Titus
A specifier’s guide to soft-close cabinet hinges: types, tolerances and test standards
Soft-close hinges are the expectation for fitted furniture now. Customers expect it in quality furniture, and when it’s missing or not performing properly, it’s one of the first things they notice.
Specifying them well is where it gets more involved. Door weight, overlay type, board material, drilling depth, performance level: the decisions made at this stage determine whether a hinge performs at scale or creates problems on the line and for the end product.
This guide covers the main hinge types available in the UK market, what tolerances matter in production and how the relevant test standard works in practice.
Types of soft-close cabinet hinge
Most soft-close hinges used in UK cabinet furniture are concealed hinges (or “cup hinges”), which stay out of sight to keep the focus on the furniture design. When specifying, the mounting system makes all the difference to assembly speed and reliability.
Mounting: from screw-on to toolless
The speed of installation depends on how the hinge attaches to both the door and the cabinet:
• Snap-on/clip-on: Our signature T-type hinge allows for tool-free “snap-on” mounting from three directions (front, back and top). This makes fitting tall doors with multiple hinges straightforward, even for a single installer.
• PressTo (tool-free cup): For an even faster fit, the T-type PressTo hinge locks into the door with an audible ‘click’, ensuring a secure and consistent fit every time. It makes door removal quick and speeds up assembly in high-volume production.
• Screw-on: The traditional method for those who prefer a classic fixing. They’re reliable and simple but usually slower to fit and adjust at scale.
Integrated vs add-on soft-close
• Integrated: Titus hinges feature damping built directly into the hinge cup. This one-step solution is cleaner, more durable and means the soft-close action is perfectly calibrated to the hinge’s movement.
• Add-on: Separate dampers offer more flexibility if you’re retrofitting or working with existing hinges.
Opening angle
The opening angle is fixed by the hinge design, so it’s worth confirming at the specification stage rather than adjusting later. A standard 110° opening works for most kitchen and bedroom doors. For internal pull-out drawers or built-in appliances, you’ll need a wider angle so the door swings fully clear. The T-type is available in a range of opening angles to cover these needs.
Overlay type
Concealed hinges are designed around the door’s position relative to the cabinet, and the “crank” of the hinge arm determines which type you need. A full overlay door covers the cabinet side completely. A half overlay door shares a central partition with the door next to it. An inset door sits flush inside the cabinet frame. Getting the right hinge and mounting plate combination for your overlay type is what gives you consistent door alignment.
Performance tolerances: what they are and why they matter
Tolerances in cabinet hinges come down to two things: how the hinge fits the panel and how much adjustment you have once the door is hung. Both matter when you’re producing at volume.
The cup bore
The bore needs to match the hinge specification. The standard cup bore for concealed hinges in Europe is 35mm. What varies is the cup depth. The T-type uses an 11.7mm drilling depth, which is ideal for thinner door panels where there is less material to work with.
Three-way adjustment
Quality concealed hinges offer three-way adjustment after installation. This lets you get every door sitting at a consistent gap without needing a perfect fit first time.
Test standards: what EN 15570 measures
EN 15570 is the main test standard for cabinet hinges in the UK and across Europe, adopted as BS EN 15570. It tests how a hinge performs under repeated use, as well as its strength and resistance to wear over time.
The standard uses performance levels. A higher level means the hinge has been tested to a greater number of cycles and more demanding conditions. It’s worth asking your supplier which level their product meets and whether that’s appropriate for your application.
Beyond the cycle testing, EN 15570 also covers strength. It tests the hinge, mounting plate and fixing as a system, which gives a more realistic picture of how the product will perform in use.
For kitchen and bathroom applications, it’s also worth asking about corrosion resistance. Hinges in those environments are exposed to moisture and cleaning products regularly, and not all products offer the same level of protection.
Choosing the right hinge for your specification
Hinge specification is one of those areas where small decisions early on can cause bigger problems later. These are the ones worth getting right from the start.
- Specifying on price without checking the performance level. Two hinges can look identical in a catalogue but be tested to very different standards. If a product is positioned as durable, the specification needs to reflect that.
- Not accounting for door weight. Soft-close performance can vary depending on how heavy the door is. The T-type is designed to carry a heavier door than many alternatives without the soft-close losing its consistency.
- Not thinking about the board material. The board material your doors are made from can affect how the hinge fixes and performs, so it’s worth discussing with your supplier.
- Relying on adjustment to fix bigger problems. Three-way adjustment is there to fine-tune, not to compensate for consistent errors in your production setup. If doors are coming out misaligned across a whole run, the hinge isn’t the issue.
What to ask your supplier
When evaluating a hinge for a new specification, these are the questions worth putting directly to your supplier:
- What EN 15570 level does the hinge meet?
- What board material and fixing method was it tested on?
- What is the cup drilling depth?
- How does the soft-close perform on heavier doors or if the hinge is slightly misaligned during fitting?
- Can you supply consistently at volume and what lead times should we plan for?
Common questions
What does soft-close mean in test terms?
EN 15570 tests how a hinge holds up over time, but it doesn’t define how ‘soft’ the close feels. That’s down to how the hinge is engineered. When a manufacturer says their hinge is soft-close tested, it means the closing action remained consistent throughout the durability testing.
Is tolerance about size or movement?
Both. It covers how precisely the hinge fits the panel, and how much you can adjust the door position once it’s hung. A good hinge gives you confidence in both.
What certifications matter?
BS EN 15570 is the main one for hinge performance in the UK. For kitchens and bathrooms, it’s also worth asking about corrosion resistance, as products vary. If you’re unsure what to look for, the Titus team can advise based on your specific application.
Getting specification right from the start
A cabinet hinge is a small component, but it’s one of the few things the end user interacts with every day. How a door closes shapes how the product feels and how the brand behind it is remembered.
Getting the specification right from the start saves time, reduces returns and protects your reputation. If you’d like to talk through your requirements, the Titus team is happy to help.
