What are the table hinges?

When choosing furniture for the home, including tables, both the appearance and functionality of the structure and its durability and wear resistance are of great importance. That is why it is very important to take into account not only the material from which the item is made, but also the quality of the fittings, hinges, which are important components of the product.

In this article we will tell you everything about table hinges, their features, types, materials of manufacture, selection rules.

It is very important that the table, in whatever room it stands, no matter how it is used, is of high quality, reliable and durable. The hinges are only available on folding and unfolding models.

Furniture hinge - This is a special semi-mechanical device that is attached directly to furniture using self-tapping screws. Very often, such products are installed on picnic tables, tennis tables and a modern kitchen attribute. Their presence makes it possible:

• save space - if there is no need for it, the table can be folded and stored in a certain part of the room;
• install the table in any convenient place, for example, attach it to the wall.

Quality hinges extend the life of the furniture.

The assortment of furniture hinges is large and varied. Products may differ in design features, technical parameters, design and scope. Let's consider the main criteria.

• Angle of rotation may have different parameters.

1. 90 degrees. Rarely installed on tables. It is ideal, for example, for a hinged lid in a kitchen worktop.
2. 180 degrees. Most often, such hinges are installed on a kitchen set.
3. 270 degrees. The most suitable option for a folding table. Such a loop can be installed on absolutely any surface.

• Table type, to which the fittings will be mounted, may be different

1. For a transforming table. For this type of construction, hidden sliding hinges are used, which increase the functionality. They are of 2 types - roller and swing-out.

2. For folding table... This can be a computer desk with a pull-out keyboard shelf.

3. For folding model... On a folding or hinged table, an overhead butterfly loop is most often installed. Its installation is quite simple: one side of the product is attached to the table surface, and the other to the wall.

4. For glass top... Such tables are most often installed in the living room, and the load on them is small. To fasten the glass tabletop to the structure supports, the so-called penny loops are used. They increase support and ensure a secure fit.

• Hinge mounting options... There are three ways to install fittings:

1. side-on - this mount is the most popular, as it guarantees a secure fit;
2. clip-on (clip-on) - neat and quick installation without the use of additional fasteners;
3. key-hole.

And also for sliding tables can be used cylindrical, pendulum, secretary, mezzanine, ombre and inverse loops.

Products may differ in their design... Today, furniture hinges are made in various design styles - Provence, retro, classic and others. This makes it possible to choose the right product for any stylistic direction of the interior.

Hinges Is a fastener that is designed to withstand a certain load. In order for this indicator to be as high as possible, only high-quality materials with excellent physical and technical properties and modern production technologies are used in the manufacture of the product.

Table hinges are available in steel and brass.

• Steel... Steel is a strong, reliable and durable material. The steel hinge is characterized by high strength, affordable cost and attractive appearance. Among the disadvantages, it should be noted that such an alloy has low corrosion resistance, so it is not recommended to mount it on a table that will stand in a room with a high level of humidity, for example, in a bathroom or kitchen.
• Brass... Such hinges are more popular. This is due to the advantages of the material, such as beautiful color, corrosion and wear resistance, reliability. The surface of the brass hinge is smooth and does not need to be lubricated. As for the shortcomings, there are several of them - a rather high cost of the product, as well as gradual erasure with constant exposure to high loads.

The majority of consumers, for obvious reasons, opt for steel products.

Hinges are now easy to purchase in a store that sells furniture accessories. This option is convenient for those who want to make a folding table on their own. But it is quite difficult for an inexperienced craftsman to decide on a product.

Currently, the assortment of furniture hinges is diverse. They are considered a safe attachment, so they must be:

• durable;
• wear-resistant;
• resistant to deformation;
• corrosion resistant;
• characterized by soft sliding;
• easy to install;
• beautifully designed.

A correctly chosen fastening element is a guarantee of a long service life of the furniture. In addition to the cost of the product, you must also be guided by technical parameters, such as:

• the size;
• the material from which the product is made;
• the need to use additional sheds;
• absence of deformations, cracks, creases on the hinge;
• availability of quality certificates;
• the maximum permissible load that the loop can withstand.

Self-installation of the loop does not take much time, however, it requires certain knowledge and skills. All you need is a set of necessary tools. There should be a tape measure, a square, a pencil for marking, a hexagon, a screwdriver and an awl.

Installation consists of the following steps:

• preparation of material and tools;
• surface marking;
• drilling holes for self-tapping screws;
• fastening hinges.

You can learn how to install do-it-yourself table hinges in the video below.