| Until now, you may have thought the options for | | | | hold up to a lot of pressure. |
| hinge finishes were black, brass or silver. You | | | | Simple Steel Hinges |
| haven't even scratched the surface of the kinds | | | | Many of those silver hinges you see out there are |
| of hinges that are available to put on the doors | | | | steel hinges. They are meant to do a job, at a |
| and cabinets in your home. | | | | lower price. Steel is a strong metal, but will only |
| Whether you know it or not, the making of | | | | stand up to the weather for so long before it |
| hinges has a long history that varies in design, | | | | starts to corrode. |
| color and finish as much as clothing and furniture. | | | | Other Hinges To Consider |
| You may be amazed to see the kinds of hinges | | | | Bronze Hinges |
| that are really available if you do a little looking. | | | | Much like brass, bronze hinges can be solid bronze |
| Let's start with the pros and cons of what you | | | | or bronze plated. Unlike brass, the properties of |
| know | | | | these two hinges are the opposite. Bronze is a |
| Brass Hinges | | | | very strong metal, so solid bronze hinges will hold |
| These are those brassy colored hinges that you | | | | up to nearly anything you put them through. On |
| most commonly see. But did you know there are | | | | the other side of the coin, the bronze coated |
| two kinds of brass hinges that you will find at | | | | hinges are weaker than the real thing, and also |
| most hardware stores? There are hinges that are | | | | cannot withstand the elements, as pure bronze |
| completely made of brass, and others that are | | | | can. |
| brass plated. The major difference between them | | | | Chrome Hinges |
| is strength. Brass is a relatively soft metal, so a | | | | Looking for something a little flashier in your |
| hinge made of all brass is going to be a little | | | | hinges, chrome is the way to go. These hinges |
| weaker than a hinge made of stronger metal. | | | | have been given a chrome finish to make them |
| Brass plated hinges are usually steel hinges | | | | shine and sparkle from a distance. They will put |
| underneath that have the look of brass, but still | | | | up with the weather, inside or out, and go |
| retain the steel strength. Also keep in mind brass | | | | perfectly well with a modern and contemporary |
| and saltwater don't mix, so if you're near a beach, | | | | home design. |
| you may want to avoid it. | | | | Galvanized Steel Hinges |
| Iron Hinges | | | | Instead of those plain simple steel hinges, you |
| When you think of strong black hinges, these are | | | | should look into galvanized steel hinges if you |
| iron. Wrought iron is a metal that is heated and | | | | want a set of hinges that are going to last year |
| bent into shape, and will then retain that shape. | | | | after year. Galvanized steel is steel that has been |
| Wrought iron hinges are very strong pieces that | | | | treated and coated in a way where it will be as |
| can handle a door of any size and weight, and will | | | | strong as regular steel, but also weatherproof. |