With so many types of cabinet hardware available, it might seem more complicated than it is. But those cabinets with European hinges (also known as cup hinges) are simple to install and make adjusting the doors quick and easy. Contractor Zack Dettmore shows our homeowner, Jorge, how to install them and tweak them for a perfect fit.
Installing Cup Hinges in the Door
Half of a cup hinge fits inside a pre-drilled mortise in the cabinet door. Simply place it over the mortise and push down until it bottoms out in the mortise. In some cases, you’ll need to tighten two set screws, but even simpler designs exist that require simply closing a cover to secure them in place.
Cabinet Installation
The other half of the hinge is installed inside the cabinet. They install with just a few screws, the holes for which are usually pre-drilled in ready-to-assemble or pre-assembled cabinets.
Connecting the Hinges
Connecting the hinge halves is easy. There is a small bar on the back of the door half that nests into the mouth of the cabinet half. Simply align the door so the bar is in position and then snap down on the back of the hinge to lock it in place. It’s that simple.
Making Adjustments
In most cases, the doors will not be aligned at first. Some doors might sag while others might appear to be tipped forward, and the gap between double doors won’t be consistent. But they’re easy to adjust. The screws inside the hinge adjust the overall height, angle, and pitch of the door, so tweaking these screws slightly will help achieve a proper fit.