Prevent Cabinet Slams with Soft Closing Hinges
If you've ever been startled by the sudden, loud bang of a kitchen cabinet slamming shut, you know it's an unpleasant experience. The startling noise reverberates through the room as dishes clatter and nerves fray. Fortunately, this kitchen nuisance can be prevented thanks to an innovation in cabinet hardware technology: soft closing hinges.
Soft closing hinges for kitchen cabinets absorb the force when doors close, preventing them from slamming noisily. These ingenious hinges make kitchen tasks more pleasant by eliminating frustrating bangs and slams. Read on to learn all about how soft closing hinges work and how they can transform your kitchen experience.
What Are Soft Closing Hinges?
Soft closing hinges are special hinges designed with mechanisms that gently slow the motion of closing cabinet doors and drawers. Just before the door is completely closed, the unique mechanism in the hinge engages to silently ease it into place without slamming.
How the Closing Mechanism Works
The soft closing mechanism works through either hydraulic or mechanical means. Hydraulic soft closing hinges use a piston filled with silicone fluid that engages as the door nears the closed position. The fluid gently dampens and slows the door's swing to prevent slamming.
Mechanical soft closing hinges utilize springs and lever arms to activate cushioning brake pads when closing. The brake pads absorb the energy and bring the door to rest without banging. Both types reliably prevent slammingdoors through the controlled deceleration of closing speed.
Benefits Over Standard Hinges
Standard hinges allow cabinet doors to swing freely and quickly, gaining momentum that results in loud bangs on closing. Soft closing hinges offer many benefits over standard hinges:
- Prevent loud banging and slamming of doors
- Eliminate clattering of stored dishes and items
- Reduce wear and tear on the cabinets and hinges
- Create a more peaceful, elegant environment
The controlled action also makes the cabinets feel more high-end and luxurious when opening and closing.
Types of Soft Closing Hinges
Several types of soft closing hinges exist to fit different cabinet door styles and preferences.
Full Wrap Versus Half Wrap
Full wrap soft closing hinges have two hinge plates that wrap around the door and cabinet sides when closed. The full wrap provides stability for heavy or wide doors. Half wrap soft closing hinges have one hinge plate attached to the cabinet and a separate plate on the door. The half wrap style offers easier installation than the full wrap.
Self-Closing Function
Self-closing hinges take the functionality a step further by including a spring mechanism that pulls the door closed from an open position without needing to manually swing it shut. The self-closing action works independently from the soft closing mechanism to prevent slammed doors and keep doors from being left ajar.
Installing Soft Closing Hinges
Installing soft closing hinges requires careful measurement and drilling to position the hinge plates accurately. having the right tools on hand will make the installation process smoother.
Materials Needed
- Soft closing hinges
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Clamps (optional)
Installation Process
Follow these key steps to install soft closing hinges:
- Remove existing hinges and measure new hinge placement
- Clamp hinges (if needed) and drill pilot holes
- Attach hinge plate to cabinet using provided screws
- Fasten second hinge plate to door
- Test door swing and alignment; adjust if needed
Be sure to check that the door aligns flush with the cabinet before finalizing. Some hinges allow further adjustment after installation if needed to perfect the door alignment.
Transforming Your Kitchen with Soft Closing Hinges
Adding soft closing hinges is a simple upgrade that can make a drastic improvement in your kitchen's functionality and ambiance. The ability to open and softly close cabinet doors without jarring slamming noises brings a new level of luxury and convenience to kitchen taskes.
Eliminating Annoying Bangs
No longer will you need to cringe and brace yourself against the raucous banging of cabinet doors. The soft closing mechanism engages just as the door approaches shut, gently easing it into place whislt eliminating the last few inches of swing speed that normally ends in a loud crack.
Reducing Wear and Tear
Fewer slams means less force inflicted on the hinges and cabinets over time. The soft close technology significantly reduces wear from repetitive high-impact blows. This helps preserve the integrity of the cabinet boxes, doors, and hinges to maintain kitchen appearance and function for longer.
Enhancing Kitchen Serenity
Simply put, soft closing hinges reduce kitchen chaos. No more jumping at sudden bangs or wincing as dishes rattle from slammed doors. Closing cabinets becomes a smooth, graceful motion rather than an abrasive disruption. For kitchen cooks desiring a more peaceful, elegant environment, soft closing hinges are an easy solution with impressive effects.
Soft closing hinges may seem like a small change, but they produce an outsized improvement in day-to-day quality of life. The elimination of frustrating bangs and slams makes kitchen tasks less jarring and more pleasant. Reduced wear also preserves cabinet integrity over many years of use. For homeowners seeking to add convenience and luxury to the kitchen, soft closing hinges provide value and function that will be appreciated every time a cabinet is opened.