What Is A Hinge Front?

Traditional Strap Hinge Fronts

Traditional Arrow End or Penny End T hinges are not suitable for every door configuration. If you have an existing ledge and brace door fitted with conventional butt hinges, or the position of the door means butt hinges are the only practical option, hinge fronts—also known as hinge blanks—can provide the traditional appearance of a strap hinge.

Fitting Hinge Fronts with Existing Butt Hinges

If your ledge and brace door already has butt hinges, there are two ways to achieve a traditional look.

1. Replace Butt Hinges with Traditional T Hinges

If the architrave and door position allow, traditional T hinges are a classic choice for a ledge and brace door. Depending on how the butt hinges were originally installed, you may need to fill the existing hinge recesses or replace the architrave before fitting the new hinges. T hinges are designed to sit flat across the door and surrounding architrave.

Rustic pewter T hinge fitted to a ledge and brace door

2. Fit Hinge Fronts or Hinge Blanks

If your door is close to a wall, has unsuitable architrave, or has butt hinges that you do not want to replace, hinge fronts are an effective alternative. Position the hinge front on the edge of the door in line with the existing butt hinge, then secure it in place. This creates the appearance of a traditional T hinge.

Hinge fronts can also help where a door opens inwards with the ledges and braces on the inside. In this situation, mounting conventional T hinges on the inside can leave an unsightly gap between the door surround and the ledges. Using a hand-forged hinge front alongside a conventional butt hinge creates the desired traditional detail on the visible, non-braced side of the door.

Hand Forged Hinge Fronts in Black and Pewter

Our hinge fronts are individually hand forged from mild steel and available in two finishes:

They are supplied as pairs in 18-inch and 24-inch sizes. Choose a traditional Penny End or Arrow End design to coordinate with your existing door furniture.

Hand forged hinge fronts in black beeswax and rustic pewter finishes