When it comes to crafting high-quality cabinetry, the hardware you choose is as critical as the craftsmanship itself. Hinges play a pivotal role in ensuring smooth, reliable, and long-lasting performance. For many cabinet makers, switching from one hinge brand to another can seem daunting, but Salice hinges offer an exceptional blend of quality, versatility, and ease of use that make the transition seamless. Even better, if you’re already using the Canadian industry standard, you won’t need to change anything in your manufacturing setup to start using Salice hinges. In this article, we’ll explore how to choose the right Salice hinge and mounting plate for your application, and why they are an excellent choice for those looking to elevate their cabinetry with Italian-made precision.
110-Degree Soft-Close Hinges – Versatile and Commonplace
Soft-close hinges have become a staple in modern cabinetry, providing a smooth, controlled closing action that prevents slamming and reduces wear on both doors and frames. The 110-degree soft-close hinge is particularly popular due to its wide opening angle, making it suitable for a variety of applications, from kitchen cabinets to bathroom vanities. It allows easy access to the interior while ensuring that the doors close softly and quietly. Salice offers a range of high-quality 110-degree soft-close hinges, ideal for any project where durability and smooth operation are paramount.
Features of the Salice 700 Series Hinges
Salice’s 700 Series hinges stand out for their innovative features and superior craftsmanship:
Soft Close with Dampening Switch
Hinges in the 700 series come equipped with a dampening switch that allows users to adjust the soft-close action to their preference. Even with lightweight or specialty doors, the motion remains perfect!
Made in Italy
Salice hinges are crafted in Italy, a country renowned for its engineering excellence and attention to detail. This heritage is reflected in the precise construction and reliable performance of Salice products.
High Quality and Longevity
Designed to withstand the rigours of everyday use, Salice hinges offer exceptional motion and durability that last the hinge’s lifetime. This level of quality ensures that your cabinets will function flawlessly for years to come.
Choosing an Overlay for your Salice Hinges
Understanding overlay is crucial when selecting the right hinge. Overlay refers to how much the door covers the cabinet frame or side panel when closed. Salice offers three primary types of hinges, each suited for different overlays:
Full Overlay
The door completely covers the cabinet side panel, giving a seamless look. Full overlay hinges are ideal for contemporary designs where a clean, uninterrupted appearance is desired
Half Overlay
Two doors share a single side panel, each covering half of it. This is commonly used for cabinets with multiple doors and provides a balanced, symmetrical look.
Inset
The door sits flush with the cabinet frame, creating a uniform surface. Inset hinges are perfect for traditional and shaker-style cabinetry, offering a refined, classic appearance.
Choosing a Fixing Method
Like most leading brands, Salice offers several fixing methods to suit various preferences and installation scenarios. The three primary options are:
Dowel
This method involves inserting dowels into pre-drilled holes, providing a strong, permanent bond. It’s a traditional choice that ensures secure attachment.
Tool-Free
Salice’s tool-free hinges are designed for quick and easy installation without the need for screws or special tools. This method is perfect for fast assembly and adjustments on-site.
Wood Screw
The most straightforward method, wood screws provide a strong hold and are ideal for custom or smaller installations where precision is key.
Choosing a Mounting Plate
Mounting plates are a critical component of any hinge system, and Salice offers a variety of options to ensure a perfect fit for your cabinetry.
Salice Domi Technology
This innovative technology simplifies installation and adjustment. Salice Domi mounting plates allow for precise positioning, ensuring consistent reveals and alignment across multiple doors.
Calculating the Correct Mounting Plate Thickness
Choosing the right mounting plate thickness is crucial to achieving the desired overlay and reveal. The thickness of the mounting plate you need depends on the gable thickness, desired reveal, and the hinge constant. Here’s a simplified guide to help you select the correct mounting plate:
Full Overlay Applications
Cabinet makers often prefer a 1mm reveal, as it is virtually standard and provides a sleek, modern look. The overlay, therefore, is determined by subtracting the reveal from the gable thickness.
For a 16mm (5/8”) gable, use a 4mm or 6mm plate to achieve a 1mm reveal. This will ensure that the door covers the desired amount of the gable.
For a 19mm (3/4”) gable, use a 2mm plate for a 1mm reveal. This helps maintain the standard gap and appearance without adjusting the hinge drilling distance.
Inset Applications
In inset configurations, the door is flush with the frame. To achieve this look, a 4mm mounting plate is typically recommended. This ensures the door sits perfectly within the frame, providing a clean and refined finish.
Half Overlay Applications
For cabinets where two doors share the same gable, a 6mm hinge plate is usually ideal. This configuration allows each door to cover half of the gable, maintaining a balanced and symmetrical appearance.
The Simple Formula for Plate Thickness
The general formula for calculating the correct hinge plate thickness is:
Hinge Plate Thickness = Hinge Constant + Drilling Distance – Desired Overlay
For Full Overlay hinges, the hinge constant is 15mm. Using the standard drilling distance of 5mm, the calculation for a full overlay would look like this:
Plate Thickness = 15 + 5 – Desired Overlay in mm
For a 19mm gable and a 1mm reveal, the plate thickness needed is 2mm.
For Inset applications, the formula is slightly different:
Hinge Plate Thickness = Hinge Constant + Drilling Distance + Gap
For inset hinges, the hinge constant is -2mm. With a 5mm drilling distance and a 1mm gap, the calculation is:
Plate Thickness = (-2) + 5 + 1 = 4mm
Using these formulas simplifies the process of selecting the appropriate hinge plate for your cabinets, ensuring perfect alignment and function.
Types of Salice mounting plates include:
Cruciform BAV
A stamped steel plate with a single cam adjustment, offering a cost-effective yet reliable option for standard applications.
Cruciform BAR
Made of cast steel, this plate is stronger, more durable and features a double cam adjustment, making it the most popular choice for various cabinet types.
Straight Plates
These provide a sleeker, more luxurious look, ideal for high-end cabinetry where aesthetics are as important as functionality.
B2V & B2R (Non-Clip-On)
Typically used for institutional or special-order projects, these plates are reserved for unique applications where a clip-on mechanism is not required. In order to purchase these plates from McFadden’s, it is necessary to place a special order.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Salice hinge and mounting plate is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance the quality and functionality of your cabinetry. With a range of options for overlays, fixing methods, and mounting plates, Salice offers solutions that are easy to integrate into any workshop, making it an ideal choice for cabinet makers looking to switch to a high-quality, Italian-made brand. By choosing Salice hinges, you’ll ensure that your cabinets not only look beautiful but also function flawlessly for years to come.
