soft close hinges

searchlight123

hi
i'm just about to order some soft close hinges for my howdens nebraska kitchen that is still in good nick after 8 years!!
do i need 1 or 2 soft close hinges per 700mm high doors (i have 300, 400 and 500mm width doors).
someone has told me to just replace 1 out of the pair (if so is it best to replace top or bottom one) or should i really be replacing them in pairs? i am going for GTV branded hinges as they seem to be a direct swap sizewise.

many thanks.

dj1471

It probably depends on the hinge. The ones in my kitchen require all hinges to be soft close to support the weight of the door (I discovered that a few doors only had one soft close hinge - that'll be why they weren't closing as well as the others!).

So personally I'd replace all with soft close, especially since they're not all that expensive.

searchlight123

Thanks for that. I thought that would be best also.

Furts

The kitchen fitter that I use always says do them in pairs. This is particularly important on the heavier doors. I would do this just based on aesthetics, and to give the appearance of a quality job. IIRR even the cheap kitchen units at B&Q pair up the soft close hinges.

searchlight123

thanks for confirming what i thought furts.

woodworm001

In my kitchen (Lakes) the soft close hinges just 'click on' over the top of the existing hinge, only one is required per door.

Furts

woodworm001 wrote: »

In my kitchen (Lakes) the soft close hinges just 'click on' over the top of the existing hinge, only one is required per door.

If the doors shut in a satisfactory manner then that is all that matters. So good for you.

My understanding is that the larger and heavier doors benefit from two soft closers. I am wondering if your doors are smaller or lighter? Equally your kitchen fitter may have chanced saving a few pounds on each door by not fitting the second soft closer?

I would welcome your feedback on this and the more knowledge the better.

cajef

Furts wrote: »

My understanding is that the larger and heavier doors benefit from two soft closers.

My kitchen cupboards all have the clip on type of soft closers, the fitter put one on all the hinges, he stated he preferred to put two on each door as it keeps the weight of the door even on both hinges as it closes.

I bowed to his superior knowledge.:D