Skill Level: Intermediate

Introduction

Hanging a new door in the home is not such a difficult job, providing you have the correct tools, and the right hinges. Installing the right hinges correctly means the difference between a good job well done…and reaching for the yellow pages (and wallet) to get professional help.

Traditionally, rising butt hinges are used in the dining room, drawing-room - or on other internal doors where there is carpet fitted. These hinges are designed so that when the door is opened, it raises high enough to clear the thickness of the carpet. These hinges may also be used outside the home wherever the door or gate lies below the level of rising ground.

When to use rising butt hinges

If you have deep piled carpet, or some other thick floor covering, such as tiles, in the doorway or jamb area that prevents the door from easily opening and closing, then this is a perfect situation for rising butt hinges.

Keep in mind, that when installing a rising butt hinge in this situation, you'll also need to make sure that the installation height of the hinges are fixed precisely in order to keep the bottom of the door from pressing down and rubbing the thick floor covering when the door is being closed.

Rising butt hinges come either left or right handed

These rising butt hinges are available opening either right handed or left handed.  If the door opens away from you and the hinge is to be on the left then use a left handed rising butt hinge. If the hinge is to be on the right then a right handed hinge will be required. However, if the door opens towards you, reverse this and choose a left handed hinge for the right side or a right handed hinge for the left. Most hinges will be marked RH or LF so as not to confuse. The two parts of the hinge separate so that, when open, the door may be lifted and removed.

When an easily removable door is wanted

Another situation when you may wish to use a rising butt hinge is when you want to fit a door that can be easily removed, from time to time. Due to the design of rising butt hinges, a door can easily be lifted up and off the hinges when it has been installed correctly.

Are rising butt hinges self closing

These hinges have the advantage over ordinary butt hinges in that the door becomes, almost, self-closing. The weight of the door combined with the bevel on the hinged joint causes the door to close by itself, in the majority of cases.

Installing rising butt hinges

To mark out the fixing position of the hinges, the hinge should be laid flat against the edge of the door and the recess. Take care in marking these dimensions precisely. When done, the recessing should be equal on both the edge of the door and the frame.

A two part construction

The hinge consists of two parts; the leaf that is fitted to the door frame which has a spiral knuckle and pivot pin, and the second flap which is fixed to the door. As the door is opened the leaf fitted to the door rides up the spiral knuckle raising the door as it opens.

Tools you will need:

	75mm Left Hand Rising Butt Hinge
	Carpenters Hammer
	Slotted Chisel
	Bevel Edge Chisel

Clothes Airers

A clothes airer can save money on energy bills, and look stylish, we offer choices such as a clothes horse, rotary washing line, or rotary clothes line.

OK so in the current economic climate if you can save some money on electricity costs that should be of interest to you and if by doing that you are helping to save the planet then that’s even better!

If you are looking to dry clothes indoors then tumble dryers are often the first thing that people think about as they are the modern day solution. However the 20^th Century invention has a few drawbacks.

Tumble driers vary greatly when it comes to their energy rating, some of the very expensive newer models can be A+++ which is the best rating you can have, down to a lowly G for very inefficient ones.

The “Energy Saving Trust” rates a typical tumble drier at a C rating which is going to cost about 40p each time you use it.

So why not consider going back in time to the “old fashioned” clothes airer, not only will you save money but the “Airer Maid” varieties add some Victorian charm to the look of your kitchen.

The 40p cost of using a tumble drier makes an indoor airer great value for money over the long term and you are helping to slow down the effects of climate change.

If used correctly (items laid flat across the rails and spaced out well) an airer drying clothes indoors will not take too long. It is advisable to do your washing in the late afternoon/evening so by the next morning everything should be pretty much dry.

Another big disadvantage to the tumble dryer is that it may cause clothes to shrink or become not so soft to the touch (due to loss of short soft fibres/lint).

So keep on top of your laundry with Ironmongery Online, so you always have clean, fresh clothes.

What can we offer you?

We have a large stock of indoor clothes airers, clothes horses, wall mounted driers and airer maids.

We also stock rotary washing lines for outdoors and clothes line accessories.

At Ironmongery Online, we have an incredible range of clothes airers for you to choose from, all at great prices and next day delivery is an option.

So if you are looking to dry your washing in an eco-friendly manner whilst making your home look stylish check out our full range here.

If you are hoping for a more traditional look then maybe a Pulley clothes airer would suit you more, see them here, as they offer classic styles with cast iron rack ends in variety of designs.

Our pulley clothes airers maximise the space available as they are suspended from the ceiling so they don’t take up valuable floor space in your kitchen or utility room.

Many people like the pulley airers as they look terrific with your saucepans and other kitchen utensils hanging down from them. Dried flowers and herbs hanging from them create a great Victorian kitchen vibe also.

If the more modern and contemporary is more your style then we can also offer a variety of options and choices including a variety of colours.

Other Space Savers

If space in your home is precious to you then give some thought to wall mounted clothes airers or a radiator airer. The radiator ones, as the name suggests, hang over the radiator itself which means that drying times can be reduced.

Wall mounted dryers are also environmentally friendly and very compact, making them ideal for use in areas where space is limited like a small flat or studio apartment. We also stock “foldaway airers”, also known as “clothes horse” these are perfect for drying your washing indoors when the UK weather simply will not allow you to hang any washing outside.

So simply choose one of our airers to dry your clothes, giving you fresh, clean laundry in a cost effective and timely manner.  If your household washing basket is in danger of overflowing simply because you don't have anywhere to dry clothes correctly in doors it's time you treated yourself to an Ironmongery Online special offer. So if your problem is lots of washing but no space to hang it, you need our help.

We can help make doing the laundry less of a bore with our smart space-saving drying options.

Threaded Rod from Ironmongery Online

We'd like to offer you some Pro tips relating to threaded rods. At Ironmongery Online we like to think we are a specialist in Threaded bars/rods, studding connectors and chemical anchors which is quite a statement to make when you consider our website stocks something like 50,000 different items and threaded rod only accounts for a tiny percentage of these products. So why do we say that we specialise in this area? Well threaded rod is in itself a fairly niche market and there are not too many places that stock a wide range like we do and it’s not the sort of item that your average DIY enthusiast is going to be buying on a regular basis from their local hardware shop. Our range is, as you’d expect from a leading online retailer, made to very high specifications when it comes to quality and durability.

We offer threaded bar options that cover a vast number of uses to give you confidence that whatever your needs we can fulfil them. We are confident that as we offer such a full stock for you to choose from, you would have great difficulty sourcing a lot of it anywhere else, Ironmongery Online really is the place for threaded rod. We offer threaded bars which are zinc plated, brass as well as various steel grades, from mild to high-grade stainless steel. One of our most popular items is steel tubes because of their ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage in a variety of environments and temperatures.

This means they are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Our tubes come in M20 Threaded Rod, M16 Threaded Rod, M12 Threaded Rod, M10 Threaded Rod and M8 Threaded Rod. These are standard metric measurements to make it easier for you to order the right ones for the job. So for instance if you need a thread with an outer diameter of 20 millimetres then you will just need to order an M20 threaded bar. To complement our stock of steel bars and tubes we also provide all of the studding connectors and chemical anchors you will need to complete the job in a professional manner. We supply chemical resin cartridges, spare nozzles, anchor capsules and connectors in various pack sizes so no matter how big or small the job is you have it covered with Ironmongery Online.

Why Threaded Rod?

Suspended ceilings and mezzanine floors are two of the popular uses for them. Also they serve as a good option for hanging sheet metal ducts and similar equipment within a commercial building. It is common for one end of the rod to be fixed to ceiling structure, then thread the other end into a fastener or clip. These clips or fasteners can then be used to hang ductwork, lighting fixtures, or other equipment.

Suspended Ceilings

There can’t be many commercial building projects, which don’t have a suspended ceiling as part of their key components. Often it’s the biggest single surface, and they make a huge difference to the look and acoustics of the property. So when it comes to the top fixings that support the ceiling their importance cannot be overstated. They play a vital safety role as there have been far too many ceiling collapses in the UK due to basic mistakes with installation and their subsequent use.

Ways to Reduce the Risks

It’s worth pointing out that even though we took every care when writing this blog post to try and be as accurate as possible we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Most problems are caused by not using the correct bars/rods for the job or perhaps using the right ones but just not enough of them or installing them badly by not following the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are not sure it is always best to employ a qualified tradesman to carry out the work. Sometimes the jobs are done well but simply too much weight is added after the installation. You’d be amazed how many daft people walk or crawl on ceilings that are just not designed for that use. Often it is simply using sub-standard rods though if you buy from Ironmongery Online that won’t be an issue. When deciding which type to buy you should consider factors such as the material the rods are made from, be that standard steel rods, aluminium, mild steel, high tensile steel, coarse or fine threaded rods etc. Are you going to be using them in or outdoors in dry or wet conditions and also temperature considerations? Brass or zinc studs can be a preferred option if the look of the finished work is important to you. You should also carefully consider the length and diameter of each rod being used. Although the rods can be cut to the right length it’s often much simpler if you can get the right length from the start. We suggest that you decide which threading will be best (coarse or fine) as heavy weights are normally done via coarse rods whereas the finer threads are often used for more delicate work.

So the 5 Pro Tips

1) Take your time to research load/weight requirements 2) Use that information to quantify how many and what type of rods/bars you will need. There is a common saying “less is more” but when it comes to suspended ceilings and mezzanine floors we suggest more fixings is always better than too few. 3) What Studding Connectors and Chemical Anchors will you need? Double check you have the right ones for your bars. If you buy your rods/bars from us we can advise you on this. 4) If in doubt get a registered tradesman/specialist to do the installation for you. 5) Well tip five is obvious; buy your threaded rods and bars from Ironmongery Online.

Decking Ideas

So you are planning to have some decking and are looking for some ideas on how to lay decking or the subject in general. This article will help if you are planning to do the work yourself or hire a contractor to do the work for you.

Lets face it we could all do with some professional tips for decking ideas, especially on how to lay decking if attempting it for the first time. If you know how to lay decking or are confident that you can do it then that will certainly reduce the costs of the project considerably, however if you are looking for a particularly tricky installation due to the terrain or a very large project then maybe getting help might be the way forward.

Decking installation is a very specialist trade (done right) so if you are planning to hire someone it’s important to know the right questions to ask at the quotation stage so you know exactly what work they will be undertaking and what materials will be used. Otherwise you cannot possibly judge the quotes given to you on a like for like basis.

If you do hire someone make sure they are properly qualified, and or hold professional membership of a recognised association or institute.

Can they show evidence of previous completed work they have carried out?

How long is the expected “life” of the decking, and how long is the materials and work warranted for. It’s important if you are fitting the decking yourself to check carefully the materials you are using as to the life expectancy and ask the contractor if you are using one.

What chemical treatments have the materials been given and what does the manufacturer say about the product?

Legal Considerations (Planning & Building Regulations)

According to the government planning portal website you only need to apply for planning permission if the decking is more than 30cm above the ground and “together with other extensions, outbuildings etc, the decking or platforms covers more than 50 per cent of the garden area”.

In Wales the decking is considered an extension if it near to the house (within 5m) or an outbuilding if it’s further away. Rules are fairly similar to in England though stricter if the property is listed.

In Scotland decking is considered a “permitted development” so again you will be fine most of the time.

Our advice is always check and ask before going ahead because if you erect anything without the correct permissions you may face really stringent application of the rules if they find out later.

The authorities are generally tougher when it comes to “retrospective” applications and they often get people to remove the decking as a deterrent to others not to act without permission.

If planning permission is required for your decking then building regs will apply, so speak to your local building control department.

So remember this if you get offered some cheap decking boards as they may be too cheap to be true!

Decking Designs

Is it pleasing on the eye is often the overriding factor when choosing decking and although we’d argue for longevity, durability etc. you have to live with it and if it doesn't (in your opinion) look nice then you will not enjoy your decked area when it’s completed.

Consider also not just how it will look when brand new but how it will look when weathered in and is a few years old.

Is the wood going to look bleached after a while, worse still will it start cracking, warping or splitting.

Remember that with really good treatments softwood can last as long as a badly or untreated hardwood.

Consider long and hard the wear and tear your decking will have to cope with and the weight it’s going to have to support when choosing the timber and if in doubt ask an expert which to choose.

Read the Instructions

If all else fails read the instructions! Most men feel that reading instructions is an admission of defeat but when it comes to fitting your own decking you really do need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

They know the specifications that are required to ensure that their decking will perform as you’d expect so there is no point ignoring them and then being disappointed with the results. If the decking doesn't have a life expectancy that was promised it could be because you ignored the recommended way to construct and treat it.

The membrane you use is also critically important as using an inadequate one is like fitting expensive carpet with cheap underlay.

Decking Screws

Decking screws is something that Ironmongery Online knows a lot about so you could certainly ask us about this important aspect installing your decking.

There are many different types and here at ironmongery online we have an unbeatable track record of supplying the options and choices available.

We sell blister packs of just 20 decking screws or bulk in 1,000 x lots.

Our popular sellers currently are Forgefix Decking Screws and these come as 4.5mm in a variety of lengths, 75mm, 60mm, 55mm, 50mm, and come as the green Anti-Corrosion treated option.

The Forgefix brands we sell have an enhanced coarse single thread that was designed specifically for decking. They are amazingly hardened and specialist green treated and come with a “Pozidriv” head that means enhanced torque levels with a lower risk of cam out. (The Pozidiv screws are proven to be far better than normal Philips)

Our decking screws are uniquely engineered to allow the wood to expand or contract with seasonal temperature swings. This ingenious design means there is a greatly reduced risk of your boards splitting.

They are hardened and green treated for no-holds-barred durability no matter what the British weather can throw at them.

They also have really sharp points for easier/faster installation.

All of our timber and decking screws have been designed to make sure they end up flush and are resistant to rust and will not work themselves loose over the years.

We know that if you are going to be buying potentially hundreds, if not thousands of decking screws it will be an expense so it's important that you are sure what you need before just buying the first ones you see.

Please speak to our customer service representatives, they are not just ordinary call centre staff, they really have knowledge of the trade and will be able to answer your questions.

Decking Finish

In some instances your decking could be left to naturally weather over time but it is usually recommended to apply a good quality oil treatment to reduce warping, increase durability and enhance the look of the look of it.

Discover the many types available through our website and again check with the timber manufacturer which type of oil would be best for you.

Finally

NB: We offer this blog article merely as a guide and it cannot be taken as specific advice, you should ask a professional regarding your individual needs.

Once installed though decking can add so much to your garden and will potentially give you and your family a great outdoor space to enjoy. We wish you all the best with your decking ideas.

What are pulleys and why buy one?

When we buy something it’s either because we want or need the item. We buy emotionally if we want something and practically if we need it. With a pulley it fulfils a practical need and solves a problem.

Specifically the problem of how can you lift something safely and with minimum effort, repeatedly if needed?

Let’s deal with safety first, you will not wish to injure or strain yourself lifting items and in the days of no win no fee you certainly will not want your staff doing it either.

The mechanics of how a pulley works (which I’ll cover later in the post) means that it can be used repeatedly with less heavy lifting required by the user.

Lifting a weight with a pulley

A pulley is basically made up of, typically, 1, 2 or 4 wheels around which the rope or chain will be wrapped and it’s the science behind the way a pulley works that makes it easier to raise and or lower heavy objects.

The way the pulley operates means that your body strength can be multiplied by 2 or 4 times depending on how many wheels the pulley has.

How does a Pulley give you a lifting advantage?

With just one wheel you actually have no extra lifting advantage because if you want to lift a 20kg load up you will need to pull down on the rope/chain with an equal 20kg force using your own strength. The only real advantage of a single wheel pulley is that you will be pulling down on the rope and can therefore use your bodyweight to help and this is certainly easier than lifting the item up from the floor. This will also reduce the chances of back injuries and enable you to pick up awkward shaped items as long as they are connected to the pulley securely.

With a simple single wheel pulley, to lift something up 2 metres from the ground you will be required to pull down on the rope an equal 2 metres.

The pulley really starts to come into its own when you have a 2 or more wheel pulley, because with 2 wheels and the rope looped around them correctly you effectively halve the force (strength) you need to put into it to lift the same weight. So the 20kg weight mentioned above would now only require a downward force of 10kgs.

There is one slight draw back or trade off in this halving of the effective weight and that is you would now need to pull the rope down 4 meters to lift the object 2 metres.  So it’s a little bit like riding a push-bike up hill in a lower gear, it is easier to pedal but you have to do more revolutions.

The extra distance you need to pull the rope is because with two wheels even though you still have one one rope, the way its wrapped around the pulleys makes it like having two ropes that need to move two meters each.

The Science Bit

The technical term of how a pulley is advantageous is known as “Mechanical Advantage” and is an expression of the lifting “multiplier”. So as the mechanical advantage increases the effort needed reduces, though the distance you need to move the rope will increase by a proportionate amount.

So in an extreme example an 8 wheel pulley would only require an effort of 1kg to lift an 8kg weight.  It’s all about being efficient and using the pulley like a lever effect.

If you ever went on a see saw as a young child with your Dad you obviously wouldn't weigh nearly enough to be able to lift him up if you were both sitting equidistant from the centre of the see saw. However if your Dad was 4 times your weight and sat 4 times closer to the middle you would be able to see saw each other perfectly. You would be moving up and down 4 times as far as him and it’s the physics of force over distance that evens it out.

This is exactly the same as you pulling the rope four times as far with a four wheel pulley. (Anyway that’s enough science)

Check out our YouTube Video

We made a short promotional video about Pulleys to compliment this article.

Our Range of Pulleys

At Ironmongery Online we have an incredible range of pulley wheels and systems for you to choose from.

Whether you are making repairs around the home or installing building work to your business premises don’t take a chance on inferior products get top quality pulleys made using proven techniques.

Our products and our rapid delivery service have proved invaluable to our customers time and time again as our rating on the independent website trust pilot shows.

Take a step by step look our superb product range here.

Door Hinges – And How To Fit Them.

This post covers everything you ever needed to know about door hinges, from the history behind them, the types available and how to fit them.

From a historical perspective, door hinges have been found in archaeological sites of periods as far back as 5500 A.D. In fact, crude mechanical devices of stone and wood, resembling hinges have been found in excavation sites dating before the Bronze Age.

In the Medieval times, hinges were most commonly made of wrought iron, which progressed to brass and steel in the Victorian era. At present door hinges are primarily made of stainless steel because of their superior corrosion resistance.

In essence door hinges are mechanical bearings that connect a door to its frame. However not all types of hinges are suitable for every type of door.

Regardless of the metal or alloy used for manufacturing, currently there are twelve types of door hinges:-

1. Butt Hinges

These are the commonest type of hinges available because they have a wide range of use. From doors, both internal and external, to cupboards, casement windows etc. butt hinges are found practically everywhere.

Butt hinges are also known as Mortise hinges because of the need to mortise, or recess, the hinge in the wood before fixing them to the door and the door frame. Traditional butt hinges contain a shaft through the central spine connecting the two halves of the door hinge, but to increase the strength of the hinge, ball bearings can also be placed in the spine.

2. Security Butt Hinges

These are exclusively used when the hinge is placed externally, so as to prevent thieves from unscrewing the hinge and removing the door from its frame. In this type of a door hinge, when the door is closed, the two halves of the hinge interlock and prevent the door from opening even if the hinge pin is tampered with and removed.

3. Rising Butt Hinge

This is another modification of the traditional butt hinge. In this configuration, the two halves of the door hinge rotate either clockwise or anti-clockwise along the central spine depending upon whether the door is a push-type or pull-type.

Furthermore, the door is lifted up from the floor when it is opened, which removes the need for a wide gap between the door and the floor, unlike traditional doors.

4. Continuous Hinge

These hinges are also known as Piano hinges because they were traditionally used to secure the top of grand pianos. They are usually one metre in length, but can be reduced in size depending on the need.

The extended length of the continuous hinge allows them to provide more support at the hinge joint. But they cannot withstand heavy forces, which is why they are usually used in light-weight doors.

5. Barrel Hinge

These hinges are called so because the central spine is made of two hollow cylindrical pivots. The pivots have rod-like extensions on them that is drilled and screwed into the door and the frame. They are used in places which sustain heavy foot-traffic because they are very sturdy.

6. Flag Hinge

These hinges are used for doors that rotate 360 degrees. Available in either right-handed or left-handed configuration, the hinges are very strong and can withstand heavy use. They are also made of corrosion resistant alloys because they are commonly used as external doors.

7. Concealed Hinge

This is a type of hinge most commonly used in kitchen cabinets and drawers in modular kitchens as they are not visible externally. The only requirement is a large (usually 35 mm) diameter hole in the wood for fixing the body of the hinge.

8. Tee Hinge

They are shaped like a tee, with a wide triangular part for the door and a thin, narrow and rectangular part for the frame. They are most commonly seen in timber sheds. But they offer very little security as they can be easily unscrewed. See T Hinges here.

9. Double Action Hinge

This type of hinge is called so because they can be opened in either direction. They are strong and sturdy, and are good for heavy doors. They are most commonly used in the commercial set-up.

10. Butterfly Hinge

They are called so because of their design. In fact, butterfly hinges can be very pretty as the connecting halves are usually made in various intricate patterns. They are often used on light-weight doors, especially jewellery boxes.

11. Flush Hinge

These hinges do not require a recess to be cut into the wood of the door and the frame, unlike butt hinges. They are easy to fix, and are used on light-weight doors.

12. Friction Hinge

These hinges are placed on windows that are double glazed with uPVC. And have the advantage of not needing to be secured when open. The only problem is that manufacturers of these windows make them suitable for only certain types of friction hinges, thus making it a little difficult to replace the hinge.

See Infographic below for all the main types we stock

How to fit a Door Hinge

Butt hinges are the commonest hinges, therefore, the following step-by-step guide is for easy installation of these hinges on any door of your choice:-

1. Place the hinge plates on appropriate locations on the door and the door frame, and mark the outline with a pencil. Most light-weight doors require two hinges, one at the top and the other near the bottom. Heavy doors will require a third hinge midway between these two.

Tip: Make sure the hinge plates lines up exactly on the door and the frame.

2. Measure the thickness of the hinge plate and use a box-cutter to score the outline till the appropriate depth.

3. Remove the wood within the outline to create the recess. Smooth the floor of the recess for a better fit of the hinge plate.

4. Next, place the hinge plate in the recess and mark the location of the screws. Then drill these locations to create the pilot holes.

5. Use a screwdriver to fix the hinge plates to the door and the door frame.

Tip 1: Make sure the arm of the hinge is at 90 degrees to the door. Tip 2: Do not adjust the screws unnecessarily because it may make it difficult to secure the screws.

6. Line up the door to the frame. Use some support for ease of installation. And then connect the two halves of the hinge before sliding in the shaft.

7. Test the door to see if it is working appropriately and oil the parts regularly.

Door hinges can last a lifetime if the right hinge is chosen for the job and fitted correctly.

At Ironmongery Online we have been supplying top quality door hinges of all types and sizes at unbeatable prices for over 50 years. We have a wealth of experience so please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions before purchasing your hinges.

Please see our range of hinges here, or call our Sales Team (the phone number is at the top of the page).

Remember we are currently offering FREE Next Day Delivery on all orders over £45.

GATE HINGES

At Ironmongery Online we have a vast range of gate hinges and offer unbeatable value for money. We have spectacular savings on Gate Hinges and Gate Hardware, so whatever type of Gate Hinge you are looking for, whether for wooden or non-wooden gates, then we almost certainly have what you require.

Cranked Hook and Band Hinge

This article on gate hinges offers an insight into the different type’s available, when you should consider them, the pros and cons of some of the types of hinge and some useful tips for fitting whichever ones you ultimately choose.

Types of Gate Hinge

So the main types of gates people require hinges for are standard size garden gates for people to walk through or driveway gates which allow vehicle access. We also sell gate hinges used for agricultural purposes known as fieldgate hinges.

To go with your new gate hinges if you require other items of gate hardware such as gate locks, gate latches (or catches) gate bands, throw over loops, gate wheels, brackets, fasteners, weather bars, gate stops, gate eyes and eye bolts then we can help with those items also.

Gates are pretty much taken for granted until you have problem with one, most houses with some sort of garden or outdoor area to the property will either have or need one. So if you are looking to fit a new gate or update an existing one give some thought to the following.

Do you require self-closing gate hinges or just standard? Also what strength and what material do you want the hinges made from? Galvanised or Stainless gate hinges are popular as the UK weather can throw a lot at your gates and test it’s durability over the years even if the gate doesn't get much actual use.

T Hinges are popular and is your gate required to “swing both ways”? If so then heavy reversible hinges for wooden gates maybe what you require. We sell all sorts of shapes and sizes with 12 inch to 48 inch plates being very popular choices.

Security Considerations

With crime on the increase having a good solid well hung gate is very important. It goes without saying but if the gate isn’t hung well then the gate itself could be stolen. A possible helpful tip for you is when you hang the gate, fit the bottom one as you normally would but on the top one fit the pin upside down.

The top one is merely being used as a lever to pull the gate up at the top towards the post, it’s the bottom one that takes all the weight.

Gate Hardware

There are a variety of hinges available for use and lots of Gate Hardware is available through our main website. Common options to choose from include strap, tee or T Hinges, weld-on, and spring hinges, so that it should be fairly straightforward to find the best style to suit your needs. Hinges can be produced in a few different metals, with brass and stainless steel and galvanised being examples of this.
Anyone interested in maintaining an existing entryway or installing a new one has the choice of the following gate hardware.

Hinges for side gates, heavy duty gate hinges, adjustable gate hinges, field gate hinges, rising gate hinges, farm gate hinges.

Gate Handles

There are a few different handle styles that can be used. A pull handle is one of the most common and this comes in bar and ring styles. These can be used simply for opening and closing or can be combined with a thumb or turn latch to provide a way to secure the gate in place when it is closed. A lever turn handle is another option and these also include a latch for secure closing

Gate Catches and Latches

Gate Catch and Latch

Installing a slide bolt on the inside of a gate is a way of providing some additional security. These are typically made of metal and can be simple in style or more decorative. In the case of a double gate, a cane bolt can be used to hold one side securely shut. This is fitted in place and drops into a sleeve in the ground to hold the gate in place when closed.

A small opening can be a useful feature on taller gates that cannot be seen over. The traditional name for this is a speakeasy and fitting a metal grille across the opening is a way to provide it with some cover. These can be a simple flat bar style although more ornamental finishes are also available to provide an attractive touch.

Closers

A closer is a way of making sure a gate shuts properly every time even if this is not done manually. Spring closers can be used for smaller, lighter gates, while hydraulic units are more suitable for a heavy gate.

Gate Wheels

Wheels are typically attached to the unhinged end of larger gates to provide some support and also make it easier to open and close them.

Fitting the Gate

DIY or trusty tradesman?

Hanging a gate is a job that many home-owners will be capable of undertaking themselves. Driveway gate hinges, and even large and heavy gate hinges can be tackled if you have the right tools and expertise for the job. Often though with the bigger gates you might be better off with some help as occasionally you will feel like you need three hands rather than just two!

The gate hardware discussed in this blog post includes what you will need to complete the job, so choose a simple style for a plainer look or opt for more decorative pieces to provide an attractive finish.

Browse through the IronmongeryOnline website and by all means ring the sales team if you have any questions as they are very knowledgeable.

Whatever your requirements view our range here at ironmongeryonline we offer the practical or decorative options.

Fed up with doors that slam or swing open?  Maybe you live with a stroppy teenager, or have door in a busy corridor? Then if so "Spring Hinges" are what you need.

But what type, size, strength of spring hinge do you need? When it comes to Spring Hinges you have so many options and choices to sift through, and this article is designed to help you come to a decision as to which type would best suit your needs.

So start with the problem and ask yourself what are you aiming to achieve? Depending on what you are looking to buy a spring hinge for, maybe for internal doors, fire doors, gates, kitchen cabinets, or heavy duty spring hinges there is a hinge that will meet your requirements.

Spring Hinge

There are quite a number of springs used nowadays of varying quality and design and although fashions change over time spring hinges from ironmongeryonline are the most up-to-date on the market today.

We offer unbeatable quality at affordable prices with cutting edge design. That's not to say we don't have some of the classics among our range so if you are looking for something more traditional we have the most popular types in stock also.

Spring Hinges - What are they?

Just as the name suggests, these hinges have a spring mechanism. This allows the door to return to its original position in the frame and fit snugly after being opened. When choosing this kind of hinge, it is prudent to think of the following factors:

Safe Return

Hinges that allow a door to spring back come in various shapes, brands, colours and designs. In addition, each will be most suited for a particular application. Nonetheless, it is advisable to go for a hinge that allows the door to return back at the right speed. Give some thought as to how fast (or slowly) you want the door to close. Are children or small pets going to be in the vicinity, if so you won't want a big heavy door closing at great speed. Springing back at high speed or to slow a speed will cause problems and the door may bang into other objects such as furniture causing damage.

What's the Main Aim?

Choosing a good spring goes beyond the springing back action, it should also take into account the task at hand. Generally, the springs come in two forms: one direction and both direction. One direction hinges as the name suggests only operate in one direction. These are suitable in areas with limited spaces. Two direction hinges commonly found in swinging doors can open in both directions. They are quite effective in areas with high traffic in public buildings in busy passageways. This is where you will need the more heavy duty type of spring hinge. The weight of the door or gate will be one of the overriding factors as it stands to reason that a kitchen cabinet isn't going to need a hinge suitable for a farmers five bar gate.

Easy To Adjust

People go for spring hinges simply because the door will close after being opened without the need for human intervention. However, the speed at which the door closes will vary from one brand to another, so by all means phone us for help and advice if you need it. Our Sales Team can be reached on 0121 379 8020 and our opening hours for telephone enquiries are Monday to Friday 8.00 am - 5.00 pm.

Some spring hinges can be adjusted so you can exert more or less force on the door to suit your requirements and we have produced a short instructional video which you can view below.

See our YouTube video here.

The type of spring tension will influence the kind of experience a user will have. Furthermore, it will determine the safety of the door. A good device should allow easy opening and closing. Installing the hinge should be simple and straightforward. The hinge should also require minimal maintenance. Finally, it should enhance the aesthetic appeal of the door as well as the surrounding. All these factors go a long way in enhancing user-satisfaction.

The idea behind a hinge that springs back is to make opening and closing the door easy. You don’t have to worry about the door slamming against an object or person. Also, you will use less effort to open the door. Such advantages can only be realised if the right type of spring hinges are used. This basically takes into account the factors mentioned above.

See Our Full Range of Hinges

Please make sure you check out our full range of hinges and remember at Ironmongery Online we have incredible prices and FREE next day delivery.