Door hinges....why piano style rather than conventional?

[DougH]

Well I'm getting closer to mounting my door and was wondering why most everyone seems to use a piano style hinge rather than conventional ones?

What advantage does this offer, or what disadvantage to using regular hinges? FYI my door is 30" wide by 48" high and is rectangular, no curves.

[SteveH]

I used a piano hinge because everyone else did.

[Jst83]

I used regular hinges for my doors. I think it all comes down to preference, I've seen a lot done both ways.

[S.A.Mike]

A PIANO HINGE MAY KEEP THE HINGE SIDE OF THE DOOR A BIT MORE SECURE AND HELP TO CREATE A BETTER SEAL.oops sorry about the caps
Mike

[Roly Nelson]

The reasons I use a piano hinge are as follows:

Pros...........

First of all, it was cheaper, 10 bucks at Lowes.
No delays due to ordering or shipping.
It required no moticing into the door or jamb.
It allows full-length support along full-height straight edged door.
It is virtually invisible except for a sliver of hinge showing from top to bottom.
It eliminates any possibility of warping along the hinge side of the door.
It holds the door tightly against weather stripping.
Hasn't leaked air or water..........Yet.
It was easier to install, requiring no adjustment what so ever.
I feel it is stronger, after all it has dozens of screws from top to bottom.
No special ordered hinges required, with offsets or weak screw connections.
No sagging of the door in open or closed position
Has a full 180 degree swing, allowing it to fit tightly against the wall when open
My final comment is, that I like it and I'm sticking to it!

Cons.........
The 50 or 60 hinge openings may rust in a dozen years or so.

Roly, hoping my comments dont hurt the "better hinge" sales...... (Grant)

[halfdome, Danny]

The piano hinge acts like a stiffner to help keep the door from warping. Danny

[steve wolverton]

The piano hinge acts like a stiffner to help keep the door from warping.

That's the reason I used one.

I also used the cheap Home Depot piano hinge and the screws are rusting. I need to invest in some stainless ones.

[DougH]

OK it sounds like a piano hinge is the way to go. Are the Home Depot/Lowes/Ace hinges made of SS? The screws are easy to replace but I also don't want the hinge to rust.

[Miriam C.]

I used regular hinges that close inside themselves. No mortising.... Just remember to get hinges that don't allow the pin to come out...

[dhazard]

I used Grants custom offset piano hinge and love them. They have a 90 degree bend in them so they add some serious strength to the wall and the door. He also makes them with an offset to allow room for the weatherstripping.

[asianflava]

I used Grant's ofset hinges too. The bend in the hinge will really stiffen the door. It also gives a clean appearance outside because all the screws are inside.

[doug hodder]

Grants!!!! used them on 3 builds and they are great! Doug