Concealed Hinges for Inset & Twin Overlay Applications: Replacements for Nobilia Kitchen Cabinets

November 26, 2025

An inset concealed hinge positions the cabinet door flush inside the carcass, whereas a twin overlay hinge is used when two doors share a single central partition panel.

When Is It Time to Replace Kitchen Hinges?

During the repair or modernisation of fitted kitchens, such as models from Nobilia, replacing fittings is a routine task. Over the years, mechanical joints wear out under continuous load, causing doors to sag or fail to close flush. Often, the desire for a technical upgrade is the main reason, such as retrofitting to a concealed hinge with integrated soft-close damping.

Because kitchen manufacturers generally use standardised hardware systems, replacing them across different brands is straightforward, provided technical parameters such as cup diameter, drilling pattern, and application type match exactly. The most common mistake when selecting compatible replacement parts for kitchen cabinets is confusing the mounting overlay types.

What Is an Inset Concealed Hinge?

The inset application is used when the cabinet door does not rest on the front edges of the carcass side panels, but is fitted entirely between them (inset). When closed, the front edge of the carcass side panel remains completely visible.

To prevent the door from catching on the inside of the carcass wall during opening, the hinge arm features a very pronounced crank. The arm is bent sharply upwards. This geometry allows the door to pivot sufficiently inward during opening to maintain the necessary clearance from the side wall. Typical applications for concealed hinges for inset doors include display cabinets, bespoke designer kitchen units, or constructions where the carcass frame is highlighted as a visual feature.

What Is a Twin Overlay Concealed Hinge?

The twin overlay (also referred to technically as half overlay or dual mounting) is strictly required when two cabinet doors are mounted to a single, central carcass dividing panel. Since a standard side panel in kitchen cabinets is usually 16 mm or 19 mm thick, each of the two doors has only half the panel thickness available as an overlay surface (minus the required reveal gap).

A hinge for twin overlay applications features a medium (half) crank. The hinge arm is slightly curved. This design ensures that the door overlays only about half of the front edge of the central partition. This leaves sufficient space for the second door mounted on the opposite side of the same partition panel. Without using suitable concealed hinges for twin overlay, the two doors would inevitably collide when opening and closing.

Technical Differences at a Glance

To make the right choice when repairing a kitchen cabinet, it is essential to understand the mechanical differences between the two types. The hinge arm acts like a human elbow – the further the door needs to sit within the carcass, the more angled the joint must be.

The key distinguishing features:

Cranking of the hinge arm: In an inset application, the arm is heavily cranked (usually raised by 15 mm to 17 mm). In a twin overlay application, the arm is half-cranked (curved by approx. 9 mm).
Door position: With an inset application, the door sits flush between the side walls. With a twin overlay, the door covers half of the central partition edge.
Carcass edge visibility: With an inset application, the front edge of the side wall remains fully visible. With a twin overlay, the edge of the partition is almost entirely concealed by both doors (except for the central reveal gap).
Mounting plate drilling position: While the drilling pattern in the door leaf (the 35 mm cup) remains identical, different spacing distances are often required for the mounting plate inside the carcass to achieve the desired reveal gap.

Which Hinge for Which Scenario?

The choice between different concealed hinges / cabinet hinges depends entirely on the design of the existing piece of furniture.

Choose an inset hinge if:

The old door was recessed flush inside the carcass.
The front edges of the cabinet carcass are visible when the door is closed.
It is a single compartment where the door is not meant to overlay the front edge.

Choose a twin overlay hinge if:

Your kitchen cabinet features a continuous central partition wall.
A door is mounted to both the left and right sides of this partition wall.
The doors must share the 16 mm or 19 mm thick edge.

(Note: If the door rests fully on the outer side wall of the cabinet and completely covers its front edge, you require a full overlay hinge. This is the most common standard configuration for simple base units).

Compatible Alternatives for Nobilia Kitchen Cabinets

Nobilia kitchens use industry-standard dimensions, making the replacement of worn fittings uncomplicated. It is not strictly necessary to source parts from the original hardware supplier, provided the geometry and drilling dimensions match.

Checking Dimensions and Drilling Patterns

To find a compatible replacement hinge, measure the following technical parameters on the old fitting:

Cup diameter: The standard for Nobilia and virtually all modern kitchen cabinets is exactly 35 mm. Measure the diameter of the round recess drilled into the cabinet door.
Cup drilling pattern: This refers to the distance between the two small fixing screws beside the 35 mm cup. Common hole centres are 45 mm, 48 mm, or 52 mm.
Opening angle: Standard cabinet doors generally use concealed hinges / cabinet hinges 110 degrees. If the unit is located in a corner or contains internal drawers, wide-angle hinges such as concealed hinges / cabinet hinges 155 degrees were often fitted at the factory. The replacement must provide the same opening angle to prevent collisions with neighbouring fronts.
Mounting plate: Nobilia cabinets are manufactured according to the System 32 standard. The line of holes drilled in the carcass has a spacing of 32 mm apart and sits 37 mm back from the front edge. The cruciform mounting plate of the new hinge must be designed for this system.

Upgrading to Soft-Close

Older kitchens frequently feature hinges without integrated soft-close mechanisms. Replacing them offers the perfect opportunity for a technical upgrade. Concealed hinges / cabinet hinges with damping (soft close) catch the door just before closing and pull it shut gently and silently against the carcass. In modern fittings, the damping cylinder is integrated directly within the hinge arm. The installation and drilling dimensions do not differ from unsprung or non-damped versions, allowing for a straightforward 1:1 replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How can I be completely certain whether I need a twin overlay hinge? Open the cabinet door and inspect the panel where the hinge is mounted. If another door with hinges is mounted directly opposite on the other side of that same panel (in the adjacent compartment), it is a central partition. In this case, both doors require twin / half overlay hinges.

What cup diameter do hinges in Nobilia kitchens have? Nobilia uses a 35 mm cup diameter for standard hinges. Very small flaps or specialised top units may, in rare exceptions, use 26 mm cups. Always measure the recess in the door leaf before purchasing replacement fittings.

Can I keep the old cruciform mounting plate inside the carcass when replacing hinges? From a technical perspective, this is not recommended. Even if the new hinge appears to clip onto the old plate at first glance, minimal variations in plate thickness or the latching mechanism can result in an unstable fit. Always replace the concealed hinge as a complete set, including the matching cruciform mounting plate.

How do I adjust the new hinge correctly after installation? Modern concealed hinges feature 3D adjustment. Using the adjustment screws on the hinge arm, the door can be aligned in height (usually via the slotted holes on the mounting plate), in depth (distance from the carcass), and in overlay (lateral shift for the reveal gap) by approximately 1.5 mm to 2 mm in each direction.

Related Kitchen Modernisation Projects

When overhauling your kitchen hinges, it is often worthwhile to check the internal drawer components as well. Stiff or damaged runner mechanisms can also be replaced according to standard dimensions. Those looking to make deeper base units more ergonomic can replace fixed shelves with retrofitted kitchen cabinet pull-outs. Here too, precise measurement of the internal carcass width and available carcass depth is essential for selecting matching replacement fittings.