What Is A Commercial Door Hinge
A commercial door hinge is a mechanical bearing device that joins the door and frame, and allows the door to rotate on a fixed axis, or pin. Commercial door hinges vary from residential grade hinges in numerous ways including size and design.
Types Of Commercial Door Hinges
Commercial Door Butt Hinges
The most common type of commercial door hinge is the butt hinge. This hinge type features two hinge leafs. One hinge attaches in a mortise pocket on the door edge, while the other hinge leaf mounts to a mortise pocket in the door frame. On one end of each hinge leaf are knuckles. The knuckles of the two hinge leafs interconnect and a pin holds them together. Butt hinges are available with ball bearings or plain bearings (no bearings).
![]()
Commercial Door Continuous Hinges
A continuous hinge is often the hinge of choice for a commercial door that is heavy, abused, or has door sagging problems. Most commercial doors use 3 or 4 butt hinges, depending on the door height. However with a continuous hinge, it spans the entire height of the door, providing a better distribution of the weight of the door. The continuous hinge is comprised of two full height hinge leafs. One edge of each hinge leaf is geared. The full height geared edges of the hinge leafs interconnect and are held together by a full height hinge cap. Continuous hinges are available for mortise pocket installation of the door and frame, or for surface mount installation if they are replacing existing butt hinges.
![]()
Commercial Door Pivot Hinges
A commercial door pivot hinge is a mechanical device that joins the door and frame using a steel pin that rotates on bearing. Commercial door pivot hinges come in two models, an offset pivot hinge, or a center hung pivot hinge. With an offset pivot hinge, the hinges are located either 3/4" or 1.5 inches from the center line of the door. A center hung commercial door pivot hinge is when the pivot hinge is located at the center line of the door. A commercial door will typically use two pivot hinges, one at the top of the door and one at the bottom.
![]()
Commercial Door Hinge Applications
Depending on the type of commercial door, will determine what type of commercial door hinge is required.
Commercial Door Hinges For Wood Door Applications
Commercial Wood Door Butt Hinges
Commercial wood doors are commonly used for interior doors in commercial buildings. Most commercial wood doors feature ball bearing or plain bearing butt hinges. All commercial door manufacturers use a standard hinge prep size of 4.5 inches x 4.5 inches with square edges. Although, the location of hinges on the door edge may vary, the actual hinge prep size is always the same.
Commercial Wood Door Pivot Hinges
Commercial offset 3/4 inch or 1.5 inch pivot hinges are sometimes used on commercial wood doors for aesthetic and architectural reasons.
Commercial Door Hinge Wood Door Compatibility
Commercial wood doors are constructed from a solid core design, and are used for interior doors for most commercial buildings. Applications include restroom doors, office doors, utility room doors, and more. These doors feature commercial grade door hinges. Below is a list of commercial wood door manufacturers that we can supply replacement and compatible commercial door hinges for:
Commercial Door Hinges For Hollow Metal Door Applications
Commercial Hollow Metal Steel Door Butt Hinges
Commercial hollow metal doors or steel doors are primarily used as emergency exit doors or fire doors in commercial buildings. The majority of commercial steel doors use ball bearing or plain bearing butt hinges. All commercial steel door manufacturers use a standard hinge prep size of 4.5 inches x 4.5 inches with square edges. The hinge locations on steel doors vary among manufacturers, however the actual hinge prep size is always the same.
![]()
Commercial Hollow Metal Steel Door Pivot Hinges
Commercial pivot hinges are rarely seen on hollow metal steel doors. However in some cases, offset pivot hinges are used on commercial steel doors.
Commercial Door Hinge Hollow Metal Steel Door Compatibility
Commercial steel doors are commonly used as fire doors, entry doors, or exit doors in commercial buildings. Below is a list of commercial steel door manufacturers that we can supply replacement and compatible commercial door hinges for:
Commercial Door Hinge Storefront Glass Door Applications
Commercial Storefront Glass Door Butt Hinges
Commercial glass doors, or storefront doors, are used as entrance doors and exit doors in commercial retail stores and buildings. Most storefront door manufacturers use a standard hinge prep size of 4.5 inches x 4 inches with 1/4 inch radius corners. The location of the storefront door hinges will vary depending on the door manufacturer, however the hinge prep size of 4.5 inches x 4 inches remains the same.
![]()
Commercial Storefront Glass Door Pivot Hinges
The majority of storefront glass doors do not use butt hinges, but instead use offset pivot hinges. An offset pivot hinge is a mechanical device that joins the door and frame using a steel pin that rotates on bearing. Storefront glass doors use two pivot hinges, one at the top of the door and one at the bottom. Offset pivot hinges are more tricky to replace, since each storefront commercial door manufacturer varies in the model of offset pivot hinge used. Some storefront glass doors use concealed center hung door closers, and as a result will use a center hung bottom pivot assembly.
Commercial Door Hinge Storefront Glass Door Compatibility
Storefront glass doors also known as commercial glass doors are used primarily for entrance doors to any commercial building such as retail stores, public buildings, and more. These doors feature commercial grade door hinges. Below is a list of storefront door manufacturers that we can supply replacement and compatible commercial door hinges for:
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Are Commercial Door Hinges?
For commercial wood doors or hollow metal steel doors, the butt hinges are always 4.5 inch x 4.5 inch with square edges. For commercial glass doors or storefront entrance doors, the butt hinges are 4.5 inch x 4 inch with 1/4 inch radius corners.
How Are Commercial Door Hinges Measured?
Commercial door hinges are always listed by the height and then width. For example, a commercial door hinge listed as 4.5 inch x 4 inch, would indicate the height of the door hinge is 4.5 inches and the width of the door hinge is 4 inches. The hinge height is the distance from the top of the hinge leaf to the bottom of the hinge leaf. The hinge width is the distance from one end of the hinge leaf to the other end of the hinge leaf.
![]()
How Do You Install A Commercial Door Hinge?
If you are replacing an existing commercial door hinge, then installation is very simple. The door can be shimmed, then the existing hinges can be removed. The new commercial door hinges can then be installed. If the commercial door hinges are going to be installed on a door that has not been prepped, then a prep template is included with the commercial door hinges. Using the hinge template mark the holes that need to be drilled and tapped on the door and frame. Once all holes have been drilled and tapped according to the template, then the new commercial door hinges can be fastened to the door and frame.
What Hinges To Use For Heavy Doors?
For heavy commercial wood or hollow metal doors, heavy weight 4 ball bearing commercial door butt hinges should be used. Heavy weight 4 ball bearing butt hinges are good for door weights up to 150 pounds. For heavier commercial doors, commercial door continuous hinges can be used for door weights up to 450 pounds.
What Is Strongest Commercial Door Hinge?
Commercial door continuous hinges are the strongest door hinges on the market. These commercial grade hinges distribute the weight of the door better than butt hinges, allowing it to be used on commercial doors up to 450 pounds. Continuous hinges can be retrofitted to easily replace butt hinge commercial doors.
