How do I choose the right finish for my hinges and hardware? (2024)

Wow, this is a tough question and one we get asked a lot. It is also very subjective and personal taste comes into play when selecting the right finish for your door hinges and hardware. Let’s start off by saying that you should consider the hardware as the jewels of your home. Door hinges and hardware add a lot of character to your home without you even noticing most of the time. So, you need to put some thought into this before you make your investment.

Our favorite finishes you should consider when purchasing door hinges and hardware in 2016 are as follows:

  • Satin (Brushed) Nickel Hinges
  • Oil Rubbed Bronze Hinges
  • Antique Brass Hinges

The Satin nickel finish is by far the most popular hinge and hardware finish on the market today. It provides a clean polished modern look, but is versatile enough to be used in a Bungalow, Colonial, or Craftsman style home. In our opinion, this finish looks great on just about anything and is a conservative choice when upgrading your hinges and hardware.

How do I choose the right finish for my hinges and hardware? (1)

One of our favorites here at Hinge Outlet, is the Oil Rubbed Bronze finish. This finish is perfect for adding a Rustic look to your home and can provide more distinction than the Satin Nickel finish. The Oil Rubbed Bronze finish is a perfect mix of old world and modern when used appropriately. You should really consider this if you have a bold personality that you are trying to highlight.

How do I choose the right finish for my hinges and hardware? (2)

The Antique Brass finish has really grown in popularity at Hinge Outlet over the past five years. This finish is a great mix of old world brass and modern rustic. It is a bit more subtle that the Oil Rubbed Bronze finish and does not appear as dated as the Polished Brass finish.

How do I choose the right finish for my hinges and hardware? (3)

Speaking of the Polished Brass finish, this one is also worth mentioning. In our opinion, it went out of style in the 90s, but it continues to find a niche in the marketplace. Many customers who don’t want to upgrade their home to one of the more popular finishes continue to purchase polished brass in either a steel or solid brass material. The Polished Brass finish is a reflective polish coated with a clear coat lacquer that will prevent tarnish for many years. These lacquers are carefully applied and invisible. They have gone through periods of popularity throughout the 20th century and will come back in style eventually.

How do I choose the right finish for my hinges and hardware? (4)

Some of the other finishes we carry here at Hinge Outlet are as follows:

White

Matte Black

Polished Chrome

Satin Brass

Satin Chrome

Stainless Steel

For additional information on your door hinge and home hardware needs, please contact us.

How do I choose the right finish for my hinges and hardware? (2024)

FAQs

How to choose hardware finishes? ›

Once you know your desired style, select new hardware finishes that match your vision. You can go for popular choices like brushed nickel, chrome, brass, bronze, black, or even more unique finishes like matte gold or antique copper. Consider the finish's texture and how it compliments your cabinet material and color.

How do I choose the right hinge? ›

Hinge Type and Application

Where the hinge goes determines what type you'll need. Door hinges support interior and exterior doors. Strap or T-strap hinges are typically for large swinging doors or gates. Spring hinges are for self-closing doors, such as garages and screen doors.

What is the most popular hardware finish? ›

7 Popular finishes for door hardware
  1. Matte black. Matte black is a stylish finish that adds a modern, dramatic touch to a house. ...
  2. Satin nickel. Satin nickel has a smooth appearance that hides fingerprints and abrasions. ...
  3. Satin chrome. ...
  4. Polished brass. ...
  5. Oil rubbed bronze. ...
  6. Aged bronze. ...
  7. Brushed nickel.
Feb 7, 2024

What is the best finish for exterior hardware? ›

Bright chrome, oil-rubbed-bronze or powered coats should be considered in these regions. Sunbelt areas with extreme UV rays degrade clear coating finishes. Chrome or oil-rubbed-bronze should be considered in these regions.

Does hardware have to match hinges? ›

Door handles, fixtures and fittings, and other hardware don't have to match exactly, but they should blend together to make a harmonious space.

What should kitchen hardware match? ›

It's NOT mandatory to match your hardware and appliances specifically; still, the finishes must compliment each other! For example, stainless steel appliances look impressive with stainless steel hardware. However, stainless steel appliances look incredible with matte black hardware too!

How do you calculate hinge selection? ›

Follow the simple code of practice to correct hinge specification - if in doubt, seek assistance from the manufacturer. The actual door mass will require increasing by the factor calculated between the door height and the door width. This is calculated by dividing the door height by the door width.

How do I select preferences on hinge? ›

To edit your Dating Preferences:

Within the Hinge app, tap your Photo Icon on the far right of the navigation bar. Tap the Dating Preferences Icon. Tap the preference that you want to change. Turn on Dealbreaker if this is a strict preference.

How do I find my hinge match? ›

There are a couple ways to Match with people:

If someone already Liked your profile, you'll see them in the Likes You​​ tab. ​​If you want to Match with them, tap the Match button and their profile will move to Matches, where you can start chatting. You can also Like people who haven't seen your profile yet.

What hardware finish is timeless? ›

Polished Chrome (Cool Undertone)

This shiny finish is a timeless favorite. It is a popular choice for bath and powder rooms. Polished Chrome is also very hardy adding to its aptitude for damp areas like bathrooms.

What is the current trend for door hardware? ›

Simplicity and Minimalism: capturing understated elegance

The trend towards minimalist door hardware continues to grow, as architects and interior designers increasingly seek beauty in simplicity for their projects. This design approach emphasizes paring down to essentials, focusing on form and function.

How to choose metal finishes? ›

"Pick one finish to use as a focal point, and incorporate other finishes as accents to complement it." Start with a metal that reflects the overall aesthetic of the room. For instance, satin or polished nickel works well in traditional spaces, while matte black offers a more contemporary feel.

How do I choose hardware finish? ›

1. How do you want your hardware to make a statement? If you would like your hardware to make a bold impact, choose a finish that has a lot of contrast with your door color. For example, black hardware on white doors, or satin brass on navy blue doors.

What is the best metal finish for outdoors? ›

Both mirror finish and satin finish aluminum are popular for various exterior applications. Mirror finish aluminum is most commonly used for decorative purposes, while satin finish aluminum works very well for functional portions of a building's exterior or small structures such as awnings.

What finish to use on exterior door? ›

Semi-gloss paint offers enhanced durability against wear-and-tear and harsh weather compared to flat or eggshell finishes, and it masks surface imperfections better than high-gloss. The glossiness also makes the door easier to clean as compared to flat or eggshell finishes.

How to choose cabinet hardware finish? ›

Stainless steel handles in a highly polished or brushed finish look great in a contemporary kitchen. Pewter and brass look more at home in a traditional setting. Bronze will patina over time, mature in appearance, and will make a bold statement in a rustic kitchen.

How to decide on hardware color? ›

The cabinet hardware finish should coordinate with the cabinet color. White cabinets look great with just about any hardware finish, but light- and dark-colored cabinets should be paired with hardware finishes that make the pulls—and hinges if they're visible—pop.

References

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