National Hardware hinges, gate hardware and braces help homeowners and contractors hang doors, keep gates working and reinforce joints. You can choose configurations for connecting materials and specialty hinge options with adjustable tension and closing speeds. Choose by what needs to move and what needs to stay put.
National Hardware is a builders’ hardware manufacturer whose history began with National Wagon Company in Sterling, Illinois, in 1901. Its founders switched to hardware when wagon sales declined. Its products include hinges, bolts, braces and mending plates.
Braces and mending plates for the connection
National offers corner braces, strap braces and mending plates, with configurations for attaching, connecting, aligning and splicing materials. Start with the surfaces you can actually fasten to. The hardware needs to reach sound material on both sides of the joint.
Safe working load is unspecified for these reinforcement products because applications vary. National assigns responsibility for proper use to the end user. For a load-bearing repair, use a connection designed for the load, the fasteners and the material they’re going into.
Door hinges that fit and close properly
National bases hinge size selection on door thickness and width. Measure those first, then measure the existing hinge open and lying flat. Match its corner shape to the recess in the door and jamb. Rounded and square corners serve the same function; matching the recess saves fitting work.
National offers adjustable spring hinges, and many specialty hinges have adjustable tension and closing speeds. Support the door during fitting and align the hinge leaves so the door swings freely before setting the spring. Correct binding before adjusting tension. Follow the particular hinge’s tensioning instructions, then test the closing action.
Squeak Guard hinges are intended to prevent irritating hinge squeaks. Locate the noise while moving the door slowly: a rubbing door edge calls for an alignment repair, while a squeaking hinge is the problem Squeak Guard addresses.
Paint on ordinary door hinges impairs the mechanism and shortens hinge life. For a painted hinge, use a primer-coated version intended for special metal paint.
Gate hardware and latch alignment
National offers gate hardware for outdoor spaces. If you have to lift a gate to close it, inspect the post, hinge attachment and gate frame before positioning a replacement latch. A moving post or loose hinge changes where the latch meets its catch. Correct the sag, then align the latch with the gate supported in its working position.
Cabinet hinge replacements
National offers cabinet hinges and cabinet spring hinges. Look at how the door sits against the cabinet and where the hinge mounts. Match that arrangement before choosing the closing action.
Hinge dimensions and fastener provisions
National’s reinforcement hardware has different bolt and nail provisions by item. Match the fastener provision to the exact item.
| Item or detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Common residential door hinge sizes | 3 inches and 3-1/2 inches |
| Residential door hinge corner options | 1/4-inch radius, 5/8-inch radius and square |
| Corner-radius comparison | Dime for 1/4-inch radius; quarter for 5/8-inch radius |
| N351-453 | Slots for 1/2-inch carriage bolts |
| N351-454 | Clearance for a 5/16-inch bolt or two nails per side |
| N351-455 | Slots for 5/16-inch carriage bolts |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a gate latch?
Check how your gate meets the post when it’s closed. The latch needs to engage fully without forcing the gate sideways or lifting it into place. Leave enough room to operate the release comfortably, especially if the post sits close to a fence.
How do I match National Hardware hinges to my door?
Measure your existing hinge open and lying flat, then match the corner shape to the recess. A dime matches a 1/4-inch corner radius; a quarter matches a 5/8-inch radius. Check the screw-hole locations too, because matching the hinge’s outside dimensions doesn’t guarantee the holes line up.
Will replacing my gate hinges fix a sagging gate?
New hinges can help if the old hinges are worn, but they won’t straighten a leaning post or square up a distorted gate frame. Support the gate and check whether the movement is in the hinge itself or where it attaches. That tells you whether you’re dealing with worn hardware or a connection that needs repair.
How do I install a National Hardware spring hinge?
Support the door and fit the hinge so it sits flush in its recess, then check that the door moves freely before adjusting the spring. Follow the instructions for your particular hinge to set the tension; adjustable spring hinges don’t all use the same adjustment procedure. Test the closing action from a partly open position as well as fully open, and correct binding instead of adding tension to overpower it.
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Our building materials specialists can help you find the right National Hardware products for your project.