Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Which hinge would be best on a 3/4" thick door. I bought a couple of these SS butt hinges at lowes awhile back but now I'm thinkin offset piano hinge. With the butt hinges I'll probably have to use small bolts and T-nuts. With a offset piano hinge, from what I understand the screws will be on the inside. any comments.

Larry, I used a SS piano hinge on my first and the living plastic version on the next ones and just used #8X3/4 screws W/2" spacing to mount them...haven't had any problems but did squirt some sealant into the predrilled holes before mounting.............
madjack

Larry,

The way you intend to seal a door somewhat determines hinge type. If you are using an external seal - t-molding around the door with weatherstriping on one leg of the t-molding - you'll need to have the door plane offset from the plane of the sidewalls. The consensus seems to be that you need 1/8" offset. To get the offset with the hinges you have, you can make a 1/8" spacer.

If you are using an internal seal - the inside of the door seals against weatherstripping on internal door frame - then the door and sidewall can be on the same plane.

Since I didn't trust my construction skills, I am using both an internal and external seal. The sidewall side of my hinges have a 1/8" nylon spacer (the black material under the hinge).



This picture shows my internal door frame. (I haven't installed the weatherstripping yet.)



My internal door frame is flush with the interior wall since the clearance for the weatherstripping is provided by the hinge spacers. If you are using an internal seal only, and your doors are flush with your sidewalls, then you will need to add a spacer between the inside wall and internal door frame to make room for the weatherstripping.

Good luck and take care,
Tom

Great explanation, Tom.

I'll be starting my door soon and that info. will come in handy.

That was a good explanation. I never thought about a spacer on the butt hinge. Lately I've been studying the offset piano hinge that Grant sells and I think I might go that route now because the screws will be on the inside and for the firmness it gives to a thin door.

Hey I really like those hinges. Where did you get them? What are they called?
Thanks,