Full Overlay, Half Overlay or Inset? Concealed Hinge Types Compared

November 3, 2025

A full overlay hinge completely covers the cabinet carcase edge, a half overlay hinge shares a centre panel with an adjacent door, and an inset hinge places the door flush inside the carcase opening.

Introduction: The Geometry of Cabinet Making

When building or repairing cabinet carcases, the exact positioning of the front panels dictates both function and visual reveal alignment. The concealed cup hinge is the technical standard for this purpose. It connects the door invisibly to the cabinet side while guiding its opening and closing motion.

A common error when planning or replacing hinges is selecting the incorrect mounting type. The geometry of the hinge arm, technically termed crank, determines how the door sits relative to the cabinet carcase when closed. Choosing the wrong component means the door will either fail to close or collide with neighbouring fronts. A hinge without the precisely calculated crank is like a wheel with the wrong bolt circle – it simply cannot be installed properly, no matter how much force is applied.

This guide explains the technical differences between the three main overlay types and provides the essential parameters for correct selection.

Key Buying Criteria for Cabinet Hinges

Before defining the overlay type, the fundamental technical dimensions of the system must be established. Compatibility depends on the following factors:

Cup diameter: The standard drill hole diameter in the cabinet door is 35 mm. For very narrow frame profiles or small flaps, special sizes of 26 mm exist. However, 35 mm cup hinges cover the vast majority of applications.
Opening angle: A standard concealed hinge typically opens to 110° or 95°. For cabinets featuring internal drawers, wide-angle hinges with 155° or 165° are strictly required so that the door swings completely clear of the pull-out area.
Closing mechanism: Modern fittings feature integrated damping within the hinge arm. This soft-close technology cushions the door just before closing and pulls it shut silently.
Mounting plate: The counterpart fixed to the carcase is usually a cruciform mounting plate. Fixing is generally carried out via the System 32 pattern, a standardised row of holes with a 32 mm drilling distance and a 37 mm setback from the front edge.

Overview of Types and Options: The Three Overlay Configurations

The choice between full overlay, half overlay, and inset hinges depends entirely on the cabinet construction and the position of the door relative to the carcase side.

1. Full Overlay (Overlay Door)

With a full overlay, the closed door rests directly over the front edge of the cabinet side panel. It conceals the edge almost entirely, leaving only a minimal reveal gap for clearance.

Crank: The hinge arm is straight (0 mm crank).
Application: Classic standalone cabinets or the outer doors of a multi-unit run.
Category tip: For this standard construction, you require full overlay concealed hinges.

2. Half Overlay (Twin / Dual Mounting)

A half overlay is used when two doors are mounted to a single shared partition wall. Because the panel thickness (typically 16 mm or 19 mm) must be shared between two doors, each door only covers half of the edge.

Crank: The hinge arm features a slight offset (typically 9.5 mm crank).
Application: Adjoining cabinet modules and continuous wardrobes with central dividing panels.
Category tip: For these setups, select half overlay concealed hinges.

3. Inset (Embedded Door)

With an inset installation, the door does not sit on top of the carcase edge, but sits flush inside the cabinet opening. The front edges of the carcase remain completely visible when the door is closed.

Crank: The hinge arm has a pronounced bend (typically 16 mm crank).
Application: Design-led furniture, display cabinets, or units where the carcase thickness is emphasised as a visual feature.
Category tip: For this flush appearance, inset concealed hinges or inset door hinges are designed specifically.

Which Hinge for Which Application? (Decision Guide)

Hinge selection follows strict technical logic based on the position of the door panel:

If you are building a freestanding cabinet with a single left and right door, then choose a full overlay hinge.
If you are planning a cabinet run where two doors share a 19 mm partition wall, then you require a half overlay hinge. This ensures a clean gap of approximately 3 mm to 4 mm between the fronts.
If the door front must sit flush inside the carcase opening with the outer frame fully visible, then an inset hinge is the correct choice.
If you are installing corner units or specific angled carcases, use special angle hinges. For angled cabinets, 45 degree concealed cabinet hinges are suitable. For blind corner applications in kitchen units, 90 degree concealed cabinet hinges are frequently used.

Installation Advice for Fitters and Joiners

The correct operation of a hinge depends entirely on precision during preparation and assembly.

1. Drilling the Cup Hole

Drilling the blind hole into the door panel strictly requires a Forstner bit. For a standard fitting, the drilling depth is typically 11.5 mm to 12.5 mm. Always check the door thickness (typically 16 mm to 22 mm) to prevent drilling through the front face.

2. Observing the C Dimension (Drilling Distance)

The cup distance, also known as the C dimension, defines the distance from the edge of the cup hole to the outer edge of the cabinet door. On most systems, this value ranges between 3 mm and 6 mm. A larger C dimension reduces the side reveal gap when opening the door.

3. Three-Dimensional Adjustment

High-grade fittings allow precise adjustment of reveals after installation:

Depth adjustment: Regulated via an eccentric screw or slotted hole on the hinge arm to adjust the door distance to the carcase (essential for proper damping action).
Lateral adjustment: Adjusts the side gap between the door and the carcase side.
Height adjustment: Carried out directly on the mounting plate to align the front vertically.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I identify which hinge type I need to replace? Lay the old hinge flat on a table. If the hinge arm is completely straight, it is a full overlay hinge. If the arm has a slight step, it is a half overlay hinge. A pronounced, almost U-shaped bend indicates an inset hinge.

When is a 165-degree hinge necessary? An opening angle of 165° is required when internal pull-outs or drawers are fitted behind the door. The wide angle swings the door completely clear of the internal opening, preventing drawer sides from scraping against the door interior. Suitable hardware is found under 165 degree concealed cabinet hinges.

Can hinges be retrofitted with soft-close? Yes, on many established systems, add-on dampers can be clipped directly onto the hinge arm. However, the technically cleaner and more durable solution is full replacement with soft-close concealed hinges, where the hydraulic mechanism is integrated directly inside the hinge cup.

What is the difference between a 110-degree and a 90-degree hinge? A standard hinge for regular doors opens slightly beyond a right angle, typically to 110°. A 90-degree hinge is generally used for specific corner constructions (blind corners), where the door must sit at a right angle to a fixed blanking panel. Standard requirements are met by 110 degree concealed cabinet hinges.

Can I use one cruciform mounting plate for all overlay types? The basic design of the plate remains consistent; the decisive factor is the plate height (spacing). Full overlay and half overlay hinges often use a 0 mm plate height, whereas inset installations may require taller plates depending on the exact build. Always check the manufacturer technical charts for gap calculations prior to installation.

Suitable Products & Categories for Your Project

Exact coordination between door, carcase, and fitting is essential for durable cabinetry. Select the fitting category tailored to your technical requirements:

Overview of all standard and specialist hardware: Concealed cabinet hinges
For classic surface-mounted doors: Full overlay concealed hinges
For shared partition panels: Half overlay concealed hinges
For flush-fitting inset fronts: Inset concealed hinges
Standard opening angle for general cabinetry: 110 degree concealed cabinet hinges
For smooth, silent operation: Soft-close concealed cabinet hinges