Continuous Hinges

A continuous hinge (most folks call it a piano hinge) runs the full length of whatever it’s joining instead of relying on two or three separate hinges to carry the load. That’s the whole point. Spread the support along the entire joint and a lid or door is far less prone to the sag and stress that wear out a few small hinges in heavy-use spots.

For broader project planning, explore WBC’s building materials resources.

Where do they earn their keep? Tool chests, cabinet lids, folding tables, toy boxes, fold-down shelves, folding partitions. Anywhere a door or panel sees real use and you don’t want one weak point doing all the work.

The buying decision comes down to three things: width for the load, length for the joint, and the finish you want to look at. Get those right and the rest is just screws.

WBC’s Piano Hinges

WBC carries National Hardware piano hinges, made from cold-rolled steel with a steel pin, in two finishes:

Piano hinge	Open width	Length	Finish
National Hardware	1-1/16 in.	30 in.	Nickel
National Hardware	1-1/16 in.	48 in.	Nickel
National Hardware	1-1/2 in.	30 in.	Nickel
National Hardware	1-1/2 in.	48 in.	Nickel
National Hardware	1-1/2 in.	48 in.	Brass

The size tells you both numbers: a “1-1/2 x 48” opens to 1-1/2 inches wide across both leaves and runs 4 feet long.

Width: the narrow 1-1/16-inch hinge suits light lids, small cabinet doors and jewelry or keepsake boxes. Step up to the 1-1/2-inch hinge for larger lids and doors, like a tool chest lid, where the wider leaves spread the screws over more of the wood. How much a hinge holds depends on the hinge, the screws and the wood it’s fastened to, so on anything heavy, use every screw hole and make sure the wood is solid enough to hold them.

Length: buy the length that covers the joint, or the next one longer and cut it down.

Finish: nickel for a bright silver look on painted or modern work, brass to match brass hardware on wood boxes and cabinets. These are indoor hinges: cold-rolled steel belongs where it stays dry. For a gate, an outdoor storage box or anything in an unheated, damp outbuilding, use a hinge made for outdoor exposure instead. That includes a Montana garage or shop that swings from below zero to a thaw, where condensation settles on cold steel.

Installing One

Installation is friendly to anybody comfortable with a drill. These are surface-mount hinges, so there’s no mortise to cut; the leaves screw straight onto the faces.

• Cut it to length. The friction-type pin won’t fall out, so you can cut a piano hinge to fit any joint with a hacksaw. File the cut end smooth.
• Use every hole. The screw holes are spaced 2 inches apart along the leaves. Putting a screw in each one is what gives a piano hinge its strength.
• Screws come in the package. Phillips flat-head No. 4 x 1/2-inch screws. Drill small pilot holes so the screws go in straight and don’t split thin stock.
• Clamp it straight. Set the knuckle centered on the joint and clamp the hinge before you drill, so the door doesn’t bind once it’s hung.

One warning straight from the maker: don’t paint them. Paint gums up the knuckle and shortens the life of the hinge. If you want a finish, buy the finish you want, brass or nickel, and leave it alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a piano hinge and a continuous hinge? Nothing: they’re two names for the same part. It runs the full length of the joint instead of using a few separate hinges, which is what gives it its load-spreading advantage.

Can you cut a continuous hinge to length? Yes. The friction pin won’t fall out, so cut it with a hacksaw and file the end smooth. Buy the 48-inch hinge and trim it to whatever the joint needs.

Can I use these hinges outdoors? No. WBC’s piano hinges are cold-rolled steel with a nickel or brass finish, made for indoor use. Outdoors or anywhere damp, use a hinge made for outdoor exposure.

Do continuous hinges come with screws? These do: Phillips flat-head No. 4 x 1/2-inch screws come in the package.

Should you paint a continuous hinge? No. Paint works its way into the knuckles and pin and ruins the smooth swing. Choose the finish you want at purchase and skip the brush.

How do I size a continuous hinge to my door? Match the length to the joint and the leaf width to the door: 1-1/16 inch for light lids and small doors, 1-1/2 inch for larger lids and doors.