Hinge Replacement for Mepla & Alno Kitchens — Compatible Concealed Hinges (32 mm Hole Pattern)

Learn how to replace discontinued Mepla hinges in Alno kitchens using standard 35 mm concealed hinges and System 32 mounting plates for a perfect fit.

A defective Mepla hinge in an Alno kitchen can be replaced with a standardised concealed hinge, provided the 35 mm cup diameter and the System 32 hole pattern match.

Hinge Replacement in the Kitchen: When an Exchange Is Necessary

Many older kitchens, particularly from manufacturers such as Alno, were equipped with Mepla brand hardware. As these hinges in their original form are rarely produced as exact new parts today, fitters and DIY enthusiasts frequently face the task of finding compatible alternatives. A replacement becomes mandatory when the internal closing spring breaks, the door sags, or the damping mechanism fails. A hinge with a broken spring is like a flat car tyre – repair is impossible, making the replacement of the component unavoidable.

The Original (Mepla) vs. Modern Standard Replacement

Replacement is not about finding an identical copy of the old fitting, but rather a technically compatible concealed hinge that fits into the existing drillings of the furniture door and the cabinet side panel.

The Original Mepla Hinge

These fittings were often characterised by a specific design of the hinge arm and mounting plate. In most cases, however, they already utilised the industrial standard for the hinge cup. Fixing was commonly achieved using pre-mounted expanding dowels or classic wood screws.

The Modern Replacement Hinge

Contemporary hardware adheres to strict standardisation. It consists of the actual concealed hinge and a separate cruciform mounting plate. Modern versions frequently offer integrated soft-close damping and can be detached from the mounting plate without tools using a clip mechanism.

Differences and Compatibility: What to Look Out For

To identify the correct replacement part, the technical measurements of the old hinge must be recorded precisely. A comparison of the relevant measuring points helps with selection:

Cup diameter: The drilled hole in the door. The standard for Mepla and modern hinges is exactly 35 mm. Less common smaller variants measure 26 mm.
Cup hole pattern: The distance between the two fixing screws adjacent to the hinge cup. Typical dimensions are 45 mm, 48 mm, or 52 mm.
Mounting plate hole pattern: The plate on the inside of the cabinet. System 32 is generally used here. The distance between the two screws is 32 mm, and the distance to the front edge of the cabinet is usually 37 mm.
Hinge arm / door overlay type: Defines how the door sits on the cabinet carcass. This must match strictly when purchasing new hardware.

Which Overlay Type for Which Case?

The correct function of the cupboard door depends on selecting the right overlay. Old Mepla hinges can be divided into three categories, for which a specific concealed hinges / cabinet hinges replacement must be chosen.

Full overlay: The door completely covers the front edge of the cabinet side panel. This is the most common case for a standard kitchen cabinet.
Half overlay (twin overlay): Two doors share a single central cabinet divider. Each door covers only half of the front edge. For this setup, half overlay concealed hinges are required, as the hinge arm features a pronounced crank.
Inset: The door sits flush with the outer cabinet carcass and rests entirely within the frame. The front edge of the cabinet side remains visible. In this case, inset concealed hinges are the correct choice.

Compatible Alternatives for Replacement

If the dimensions (35 mm cup, System 32 mounting plate) match, modern hinges can be used without issue. Standard kitchen cabinet doors typically open at an angle of 110 degrees. A classic 110-degree concealed hinges / cabinet hinges model is suitable for this.

For specialist cabinets, such as corner units with bi-fold doors or cupboards with internal pull-outs, different opening angles are needed. A 165-degree concealed hinges / cabinet hinges model allows the door to open wide so internal drawers do not foul the door leaf. For traditional corner cabinets, 135-degree concealed hinges / cabinet hinges are frequently used.

Those wishing to increase everyday convenience during replacement should choose concealed hinges / cabinet hinges with damping (Soft Close). These prevent the loud slamming of cupboard doors via an integrated hydraulic damper.

Step-by-Step: Installing Cabinet Hinges

Replacing a defective hinge requires precision but is straightforward to accomplish using standard tools.

Required Tools

Cordless drill/driver
Screwdriver with PZ (Pozidriv) size 2 drive
Folding rule or vernier calliper
Optional 5 mm wood drill bit (if new holes are needed for the mounting plate)

Installation Steps

Removal: Loosen the screws of the old mounting plate on the inside of the cabinet and lift away the door. Then remove the defective hinge from the drilled cup in the door.
Cleaning and Inspection: Clean the 35 mm drilled hole. Check whether the old screw holes are stripped. If so, they can be plugged with wooden dowels and glue or secured using dedicated hinge repair plates.
Inserting the New Concealed Hinge: Press the cup of the new hinge into the door drilling. Align the hinge at a 90-degree angle to the door edge and fasten it with screws.
Fixing the Mounting Plate: Screw the new cruciform mounting plate into the existing 32 mm drill holes on the cabinet interior.
Hanging the Door: On modern clip-on hinges, hook the front of the hinge arm onto the mounting plate first, then click it into place at the rear with gentle pressure.
Adjustment: Use the three adjustment screws on the hinge arm to align the door precisely in height, depth, and lateral overlay (gap reveal).

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Hinge Replacement

Can I replace just a single hinge on a door? No. When changing from an old Mepla system to a modern hinge, all hinges on that specific door must be replaced. Differing kinematics and pivot points will otherwise cause structural tension and damage the material.

What does System 32 mean? System 32 is an international standard in furniture manufacturing. It designates that the rows of holes in cabinet side panels have a continuous spacing of 32 mm between hole centres. The fixing screws on mounting plates also share this exact measurement.

Can older cabinets be retrofitted with soft-close? Yes. When replacing unsprung or non-damped defective hinges with modern units, you can directly opt for variants with integrated damping, provided the overlay type and hole pattern are identical.