Concealed Hinges Suitable for IKEA Faktum

Concealed hinges suitable for the IKEA Faktum system generally require a cup diameter of 35 mm and a mounting plate that is compatible with the cabinet carcass 32 mm hole spacing.

Anyone looking to maintain or renovate an older kitchen often searches for suitable fittings to replace those in an IKEA Faktum setup. Because this kitchen system is no longer manufactured, understanding the technical specifications is essential for finding compatible replacement hardware. Replacement is straightforward provided the hole pattern dimensions and the hinge design match.

Technical Requirements: When Is a Hinge Compatible with IKEA Faktum?

To replace a faulty hinge, the recesses in the door and the drill holes in the carcass must match the new fittings precisely. A matching hinge fits into the existing hole pattern just like a precision-cut key into a lock.

The following dimensions are strictly required for compatibility:

• Cup diameter: The circular cup recess in the door standardly measures 35 mm in diameter for these models. Smaller 26 mm variants are not used here.
• Cup drilling distance: The two screw holes next to the hinge cup generally have a spacing of 45 mm or 52 mm from one another.
• Mounting plate and System 32: The cross mounting plate is secured to the inside of the cabinet. The carcass of Faktum kitchens uses the established System 32. This means the distance between the drilled holes in the side panel is exactly 32 mm.

Concealed Hinge Types: Overlay and Opening Angle

In addition to standard drilling dimensions, the position of the door relative to the cabinet carcass determines the required hinge crank. There are three basic mounting configurations:

1. Full overlay: When closed, the door rests almost completely over the side panel of the carcass. This is standard for single cabinets at the end of a run.
2. Half overlay: Two doors share a single side panel (centre partition). The door covers only half the edge so that the adjacent door also has room.
3. Inset: The door sits flush with the outer cabinet edges and rests inside the carcass between the side panels.

Another key criterion is the opening angle. Standard doors usually require hinges with an angle of 110°. For corner cabinets with carousels or wide pull-outs, wide-angle hinges with 155° or 165° are fitted instead.

If cabinets open upwards rather than sideways, traditional concealed hinges are not used. In this case, gas struts for heavy flaps are required, with their force in Newton (N) matched precisely to the weight of the MDF or chipboard front.

Compatible Replacement Parts and Features

Replacing hardware also offers the opportunity to upgrade the functionality of your furniture. A popular upgrade is fitting concealed hinges with soft-close dampers. A hydraulic cylinder integrated into the hinge arm slows the door down over the last few centimetres, closing it silently. Important for planning: soft-close must not be confused with tip-on (push-to-open). Both mechanisms work against each other and cannot be combined on the same hinge.

Old kitchen cabinets are often repurposed as storage in other living areas. If the carcasses are rearranged in the living room, they can be adapted visually and functionally using the right fittings, just like a classic sideboard for TV or a lowboard for TV. In the bedroom, tall cabinet units can also be converted into a sturdy wardrobe for 2 persons using new hinges.

If the cabinets remain in the kitchen, it is often worth reviewing their interior fittings while replacing hinges. A wet sink area can be upgraded with a dish drying rack for wall cabinet units directly above the sink. When redesigning worktop areas, installing a desk cable grommet in the kitchen worktop also ensures tidy cable routing for coffee machines and toasters.

Assembly and Installation: Fitting Concealed Hinges

Replacing concealed hinges as an alternative for IKEA Faktum requires only basic tools and a bit of precision.

Required tools:

• Cordless drill/driver
• Screwdriver with PZ drive (Pozidriv) or PH drive (Phillips)
• Folding rule

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Removal: Detach the old door by pressing the release lever on the mounting plate (for clip-on hinges) or by loosening the fixing screw. Unscrew the old cup from the door and the mounting plate from the carcass.
2. Securing the mounting plate: Place the new cross mounting plate into the existing 32 mm hole line of the carcass. Use suitable chipboard screws (typically 3.5 mm or 4 mm diameter).
3. Inserting the cup: Press the new hinge into the 35 mm recess in the door. Ensure it is aligned perfectly at right angles to the door edge before tightening the two side screws.
4. Hanging the door: Guide the hinge arm onto the mounting plate and press firmly until the clip mechanism clicks into place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I adjust concealed hinges?

Modern hinges feature 3D adjustment. Using the screws on the hinge arm, you can continuously adjust the door in height (± 2 mm), depth (distance from the carcass, ± 2 mm), and lateral overlay (gap alignment, ± 2 mm).

Can I retrofit soft-close dampers on old Faktum cabinets?

Yes. If you replace the hinges completely, choose models with integrated soft-close mechanisms. Alternatively, clip-on dampers can be retrofitted to many existing hinges, provided they match the geometry of the hinge arm.

How do I know whether I need a full overlay or half overlay hinge?

Measure the thickness of the carcass side panel (usually 16 mm or 18 mm). If the closed door covers nearly the entire edge, it is a full overlay. If the door shares the edge with an adjacent door, you need a half overlay hinge.