Retrofitting Concealed Hinges for Alno Kitchens

A concealed hinge with a 35 mm cup diameter and a System 32 hole pattern serves as an exact replacement for worn fittings in an Alno kitchen.

Older kitchen carcases often retain excellent structural stability, whereas the moving wear-and-tear components deteriorate after years of intensive use. When doors start to drop, catch, or slam loudly upon closing, replacing the hinges becomes essential. Fittings from furnica are suitable as replacements for Alno kitchens, provided that basic technical parameters such as drilling distances and overlay types match. This guide explains which dimensions carpenters and experienced fitters need to observe during retrofitting to ensure the proper operation of cabinet doors.

What to Look for Regarding Compatibility

For a new concealed hinge to fit an Alno kitchen, the recesses in the door and the drill holes in the carcase must match the new fitting precisely. Compatibility is determined by three main factors.

The Cup Diameter

The standard dimension for the routed hole diameter in the cabinet door is 35 mm. In rare cases, such as on very light or narrow doors, a 26 mm dimension is used. The depth of the cup hole is generally between 11.5 mm and 12.5 mm. A compatible hinge must fit snugly into this existing recess, as widening the hole retrospectively in laminated chipboard or MDF is practically impossible without tear-out.

The Hole Pattern on the Hinge Cup

In addition to the large 35 mm hole, the hinge cup is secured with two screws. The distance between these two screw holes varies depending on the manufacturer. Common centre distances are 45 mm, 48 mm, or 52 mm. If this dimension does not match the old drill holes, the screws must be driven into slightly offset new positions.

The Cruciform Mounting Plate and System 32

The counterpart to the hinge, the cruciform mounting plate, sits inside the carcase. In industrial furniture manufacturing, the hole line is based on System 32. This means:

• The distance from the front carcase edge to the centre of the first drill hole is 37 mm.
• The distance between two vertical drill holes is 32 mm.
• The diameter of the drill holes for Euro screws is 5 mm.

If the existing Alno kitchen complies with this standard, standard mounting plates can be screwed into place as an alternative to the old plates without any difficulty.

Determining Overlay Types and Opening Angles

Before selecting replacement components, the exact overlay type of the door must be identified. An incorrect hinge type will prevent the door from being mounted or closed properly.

1. Full overlay: In the closed position, the cabinet door covers the front edge of the carcase side panel almost completely. Only a minimal gap remains visible. This is the most common standard for kitchen units.
2. Half overlay: Two doors share a single central carcase side panel (twin doors). Each door covers only half the front edge of the panel. The hinge arm features a visible crank for this purpose.
3. Inset: The door sits flush with the carcase side panels and rests entirely inside the cabinet opening. The hinge arm is deeply cranked.

The standard opening angle for kitchen cupboards is 110°. For corner units with bi-fold doors or cabinets with internal drawers, an angle of 155° or 165° is required so that the door does not obstruct the pull-outs.

Matching furnica Components for Kitchen Modernisation

When replacing hinges, many installers switch from basic fittings to models with integrated damping. This soft-close technology decelerates the door during the final centimetres and pulls it shut smoothly and silently.

Modernising door fittings is often the starting point for a broader upgrade of kitchen units. Once the fronts close accurately again, it is worth looking inside the cupboards. Old shelves can be upgraded with kitchen cabinet pull-outs to make storage space more ergonomic. For wide base units, a kitchen cabinet pull-out 60 cm is ideal for accessing heavy pots without stooping.

Around the sink area, retrofitting a pull-out kitchen bin mounted directly to the carcase base is a practical addition. When overhauling wall units, a wall cabinet dish drainer rack can be integrated alongside the hinges. For wall cupboards that do not feature traditional side-hung doors but instead open upwards via lift-up flaps, concealed hinges are not used; instead, a heavy-duty gas strut for flap doors is installed. Here, the force is selected in Newtons (N) to match the weight of the front. New kitchen furniture handles and a matching kitchen drawer organiser complete the mechanical refurbishment of the cabinets cleanly.

Installation and Retrofitting of Concealed Hinges

Installing compatible hinges requires accurate workmanship, but it can be completed in just a few steps.

Required Tools

• Cordless screwdriver with a PZ2 bit
• Screwdriver (cross-head PZ2)
• Tape measure or folding ruler
• If necessary, a wood drill bit (5 mm) and a try square

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Dismantling: Unhook the old hinges by loosening the screw on the mounting plate. Then remove the screws from the hinge cup and take the mounting plate off the carcase.
2. Inspection: Test-fit the 35 mm cup of the new hinge into the recess in the door. If it sits firmly and flush, drive in the two fixing screws (usually 3.5 mm x 15 mm).
3. Fitting the mounting plate: Screw the new cruciform mounting plate into the existing 32 mm drill holes in the carcase. If the holes are stripped or damaged, repair plugs or threaded inserts can be used.
4. Clipping on: Modern hinges feature clip-on technology. Hook the front of the hinge arm onto the mounting plate and click it into place at the rear with gentle pressure.
5. Adjustment: The adjustment screws on the hinge arm function like a steering wheel—minimal turns alter the door position by millimetres.

• Depth adjustment: Alters the gap between the door and the carcase (gap reveal).
• Height adjustment: Adjusted via the mounting plate to align the door vertically.
• Lateral adjustment: Controls the side overlay and ensures parallel gaps between adjacent doors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I measure the cup diameter correctly? Use a calliper or a precise tape measure to check the internal diameter of the circular recess in the cabinet door. In kitchen furniture, this measurement is almost always 35 mm.

Can I retrofit soft-close on my Alno kitchen? Yes. When replacing old hinges with new models compatible with Alno kitchens, you can directly choose variants with an integrated damping cylinder. The carcase and door dimensions remain unaffected.

What is the difference between soft-close and tip-on? These are two opposite mechanisms. Soft-close slows down a closing door and pulls it shut silently. Tip-on (push-to-open) pushes a handleless door open when pressed. They cannot be combined within the same hinge.

Why is the door not closing properly after replacing the hinges? This is usually due to selecting the wrong overlay type (e.g. buying a half overlay instead of a full overlay hinge) or not yet performing the 3D alignment using the adjustment screws on the hinge arm.