Cross Mounting Plates H0/H2 Compatible with Grass Tiomos & Salice Hinges

October 29, 2025

A cross mounting plate with an H0 distance keeps the hinge in the standard position for full overlay, whilst an H2 plate raises the hinge arm by 2 mm to adjust the gap clearance or door crank on twin overlay applications.

Introduction: The Geometry of Cabinet Making

The correct operation of a cabinet door depends not only on the concealed hinge itself, but crucially on the base to which it is secured. The mounting plate is the structural backbone of door kinematics. When designing cabinets, particularly when professional hardware systems such as Grass Tiomos or Salice are utilised, fitters often face the choice of the correct plate height. The most common variants are H0 (0 mm distance) and H2 (2 mm distance).

Choosing between these two plates directly influences the reveal, door overlay on the carcase side, and the opening geometry. The wrong spacing results in doors binding, uneven gap dimensions, or adjustment screws on the hinge arm being driven to their absolute limits.

What is an H0 Cross Mounting Plate?

The H0 designation indicates a distance of 0 mm. This means the base plate sits flat against the interior side of the carcase without artificially elevating the hinge arm. The cross design provides high stability because the fixing screws are arranged vertically in System 32 (32 mm hole spacing).

The H0 plate is the standard solution for full overlay doors. In this setup, the closed cabinet door covers nearly the entire front edge of the carcase side panel. Assuming standard carcase side thicknesses of 16 mm or 19 mm and using a concealed hinge with 110 degree opening angle, the H0 plate provides the precise geometry intended by the manufacturer for flush front coverage. Fine adjustment of the gap (usually 1.5 mm to 2 mm) is then carried out using the cam screw on the hinge arm.

What is an H2 Cross Mounting Plate?

The H2 plate features an integrated base that raises the entire hinge arm by exactly 2 mm away from the carcase panel. Visually it resembles the H0 plate, but it is built more substantially around the base area.

This extra height reduces the door overlay by 2 mm. This is technically essential when dealing with non-standard configurations. The classic application is the half overlay (also referred to as twin or centre partition mounting). Here, two doors hinge on a single central carcase partition. Because both doors must share the panel edge (e.g. 19 mm), each door can only overlay by roughly 8 mm to 9 mm. A dedicated half-overlay hinge combined with an H2 mounting plate ensures an adequate clearance gap between both doors, preventing them from colliding when opened simultaneously.

The Differences Between H0 and H2 in Detail

Comparing these two plate heights comes down to three key technical parameters:

Door Overlay (Gap Pattern): With the same cup drilling (typically 35 mm) and the same hinge, switching from H0 to H2 reduces the door overlay by exactly 2 mm. The door shifts further towards the centre of the carcase.
Mounting Type: H0 is engineered for full overlay. H2 is primarily used for half overlay or for inset doors (flush fronts) to compensate for door material thickness.
Material Thickness Compensation: If carcase side panels are thicker than standard dimensions (e.g. 22 mm instead of 19 mm), an H2 plate can be paired with a full-overlay hinge to decrease the lateral overhang of the door and stop it rubbing against an adjacent door.

When to Choose H0 vs H2

The decision is guided by the design drawings of the cabinet.

Choose H0 (0 mm) when:

You are building a classic individual carcase.
The front must achieve maximum coverage over the carcase side (full overlay).
You are working with standard chipboard panels of 16 mm or 18 mm thickness.
You are fitting specialised concealed hinges with 165 degree (wide-angle hinges) for corner cabinets where the manufacturer specifies a 0 mm distance.

Choose H2 (2 mm) when:

You are planning a continuous partition where doors are mounted on both sides (half overlay).
Doors are to be fitted flush internally (inset application) and the selected hinge requires a 2 mm build-up according to the manufacturer technical table.
You discover on an existing installation that the hinge depth adjustment is insufficient to close an overly wide gap. Swapping from H0 to H2 recovers 2 mm of adjustment travel.

Compatible Alternatives to Grass Tiomos and Salice

In professional cabinet construction, brands such as Grass Tiomos and Salice are widespread. These systems are distinguished by their specific clip-on mechanisms, allowing the hinge arm to snap onto the mounting plate without tools.

If you need to replace a damaged hinge or extend an existing arrangement, the hinge arm and mounting plate must share the identical clip profile. A Salice hinge cannot be clipped onto a Grass mounting plate.

If you are looking for replacement components or planning a complete new build, furnica provides compatible alternatives. Many of our hinges and mounting plates are engineered with matching geometry and hole patterns. The drill holes in the carcase side (distance from the front edge usually 37 mm, vertical hole spacing 32 mm) remain identical. This makes upgrading or replacing fittings straightforward without drilling new holes in the carcase.

Furthermore, these systems pair seamlessly with modern damping solutions. A concealed hinge with soft close ensures the door decelerates gently over the final few centimetres. Note: this damping mechanism operates hydraulically and is distinct from the push-to-open mechanisms found on push to open drawer runners.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Mounting Plates

Can I replace an H0 mounting plate with an H2 plate? Yes, provided the fixing method (e.g. Euro screws or wood screws) and the clip mechanism are identical. Keep in mind that this will reduce the door overlay by 2 mm, widening the gap to any adjacent door accordingly.

What hole spacing do cross mounting plates require? Most cross mounting plates for European fittings are based on System 32. The two fixing screws have a vertical spacing of 32 mm. The standard setback from the front carcase edge to the first line of holes is 37 mm.

Are Grass and Salice mounting plates interchangeable? No. Although both frequently use the same drilling pattern in the panel (37/32 mm), the clip interface geometry between the plate and the hinge arm differs fundamentally. You must always pair brand-compatible plates and hinges.

What is the best way to secure a mounting plate? For pre-drilled holes (5 mm diameter), use Euro screws. For un-drilled timber materials, use wood screws (usually 3.5 mm or 4 mm diameter) with a PZ (Pozidriv) drive.

Related Hardware in Cabinet Making

The accuracy required when choosing mounting plates applies across all furniture hardware components. If you are fitting drawers alongside cabinet doors, selecting the correct runner system is equally critical. For standard projects, classic drawer systems are ideal.

For workshop storage or heavy-duty kitchen pull-outs carrying substantial loads (e.g. 45 kg), a heavy duty drawer runner is required. Pay close attention to fitting dimensions and the required lateral installation clearance (often 12.7 mm per side) to ensure smooth operation, just as you calculate precise door reveals for concealed hinges.