Zero protrusion hinges are a good hinge choice for drawers behind doors
When you have drawers situated behind doors there needs to be preparation to ensure the door does not obstruct the drawer opening.
With a regular hinge when the door is in the open position, the door overlaps the open space by around 10mm whereas a zero-protrusion hinge does not impinge into the open space.
This feature of the zero-protrusion works even if the door is opened to only 90degrees. Zero-protrusion hinges are also commonly called ‘wide angle hinges’ as the opening action extends from the regular opening angle of 95-120 degrees to 155 degrees.
Some people say ’there is no point using a wide angle hinge as the cabinet is right next to a wall making opening beyond 90 degrees impossible’. However the zero-protrusion feature still works so the benefit of the zero-protrusion/wide angle opening still makes installation worthwhile.
Where should the zero protrusion hinges be located?
- The bottom hinge should be located above the bottom drawer
- The next hinge up should be just above the top drawer
- If there are more than five drawers then consider positioning a hinge just above the third drawer
To allow for the hinge arm to fit between the drawer boxes an extra 30mm vertical separation is added? Does this waste space? Not really as the clear space just above a drawer box is useful for overflow.