Concealed vs. European Style Hinges: What’s the Difference

When you’re updating cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom, you may encounter several unfamiliar terms. You may have read or heard a couple of terms like concealed hinges and European-style hinges. This lack of knowledge can lead to confusion. You may wonder, “Concealed vs. European style hinges: what’s the difference?” Read on to find out!

European Hinges

You install the European hinge inside the cabinet, but it becomes concealed when the cabinet door is shut and exposed when the door is open; this style was designed for frameless cabinets that are popular in Europe. It’s available in a range of sizes and can fit multiple door styles, including full overlay, partial, and inset. They provide extra room for adjustments and can easily offer support for heavier doors.

Since they are fully concealed hinges, they give your cabinets a modern look. You can purchase European hinges with the popular soft-close feature. If you’re a parent, you understand how vital this feature is in your home. Gone are the days of hearing cabinets slam.

This style is popular in kitchens and bathrooms. They’re a more forgiving hinge than traditional ones because you can adjust them after installation.

Concealed Hinges

Concealed hinges also go by other names, such as European, hidden, and invisible, and you can use them on cabinets, interior and entry doors, and even furniture. Since these hinges remain hidden, they offer an aesthetically pleasing appearance. If we’re talking about cabinets, the hinges give a smooth, clean look when the cabinets are closed.

These hinges are costlier than traditional hinges, so you’ll often find them used selectively. You can easily buy cabinet hinges online at wholesale retailers such as Craft Supply Corp. Purchasing hinges in bulk means you save money.

What’s the Difference?

A European hinge is a type of concealed hinge, so there is no difference. In fact, you can use the name interchangeably.

Now that you understand concealed vs. European style hinges, you’re ready to start shopping. If you’re renovating your kitchen cabinets and want the best hinges at the best price, then shop at Craft Supply Corp. Now, when you see the term concealed or European hinges, you’ll know exactly what that means.