Special Hinges Gentle Close Cabinet Doors Without Slams

If you've ever experienced the jarring sound of kitchen cabinet doors slamming shut, you know it's an annoyance you'd probably like to do without. Not only is that loud banging disruptive, but over time it can actually lead to cracked panels, broken hinges, and other damage.

Luckily, there's an easy solution to say goodbye to slamming cabinet doors for good: soft closing hinges. These specialty hinges have an internal damping mechanism that activates to gently slow the closing motion, preventing the door from noisily banging against the cabinet frame.

What Are Soft Close Hinges?

Soft close hinges, also sometimes called self closing hinges, are hinges engineered to eliminate the slamming of cabinet doors. They gently brake the speed of the closing door, bringing it silently back into place without any jarring motion.

Most models work through the use of hydraulic fluid, pneumatic dampers, or small springs that engage to slow momentum. There are two main types:

• Integrated damper hinges: The damping mechanism is built directly into the hinge itself for a streamlined look.
• Cup damper hinges: A separate cylindrical damper is installed into a hole in the hinge cup to provide the soft closing action.

Key Benefits

Upgrading your kitchen cabinets to soft close hinges offers several advantages:

• Greatly reduce banging, slamming noises
• Prevent cracks, breaks, and damage to doors
• Minimize wear and tear on cabinets over time
• Provide smooth, elegant door motion
• Improve ease of access to contents
• Enhance durability of cabinets

Who Needs Soft Closing Hinges?

There are several signs your kitchen could benefit from soft closing hinges:

• Doors that loudly bang shut
• Broken hinges, cracks, and damage from slamming
• Worn looking cabinets
• Difficulty fully closing stubborn doors
• Planning a kitchen renovation
• Constructing new custom cabinets

The ease and smoothness of soft closing hinges makes them a smart upgrade for nearly any kitchen. They are especially helpful for households with children who may absentmindedly leave cabinet doors open.

Luxury Appeal

While solving an practical problem, soft closing hinges also add an extra touch of luxury to kitchen cabinets. The smooth and effortless door motion lends an upscale, high-end feel.

What to Look for When Buying

Those seeking to upgrade their kitchen should know there are variety of design factors and options to consider when selecting soft closing hinges:

Cabinet Style

Determine whether you have overlay or inset style cabinet doors. Overlay doors sit on the cabinet frame while inset doors get installed inside the frame perimeter. The hinge design must match the specific cabinet style.

Load Capacity

The hinges must be rated to handle the weight of your specific cabinet doors without sagging or failing. Larger or heavier doors require higher weight capacities.

Finishes

Look for finishes that coordinate with your cabinet hardware and handles. Most models come in silver, black, white, bronze and more.

Value Options

Prices range widely from just a few dollars up to $50 or more per hinge. Consider how many hinges you need and your budget.

Top Brands

Well-known manufacturers of top performing soft close hinges include:

Blum Hinges

With its renowned Blumotion mechanism, Blum makes some of the smoothest closing hinges available. They pioneered the concept of embedded dampening systems.

Salice Hinges

Salice offers extremely durable hinges combining longevity and silence. Their products come with extensive testing against wear and tear.

Grass Hinges

Respected for German engineering and craftsmanship, Grass hinges provide reliable functionality for the lifetime of your cabinets.

Hafele Hinges

For a more value-oriented option, Hafele hinges present an affordable solution to eliminating slamming doors.

While individual models differ, any of these premium brands make an excellent choice to stop noisy bangs and damage while enabling smooth cabinet motion.

Installation Process Step-By-Step

Replacing your existing hinges with soft closing hinges is a straightforward DIY project for most homeowners. Follow these key steps:

Remove Old Hinges

Begin by detaching the original hinges from the cabinet boxes and doors using a screwdriver. Clean the areas to remove any debris.

Mark New Hinge Positions

Measure and mark precisely where the new hinges will be installed based on manufacturer specifications so doors align correctly.

Attach Hinges

Attach one hinge piece to the cabinet first, keeping placement even. Then connect the other piece to the door. Check alignments as you work.

Test Closing Action

Open and close the newly installed doors multiple times, verifying that the soft closing action works properly without any hinderance or misalignment.

Adjustments After Installing

While most modern soft closing hinges install without a hitch, occasional adjustments may be needed if doors fail to close correctly or gaps appear. Fortunately, most quality models have multiple adjustment features built-in should tweaks become necessary after installation.

3 Types of Adjustments

• Lateral: Moves door left or right
• Height: Raises or lowers the door
• Depth: Sets how far door enters cabinet

Make small incremental adjustments and retest closing each time until the door operates smoothly without rubbing or gaps.

Maintenance Tips

Soft closing hinges generally require very little long term maintenance. Following a few simple care guidelines will help keep them working like new:

• Clean hinges periodically with mild detergent and water to prevent buildup of grime.
• Every 6-12 months apply a small amount of silicone spray lubricant, wiping away any excess.
• Check for signs of wear like visible loosening or off center door hanging which indicate a need to replace aging hinges.

Troubleshooting Problems

In some cases, issues may arise after installation that prevent proper operation of soft closing hinges. Common problems and their solutions include:

Door Won't Close All The Way

Adjust lateral positioning so the hinge side moves inward. Or tighten the depth setting so the door enters farther into the cabinet opening.

Hinge Gets Stuck Halfway

Clean hinge joints and apply lubricant. Adjust depth setting to alter resistance. If issue persists, replace faulty hinge.

Uneven Gaps

Use height adjustment screw to raise or lower door untilgaps appear parallel. Ensure door hangs straight.

Strange Noises

Lubricate hinge barrel and dampening mechanism. Remove debris or dirt buildup. If noises continue, replace damaged hinge.

Upgrading to soft closing hinges is an easy way to add luxury while solving common kitchen problems like loud bangs and cabinet damage. Properly installed and cared for, they will provide smooth, reliable operation for the lifetime of your cabinets. Give your kitchen a makeover with the simple switch to these specialty hinges for a revamped kitchen functionality you can enjoy for decades to come.