Cranking on Concealed Hinges: Definition & Differences Between Full Overlay, Half Overlay and Inset Doors
Cranking refers to the bend or offset in the hinge arm of a concealed cup hinge. It determines how far the cabinet door overlays the cabinet side panel. There are three main mounting types: with a full overlay, the door covers the panel completely; with a half overlay, it covers half; and with an inset mounting, the door sits flush inside the cabinet carcass.
What exactly is hinge cranking on a concealed hinge?
In cabinet making, cranking is the decisive structural feature of a hinge used to control the position of the door in relation to the cabinet carcass. The term describes the physical bend or offset in the metal arm of the hinge. The more pronounced this bend is, the further inwards the door moves when closed.
Cranking works much like steering geometry on a car – it precisely defines the radius described by the door during opening, ensuring it does not collide with adjacent fronts or become blocked. On standard concealed hinges / cabinet hinges, this offset is used to achieve completely different cabinet designs using the exact same drilling pattern (typically for 35 mm concealed hinges).
The three mounting types in detail
Selecting the correct hinge cranking depends directly on the cabinet construction. Fitters and joiners distinguish between three fundamental situations:
1. Full overlay (Standard overlay door)
With a full overlay, the door sits flush with the outer edge of the carcass side. The cabinet door covers almost the entire front edge of the side panel when closed (minus a minimal gap for the reveal).
- Cranking: 0 mm (the hinge arm is straight).
- Application area: Standalone cabinets or the outer doors of a cabinet run.
- Suitable category: Full overlay concealed hinges
2. Half overlay (Twin overlay / dual mounting)
A half overlay is used when two doors are mounted to a single central divider panel of the carcass. To provide space for both doors and avoid blocking each other during opening, each door may cover only half of the front edge of the partition wall.
- Cranking: approx. 9.5 mm (the hinge arm is slightly cranked).
- Application area: Adjoining cabinet units with shared intermediate partitions, typical for large wardrobes or runs of kitchen units.
- Suitable category: Half overlay concealed hinges
3. Inset mounting (Inset door)
With an inset mounting, the door does not sit on top of the carcass side, but is recessed inside the cabinet frame. The front edges of the cabinet carcass remain fully visible when the door is closed.
- Cranking: approx. 16 mm (the hinge arm is heavily cranked).
- Application area: Display cabinets, designer furniture, or units with prominent, thick side panels.
- Suitable category: Inset concealed hinges as well as concealed hinges for inset doors
Dimensions, opening angles and technology
Alongside the cranking, the opening angle defines the functionality of the door. For standard cabinet doors, 110-degree concealed hinges / cabinet hinges are typically used. However, if there are internal pull-outs or drawers behind the door, the door must swing clear of the opening. In this case, specialists use wide-angle hinges, such as 155-degree concealed hinges / cabinet hinges or 165-degree concealed hinges / cabinet hinges. For special corner solutions or angled cabinets, angled hinges are also available, such as 90-degree concealed hinges / cabinet hinges.
For silent closing, integrated soft-close damping is used. Modern fittings have this mechanism concealed invisibly inside the hinge arm or hinge cup. Such soft-close concealed hinges / cabinet hinges cushion the movement of the door and pull it gently shut.
Installation and adjustment
Installation is usually carried out using clip-on technology onto a cruciform mounting plate. The plate is screwed to the interior side panel of the cabinet, and the hinge is clipped on without tools. The reveal gap can then be precisely aligned using three adjustment screws on the hinge arm:
- Depth adjustment: Gap between the door and carcass.
- Lateral adjustment: Aligning the door to the left or right.
- Height adjustment: Aligning the door upwards or downwards (usually via the mounting plate).
Related terms
- Cup hole: The blind hole drilled into the cabinet door to accept the hinge cup (standard diameter 35 mm, depth usually 11.5 mm).
- Cruciform mounting plate: The counterpart to the hinge that is secured to the inside of the cabinet carcass.
- Soft-close: A hydraulic or pneumatic damper that cushions and prevents the slamming of the door.