The complete set of interior doors does not do without the corresponding fittings. Along with handles, chains, eyes and various inserts, manufacturers attach loops to the sets. Perhaps this is the main element of the door kit, on which the quality of fixing the canvas in the opening depends. Typically, traditional loop models are used, the device of which involves inserting into an array - a special groove is formed for this.
The development of technological methods for the manufacture and installation of doors has led to the development of a butterfly loop, which does not require a frame. The new fittings have other fundamental differences, which are characterized by both pluses and minuses. Proper installation will save the advantages and minimize the disadvantages of the finished door structure.
Design features
The main difference between butterfly hinges, which affects the installation features with further operation, is the fit to the door surface. Such accessories do not require the creation of grooves for insertion - a loop card is superimposed on the surface and also twists. The fastening sides are arranged so that one part, when closing the doors, is built into the other, which is the reason for the name “butterfly”. The number of self-tapping screws varies depending on the kit, but on average it corresponds to the classic sets of mortise loops.
Installation process
To understand how to install a butterfly loop correctly, you need to consider its design in more detail. The technology for installing overhead models, as noted above, is due to the specifics of their work. The absence of the need to form grooves is a significant advantage of such loops, otherwise the installation course corresponds to the usual method.
First, the location of the loops is marked. It is advisable to apply them with the inside, and then fix the drilling points. The gap from the edges of the canvas should be at least 200 mm - the average indentation is not only for the “butterfly” loop, but also for the usual versions of this hardware. Then, neat holes are made for self-tapping screws, which are usually supplied complete with loops. The final touch will be the direct screwing of the sides of the "butterfly" to the door frame and the canvas.
Installation Nuances
The external ease of the installation process, and in particular the lack of the need to create niches in the array, captivates many. But all the advantages that the butterfly door hinges have come to an end. Only after installation can you evaluate how ambiguous such hardware is.
The fact is that you can get the proper effect from the use of loops without tapping only on condition of a perfect installation. Compared to traditional models, “butterflies” do not provide a wide field for refinement. Firstly, the sides should fold perfectly, otherwise an unevenness will form - the door will spring or at least fit snugly. Secondly, you have to put up with a small gap, which, of course, is formed from bulging loop cards. And another unpleasant moment, which also characterizes the butterfly door hinges and the design without a frame as such, is the inability to remove the door leaf without unscrewing the screws.
How to fix errors?
It is impossible to get rid of all of the listed consequences of using such original loops, but it is possible to minimize their effect on ease of use. Among the most important tasks that the masters solve during the installation of butterfly loops is to ensure uniformity when converging cards. Usually, inconsistencies are eliminated by creating linings. To do this, use cardboard, thin chips, paper and similar material - it is necessary to lay in the part opposite to the side that does not overlap.
In addition, hinges for butterfly doors , due to their design features, do not provide a high degree of reliability. Of course, it all depends on the product, but the mortise type hinges they lose significantly. Therefore, it is important to perform the fixing itself with screws as accurately as possible - the absence of peering hats and tilts during insertion will be reflected in reliability.
Another dubious feature is the location of the screws on the map. On one side they are located closely, and on the other - at a distance from each other. The configuration cannot be fixed, but it is possible to exclude the possibility of damage to the door on which the butterfly hinges are planned to be mounted. Installation is carried out on solid and reliable areas - that is, suitable for twisting.
Which doors are suitable?
You can determine the segment of optimally suitable doors for the design of butterfly hinges based on the strength of the fastening. This nuance has already been considered, and it is quite natural that to supplement heavy models with such systems is undesirable. Still, the operation of embedding into the array adds to the reliability of the fastening, while external fixation without insurance seems to be very risky when installing a 40-kilogram canvas.
Conversely, butterfly door hinges, which are installed as smoothly and cleanly as possible, are ideal for lightweight doors that do not require much installation effort. In particular, representatives of the veneered category are combined with “butterflies” not only technically, but also visually. Models made of solid wood are recommended to be equipped with mortise fittings - the complexity of the installation is compensated by their reliability.
Decorative effect
The butterfly attachment loop attachment system is also due to aesthetic considerations. No matter how neat the inset, the master will not be able to maintain the integrity and decorative completeness of the door to the same extent. Bypassing all the difficulties of installing such loops, you can achieve an unsurpassed result. Since there is no need to intervene in the capricious laminated surface, doors with butterfly hinges should be considered as the best option for living rooms, bedrooms, offices and other rooms where stylistic harmony is important.
Total
Overhead loops can hardly be called the best choice for amateurs and beginners who can count on easy installation without creating a tie-in. Some risks are excluded, but others arise. Nevertheless, subject to strict marking and verified convergence of cards, the butterfly hinges will provide the result in the form of aesthetic interior doors with the original mounting configuration.
Finally, it’s worth turning to mortise models, which still remain the most popular solution for fixing doors. This choice is worth making if you need a solid and reliable design, however, you will have to sacrifice decorativeness. Nevertheless, the clumsy principle of introducing such loops is incomparable with a delicate lining without damaging the wood.