A curved hinge is a specialised hinge with angled or bent leaves that allows a door, gate, or panel to pivot correctly when the frame, wall, or opening is not at a standard right angle. Unlike flat butt hinges, a curved hinge compensates for angled jambs, splayed reveals, or non-rectangular openings.
Design and types
A standard butt hinge has two flat leaves joined by a pin. A curved hinge modifies this design by bending one or both leaves to match the angle of the mounting surface. The bend may be a simple offset of a few degrees or a more pronounced curve for acutely angled openings.
Common variations include cranked hinges (with a sharp bend near the knuckle to clear an obstruction or thick architrave), offset hinges (where one leaf is set back from the other to allow wider door openings for accessibility), and parliament hinges (with wide, projecting leaves that allow a door to swing 180 degrees and fold flat against the adjacent wall).
The hinge material is typically steel, stainless steel, or brass, depending on the application and the required load capacity. Finishes range from plain zinc plating for concealed installations to polished chrome, satin nickel, or antique brass for visible decorative use.
Application
Curved hinges solve specific problems in both new construction and renovation. In older buildings with out-of-square door frames — common in historic properties where walls have settled over time — a curved hinge allows the door to hang correctly without planing the door to an awkward shape.
In modern design, curved hinges are used for angled partition doors, corner cabinets, bay window shutters, and any opening where two surfaces meet at an angle other than 90 degrees. They are also essential in accessibility modifications, where offset hinges widen the clear opening of a doorway to accommodate wheelchair passage without enlarging the structural opening.
Correct selection requires measuring the angle of the reveal or jamb and matching it to the hinge bend angle. Trial fitting before final installation is recommended to verify smooth operation.
Related terms
- Butt hinge
- Parliament hinge
- Piano hinge
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