Door hardware By Antoh Decor Enterprises 3 min read
Key points
- Butterfly special hinges are weld-on hinges for steel gates and doors; ours are 2.5″ long with a ¾″ barrel and a smooth finish.
- Use at least two hinges on a door and three on taller or heavier doors and gate leaves.
- Align all hinge pins on one straight line before welding, or the gate will bind.
- Grease the hinges after painting and every few months to keep them quiet.
Butterfly hinges (sold as butterfly special hinges) are the weld-on hinges you see on most steel gates and doors in Kenya. Two leaves, shaped like butterfly wings, are welded to the frame and the gate, and swing on a pin inside a solid barrel. Ours are 2.5″ long with a ¾″ barrel and a smooth finish for a quiet, strong swing.
How many hinges?
| Door or gate | Hinges |
|---|---|
| Small steel door or grill door | 2 |
| Standard steel door | 3 |
| Tall or heavy gate leaf | 3 or more |
For very heavy swing gates, ask us about heavier hinge types; the hinge must match the weight of the leaf.
Aligning and welding
- Line up the pins. All hinge pins must sit on one straight vertical line. Even a small misalignment makes the gate stiff or makes it swing open on its own.
- Use spacers. Put the gate in position on blocks, with the correct gap at the hinge side and the bottom.
- Tack first. Tack each hinge leaf, then swing the gate to check before welding fully.
- Protect the barrel. Do not let weld spatter get into the pin and barrel. Weld the leaves, not the barrel.
- Let it cool before swinging hard, so the hinge does not distort.
Keeping hinges quiet
After painting or powder coating, work the gate open and closed to free any paint in the hinge, then grease the pin. Re-grease every few months, more often near the coast or on dusty roads. A squeaking gate is almost always a dry hinge.
Replacing a worn hinge
When a gate drops at the free end, scrapes the ground or rattles, the hinges are usually worn. To replace one:
- Support the gate on blocks at the correct height so it cannot fall.
- Cut off the old hinge with a grinder, keeping the frame intact.
- Grind the area clean and flat.
- Fit the new hinge in line with the others (check with a straight edge or string line), tack, test and weld.
- Prime, paint and grease.
If one hinge has worn out, the others are usually close behind. Replacing all of them at once keeps the line straight.
Common mistakes
- Hinges welded at slightly different angles, so the gate binds.
- Too few hinges on a heavy leaf, which then sags.
- Paint left in the barrel, so the hinge squeaks and wears.
- No gate stop, so the leaf swings too far and strains the hinges.
We sell butterfly hinges singly for repairs and in bulk for workshops and hardware shops. Ask for a price on the butterfly special hinges page.
Featured in this guide
Door Closers, Hinges & Door Hardware
Butterfly Special Hinges (Smooth) 2.5″ × ¾″
Heavy-duty smooth butterfly hinges, 2.5″ long with a ¾″ barrel, for steel gates and doors. Sold singly or in bulk.
2.5″ × ¾″
Price on request · wholesale & retail
Frequently asked questions
What size are your butterfly hinges?
2.5 inches long with a ¾ inch barrel, smooth finish.
How many hinges does a steel door need?
Two on a small door, three on a standard steel door, and three or more on tall or heavy gate leaves.
Why does my gate swing open by itself?
The hinge pins are not on a perfectly vertical line. The hinges need realigning.
Do you sell butterfly hinges in bulk?
Yes, to fabrication workshops and hardware shops, with countrywide delivery.
