use the actual door rather than a loose hinge operated by hand.
17. Define Dimensional Tolerances
For factory-produced cabinets, hinge dimensions must remain compatible with approved drilling.
Important dimensions include:
- Cup diameter
- Cup depth
- Cup-hole spacing
- Hinge-arm geometry
- Mounting-plate height
- Mounting-hole spacing
- Clip-on connection
- Adjustment range
The supplier should provide a controlled technical drawing.
Any proposed dimensional change should be submitted for approval before production.
18. Require a Representative Sample
The submitted sample should include:
- Production hinge
- Matching mounting plate
- Required screws or fixings
- Covers or accessories
- Product label
- Technical drawing
- Installation instructions
Do not approve only the visible hinge body.
The sample should represent the complete system that will be delivered to the project.
19. Build a Cabinet Mock-Up
Install the sample on a representative cabinet using final or equivalent materials.
Check:
- Drilling compatibility
- Door overlay
- Door gaps
- Opening clearance
- Soft-close performance
- Adjustment
- Noise
- Installation time
- Door removal
- Replacement procedure
For large hotel or apartment projects, approval should be based on a complete mock-up room or representative unit where possible.
20. Establish a Golden Sample
The approved golden sample should identify:
- Hinge model
- Mounting-plate model
- Overlay configuration
- Opening angle
- Soft-close function
- Surface finish
- Fixing method
- Drilling dimensions
- Accessories
- Product labeling
The project team, joinery contractor and supplier should retain consistent reference information.
Mass production should not begin until the approved configuration is documented.
21. Prepare a Cabinet-Hardware Schedule
A cabinet-hardware schedule links every door reference to its approved hinge configuration.
|
Field |
Example Information |
|
Door reference |
K-01-L |
|
Location |
Apartment kitchen |
|
Cabinet type |
Wall cabinet |
|
Construction |
Frameless |
|
Door position |
Full overlay |
|
Door dimensions |
To be completed |
|
Door weight |
To be completed |
|
Hinge type |
Concealed soft close |
|
Connection |
Clip-on |
|
Opening angle |
110° |
|
Cup diameter |
35mm |
|
Adjustment |
Height, side and depth |
|
Mounting plate |
Compatible approved plate |
|
Quantity per door |
Based on approved sample |
|
Special requirement |
None or restrictor required |
Each door type should have a unique reference.
22. Packaging and Product Identification
Project packaging should identify:
- Project name
- Building or phase
- Room or unit type
- Product code
- Overlay type
- Opening angle
- Mounting-plate code
- Quantity
- Batch number
When several similar hinge types are used, use clear labels to prevent mixing.
Full-overlay, half-overlay and inset hinges can appear similar to an installer but create different door positions.
23. Spare Parts and Future Compatibility
Specify:
- Spare hinge quantity
- Spare mounting-plate quantity
- Special-hinge spares
- Product-code identification
- Replacement compatibility
- Recommended storage conditions
- Replacement instructions
Do not order spare hinge bodies without their compatible mounting plates.
The handover package should include drawings, product references and adjustment instructions for the property owner or maintenance team.
24. Supplier Submittal Requirements
A complete hinge submittal may include:
- Product data sheet
- Technical drawing
- Material and finish information
- Hinge-quantity recommendation
- Mounting-plate details
- Installation instructions
- Test information
- Physical sample
- Warranty information
- Packaging proposal
- Spare-parts proposal
- Product availability statement
The contractor should review the complete package before approving the product.
Sample Cabinet-Hinge Specification
The following is a starting template and must be adjusted for the actual project:
Provide 35mm concealed cabinet hinges suitable for the door configuration shown in the joinery drawings. Hinges shall include soft-close operation, clip-on connection and height, side and depth adjustment. Provide compatible mounting plates, fixings and accessories as a complete system. Confirm hinge quantity according to each door’s height, width, weight, thickness and material. Submit technical drawings, installation information, performance data and representative samples for approval before production.
For restricted, wide-angle, heavy or humid-area doors, add the relevant requirements separately.
Cabinet-Hinge RFQ Template
Project Information
- Project name:
- Country and city:
- Hotel, apartment or commercial project:
- Project stage:
- Required delivery schedule:
- Estimated total quantity:
Cabinet Information
- Cabinet application:
- Frameless or face-frame:
- Full overlay, half overlay or inset:
- Cabinet-panel material:
- Cabinet-panel thickness:
Door Information
- Door height:
- Door width:
- Door thickness:
- Complete door weight:
- Door material:
- Handle or decorative surface:
Hinge Requirements
- Cup diameter:
- Opening angle:
- Soft close required:
- Clip-on or slide-on:
- Adjustment requirements:
- Mounting plate:
- Hinge quantity:
- Surface finish:
- Corrosion requirement:
- Required testing:
Commercial and Project Requirements
- Sample required:
- Mock-up quantity:
- Packaging requirements:
- Spare-parts quantity:
- OEM branding:
- Required documents:
- Warranty requirement:
Approval Workflow
A practical project approval process is:
- Contractor issues the door schedule.
- Supplier proposes the hinge and mounting plate.
- Technical drawings are reviewed.
- Samples are submitted.
- Representative doors are installed.
- Opening, closing and adjustment are tested.
- Any correction is documented.
- A golden sample is approved.
- The bill of materials is frozen.
- Production batches are inspected against the approval.
- Spare parts and handover documents are prepared.
This process helps prevent uncontrolled substitutions and site compatibility problems.
Common Specification Mistakes
Writing Only “35mm Soft-Close Hinge”
This does not define overlay, plate, angle, adjustment or load.
Specifying the Hinge Without the Door
The supplier cannot confirm hinge quantity without door dimensions and weight.
Omitting the Mounting Plate
The plate affects overlay, height and installation compatibility.
Using “Heavy Duty” Without a Load Requirement
The term is subjective unless supported by a defined door configuration and test.
Copying Another Brand’s Product Code
This can unnecessarily restrict the project or create an inaccurate equivalency request.
Mixing Self Close and Soft Close
These terms describe different closing behavior.
Approving a Loose Sample
A hinge should be evaluated on an actual cabinet door.
Failing to Control Product Changes
A small dimensional change may affect drilling across the entire project.
Forgetting Spare Parts
Future maintenance becomes difficult when replacement compatibility is not documented.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is required for a cabinet-hinge quotation?
Provide the cabinet type, overlay, door dimensions, complete weight, material, opening angle, closing function, quantity and project environment.
Is “35mm hinge” a complete specification?
No. It identifies only the approximate cup diameter. Hinge arm, mounting plate, opening angle, fixing and closing function must also be specified.
Should the mounting plate have a separate product code?
Yes. The hinge and compatible plate should be clearly identified in the hardware schedule and bill of materials.
How should hinge quantity be specified?
Use the supplier’s recommendation based on each door’s height, width, weight and material, then confirm it through sample installation.
What should be included in a hinge sample?
Include the hinge, mounting plate, fixings, accessories, technical drawing and installation instructions.
Should every project door use the same hinge?
Not necessarily. Standardization is beneficial, but special doors may require wide-angle, restricted-opening, thick-door or heavy-duty hinges.
What does a golden sample mean?
It is the approved physical and technical reference used to control production and inspection.
Should soft-close speed be included in the specification?
The required behavior and acceptance criteria should be defined, especially for hotel and premium residential projects.
Why are replacement requirements important?
A compatible spare-parts plan reduces future maintenance time and prevents modifications to existing cabinet doors.
Can the contractor change the hinge after door drilling?
Only after confirming drilling, overlay, plate height, opening angle and performance. Otherwise, completed doors may become incompatible.
Conclusion
A professional cabinet-hinge specification must connect the hardware to the actual door and cabinet.
Contractors and joinery companies should define:
- Cabinet application
- Door configuration
- Door dimensions and weight
- Hinge-cup drilling
- Opening angle
- Closing function
- Adjustment
- Mounting plate
- Hinge quantity
- Surface and performance requirements
- Samples, packaging and spare parts
The most important principle is:
Do not specify only a hinge. Specify and approve the complete door, hinge, mounting plate and fixing system.
A detailed specification improves quotation accuracy, reduces installation mistakes and makes long-term maintenance easier.
Related Haits Product Categories
- Soft-Close Cabinet Hinges
- Clip-On Concealed Hinges
- 3D Adjustable Cabinet Hinges
- Full-Overlay, Half-Overlay and Inset Hinges
- Wide-Angle Cabinet Hinges
- Heavy-Duty Cabinet Hinges
- Cabinet-Hinge Mounting Plates
