Butt hinges vs. flush hinges

The main difference between butt hinges and flush hinges is how they are mounted and for what type of door they are intended.

Flush hinges are primarily used for rabbeted doors. A rabbeted door partially overlaps the door frame. Flush hinges consist of two parts that can be easily slid into each other. This allows the door to be relatively easily lifted out of the frame without fully disassembling the hardware.

Butt hinges are typically used for flush doors. A flush door fits entirely within the door frame and closes level with the frame. The hinge is attached with screws to both the door and the frame.

Which one do you need?

Do you have a rabbeted door? Then a flush hinge is usually the right choice.

Do you have a flush door? Then you typically use a regular butt hinge, for example, a ball bearing hinge.

It is therefore important to first determine which type of door you have before purchasing new door hinges.