Jargon Buster

• ContinuousAlso referred to as 'Piano' hinges, continuous hinges are generally hinges formed in long lengths. They can be used for a wide variety of applications, and are often cut down to smaller lengths to suit an application.
  
  We loosely class hinges longer than 150mm as a continuous hinge.
• PinThe pin or 'rod' is inserted between both halves of the hinge to hold it together.
• CrankedRefers to 'bending' the flaps of the hinge.
• Reverse JointedReverse jointed or 'reversed' hinges, are joined with one flap facing opposite to the other.
• Butt/BackflapButt hinges are hinges which have a length longer than the open width (not including continuous hinges).
  
  Backflap hinges are the reverse, whereby the length is shorter than the open width.
• Roll DiameterThe roll or 'knuckle' diameter is the overall diameter of the pin and the material either side.
• PiercedPierced, or 'drilled/punched' hinges, are hinges which have holes.
• Self ColourSelf Colour refers to the natural finish of the material, without any coating, plating or polishing.
• Lift-Off'Lift-Off' hinges are hinges which are in 2 parts, a male and a female.​
  
  The purpose of these hinges allows doors to be removed from the frame without the need to remove the hinges.
• Gauge (swg)The gauge refers to the thickness of material from which the hinge is made.
• Riveted PinA riveted pin is where the pin has been pressed at each end to form a 'head,' which prevents the pin falling through from either end.
• RadiusedRadiused is a term often used for the corners of a hinge, where they are rounded to a specific radius.

• LengthThe length of a hinge is the distance from one end of the pin, to the other.
• JointThe joint of a hinge refers to the length of the individual rolls.
• SwagedAlso referred to as 'cranking' or 'bending', we use the term swaged when cranking the material close to the rolls. This changes the distance between the flaps when the hinge is closed. See also; 'Closed Flat'.
• CroppedCropped is a term often used for the corners of a hinge, where they are shaped diagonally from edge to edge.
• Open WidthThe open width of a hinge is the distance from one edge of the hinge, to the other.
• PitchThe pitch, or 'centres' refers to the dimension between holes along the length of the hinge. Not to be confused with centres across, which is the dimensions between holes across the rolls of the hinge.
• Open Flat'Open Flat' or 'Flat Backed' refers to when the hinge is open, both flaps will lay flat on a level surface.
• HandedThe term handed is mostly used for Lift-Off hinges, where the hinges can be supplied in a mirror image of itself. The side the application is hinged on dictates which hand you will need.
• Centre PinThe centre pin dimension of a hinge is the distance from one edge of the hinge, to the centre of the pin.
• CountersunkCountersinking is the process of creating an enlarged bevel in an already pierced hole, which enables a screw/bolt to finish flush with the surface, typically wood screws.
• Closed Flat'Closed Flat' or 'Swaged Closed' refers to when the hinge is closed, both flaps will sit flush together, leaving little or no gap between.
• FlapFlap or 'leaf' is a term for either side of the hinge which protrudes from the roll or 'knuckle'.

Materials Specification

Conversion Table