Concealed Hinges Suitable for Mepla Kitchens

A concealed hinge is a hidden fitting with a standardised drilled cup in the door leaf that mounts to the cabinet carcass via a mounting plate, serving as a compatible replacement part for older kitchen systems.

Refurbishing older kitchens often requires replacing defective or worn-out hinges. When original hardware from a specific manufacturer is no longer produced, technical understanding is essential. A direct like-for-like replacement of the exact original component is rarely mandatory. Instead, modern hinges engineered to suit Mepla or other legacy systems can be fitted without difficulty, provided that the fundamental installation dimensions and hole patterns match.

This guide is designed for installers and experienced DIYers seeking a professional alternative to Mepla who want to restore the functionality of cupboard doors using contemporary hardware technology.

What to Look for Regarding Hinge Compatibility

To ensure a replacement hinge fits into existing drillings, three key technical parameters must be determined precisely: the cup diameter, the door overlay type, and the mounting plate hole pattern.

The Cup Diameter

The cup is the cylindrical section of the hinge that is recessed into the routed hole in the cupboard door. In modern furniture production, a standard dimension has become established. The cup diameter for kitchen cabinets is almost always 35 mm. Less commonly, typically on very narrow bathroom units or display cabinets, you will find a diameter of 26 mm. Measure the existing hole in the door carefully using a vernier calliper. A discrepancy of 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm usually indicates a measuring error, as these routings are standardised.

The Types of Overlay

The position of the closed door relative to the side panel of the carcass determines the required crank of the hinge arm. Three types are distinguished:

• Full overlay: When closed, the door rests almost completely over the carcass side. Only a narrow reveal (often 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm) remains to the adjacent unit. The hinge features a straight arm.
• Half overlay: Two doors share a single central carcass partition (twin doors). Each door covers only half of the panel edge. The hinge arm is slightly cranked.
• Inset: The door does not sit on the carcass front, but sits flush between the side panels. The hinge arm is deeply cranked.

Hole Pattern and System 32

The concealed hinge and the cruciform mounting plate work together like a plug and socket – if the hole spacings in the carcass match, the mechanism operates smoothly. Most European kitchen manufacturers build their carcasses according to System 32. This means the pre-drilled rows of holes in the side panels feature a vertical spacing of exactly 32 mm between centres. The distance from the front edge of the carcass to the centre of the first hole is typically 37 mm.

When searching for hardware compatible with Mepla, check the hole pattern of the old mounting plate. You can frequently reuse the existing 5 mm carcass drillings directly for the new cruciform mounting plate.

Suitable furnica Components for Kitchen Refurbishment

When replacing old hardware, it is an ideal opportunity to upgrade the kitchen technically. Simply replacing a functional unit can often be combined with an increase in convenience.

Retrofitting Hinges with Soft-Close

Older kitchen cupboards often close noisily because the doors are merely pulled shut by a spring. Modern hinges feature integrated damping, known as Soft-Close. This mechanism decelerates the door over its final centimetres, pulling it shut gently and silently. Take care not to confuse Soft-Close with Push-to-Open mechanisms. The latter pushes handleless doors open when pressed and requires hinges without automatic closing springs.

For standard kitchen doors, an opening angle of 110° is most commonly chosen. For specialist cupboards, such as corner units with carousels, you will require hinges with a wide opening angle of 155° or 165°, ensuring the door does not obstruct pull-out units.

Modernising Further Components During Repairs

If the door fronts are removed anyway, inspecting the rest of the cabinet fittings is worthwhile. Worn handles can be replaced with contemporary kitchen furniture handles. Pay attention to the exact drilling centres, which also frequently correspond to multiples of 32 mm (e.g. 96 mm, 128 mm, or 160 mm).

For wall units with lift-up flaps that no longer remain open on their own, the issue is not the hinge, but the stay mechanism. Here, new gas struts for heavy flaps provide a solution. The force of these cylinders is measured in Newtons (N). A replacement requires cylinders with an identical stroke and matching N-rating based on the flap weight. Above the sink, a dish drying rack for wall units can also extend the functionality of the existing carcass.

Base units can likewise be optimised during a refurbishment. If old roller runners are sticking, installing modern kitchen cabinet drawer runners provides a sturdy solution. A full extension runner allows complete access to the cabinet interior, which is particularly advantageous for wide elements such as a 60 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out. To keep the interior of new drawers structured, a tailored kitchen drawer organiser is recommended.

Installation and Retrofitting of New Hinges

Installing replacement hinges is a precise yet well-standardised process. When fitting an alternative to Mepla, the method of securing the hinge arm to the plate often changes: older systems were frequently slide-on and screwed, whereas modern fittings utilise tool-free clip-on mounting.

Required Tools

• Cordless screwdriver or screwdriver (Pozidriv PZ2 drive)
• Vernier calliper or folding rule
• Set square
• Optional: Forstner bit (35 mm) and wood drill bit (5 mm), should new holes need to be made.

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Removal: Detach the old cupboard door. Remove the defective hinge from the door leaf and unscrew the old mounting plate from the carcass.
2. Checking dimensions: Verify that the new 35 mm cup fits snugly into the existing routed hole without forcing it.
3. Securing the hinge cup: Insert the new hinge into the door. Align it at an exact 90° angle to the door edge using a square. Secure it with suitable chipboard screws (typically 3.5 x 15 mm or 4 x 16 mm).
4. Positioning the mounting plate: Screw the new cruciform mounting plate into the existing 5 mm system holes on the carcass panel using dedicated Euro screws.
5. Hanging the door: Guide the hinge towards the mounting plate and press until the clip mechanism engages with an audible click.

Adjusting the Hinge

Following installation, the door reveals must be adjusted. Modern concealed hinges offer 3D adjustment via three adjustment screws on the hinge arm:

• Depth adjustment: Moves the door closer to or further from the carcass. Crucial for setting the gap correctly for the soft-close action (typically a 1.5 mm clearance to the carcass front edge).
• Lateral adjustment: Alters the reveal between doors or to the side panel. This fine-tunes the full overlay or half overlay.
• Height adjustment: Carried out directly on the cruciform mounting plate to align the door vertically.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I replace old hinges with soft-close models? Yes. As long as the cup diameter (typically 35 mm) and the overlay type match, you can easily install a hinge with integrated Soft-Close. The hole pattern of the mounting plate must correspond to System 32 or be newly drilled.

What does a 110° opening angle mean? The opening angle indicates how far the cabinet door can swing open at maximum. 110° is the standard dimension for normal kitchen base and wall cabinets. It allows comfortable access without the door colliding with adjacent furniture.

How do I measure the cup diameter correctly? Use a vernier calliper to measure the internal diameter of the circular routed recess in the door leaf. In the vast majority of cases, this measurement will be exactly 35 mm. Avoid measuring the old metal hinge itself, as it may be deformed from wear.

Can I combine an existing Mepla cruciform mounting plate with a new hinge? Generally not. The clip-on and slide-on mechanisms between the hinge arm and mounting plate are manufacturer-specific. When carrying out a repair, always replace the entire set comprising the concealed hinge and mounting plate.