When using beaded face frame on inset doors, what type of hinge would you use? If you use a mortised hinge, you would have to cut part of the bead out, which to me would NOT look very good. Would you use Non-Mortised hinges (Hortin Brasses). This is not a kitchen cabinet type project, so what are my options/your recomendations? Thank
- David
Westminster, MD
Our Expert
Actually, a quality brass butt hinge looks good on an inset door with a beaded face frame. Part of the bead is cut away for the hinge mortise, but the space is filled by the leaf of the hinge. Other types of doors are also fit this way. For example, lipped doors have a thumbnail profile around the perimeter and a portion of the profile is removed to accommodate the hinge. Again, it looks fine because the hinge barrel fills the void.
However, if you do not want to remove part of the bead, another option is to cut the mortise on the door stile deep enough for the entire hinge. Although the pivot point will be slightly off-center, it is not enough to affect the door as it swings.
Another option is to use "H" hinges. "H" hinges are traditional for this type of work and the "H" hinge is surface mounted so there is no need to remove part of the bead.
