You have chosen your internal doors. You have picked your handles. Then the question hits: what size hinges do you actually need?
Get this wrong and your door sags, sticks, or refuses to sit flush in the frame. Get it right and nobody ever notices the hinges, which is exactly what you want.
This guide gives you the precise answers for homes across Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI): the correct mm sizing, how many hinges each door needs, where to position them, and which finish to choose so your hardware looks sharp and cohesive throughout your home.
What is the standard hinge size for internal doors in NI and ROI?
The standard size for most internal doors in homes across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is the 160 x 230mm butt hinge.
Here is what those measurements mean:
- 160mm is the height of each hinge leaf
- 230mm is the full spread width when both leaves open flat
Some older guides still quote this size as a 3.5-inch hinge. That is the imperial equivalent, but always order by the millimetre measurement to avoid getting the wrong size.
Standard internal doors in Irish and Northern Irish homes typically measure 1981 x 762 mm, though widths run from 711 mm to 864 mm depending on the room and how old the property is. A 160mm hinge handles all of these comfortably.
This size also fits correctly when your door has 80 mm stiles and a 53 mm latch casing, the most common specification on modern internal door ranges, including the Manhattan collection.
How many hinges does each internal door need?
The reliable rule is one hinge for every 762mm (30 inches) of door height. In practice, this breaks down clearly:
- Two hinges for standard doors up to 1981mm tall, whether lightweight hollow core or solid timber
- Three hinges for doors over 2100mm, heavy solid-core doors, or doors in high-traffic areas such as hallways and kitchens
Three hinges on a heavier door is always the smarter choice. The third hinge shares the load across the full height of the door and frame, taking the strain off the top hinge.
When the top hinge carries too much weight alone, the door gradually drops at the latch side. Once that starts, no amount of adjustment fixes it properly. You have to reposition the hinges entirely.
If you are fitting solid oak doors or other heavy timber doors, use three hinges from the start. It saves you a significant amount of trouble later.
Where should you position hinges on an internal door?
Hinge position matters as much as hinge size. Even the right hinge, fitted in the wrong place, causes the door to swing unevenly and puts unnecessary stress on the frame.
The correct positioning for two hinges is:
- Top hinge: 150mm (approximately 6 inches) from the top of the door
- Bottom hinge: 225mm (approximately 9 inches) from the bottom of the door
For three hinges, fit the third exactly halfway between the top and bottom hinge positions. This gives even weight distribution across the full height of the door and frame.
If your door came pre-drilled or pre-routed, follow those existing hinge positions. Do not move them unless you are re-hanging the door in a completely new frame.
Does your door stile width affect which hinge you need?
Yes, and this is the detail most guides skip entirely.
The stile is the vertical timber section running down the edge of the door where the hinge fits. If your stile is narrower than the hinge leaf, the hinge overhangs the door edge and stops it from closing flush in the frame.
A 160 x 230mm hinge is designed for doors with 80mm stiles. If your door has 80 mm stiles and a 53 mm latch casing, this hinge fits precisely, with no overhanging and no adjustment needed. This applies to most modern internal door ranges.
Not sure about your stile width? Measure the flat timber section at the edge of your door, from the outside face to the rebate. If it measures 80mm, a 160mm hinge is your size.
Butt hinge vs. flush hinge: which do you need?
These two hinge types suit very different situations.
Butt hinges
A butt hinge sits mortised (recessed) into both the door edge and the door frame. When the door closes, the hinge sits flush with both surfaces and disappears from view.
This gives a clean, professional result and is the correct choice for every quality internal door in a living space. The fit is tighter, the finish is neater, and the hinge holds up far better over years of daily use.
Flush hinges
A flush hinge sits on the surface without any routing or recessing. It is quicker to fit but remains slightly proud of the door edge, making it visible when the door closes.
Flush hinges work perfectly well for lightweight internal doors where appearance matters less, loft hatches, utility room doors, or storage cupboards. For any living room, bedroom, hallway, or kitchen door where the finish matters, choose a butt hinge every time.
Which hinge finish works best for your home?
The most important rule: match your hinge finish to your handles and other door hardware. Mixing finishes across hinges, handles, and lock cases looks unintentional, even when each individual piece is good quality.
These are the four finishes most popular with homeowners across Belfast, Dublin, Derry/Londonderry, Cork, and Galway right now:
Matt black
Matt black hinges give a flat, non-reflective finish that works beautifully against white-painted doors, natural oak, and dark walnut. They suit contemporary, industrial, and Scandi-style interiors equally well and hide everyday marks far better than polished finishes.
Matt black is currently the most popular choice in modern new builds and renovations across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Satin chrome
A brushed, low-sheen silver finish. Neutral and versatile, satin chrome suits both traditional and modern interiors without making a bold statement either way. A reliable choice when you want the hardware to complement the door rather than stand out.
Polished chrome
High-shine silver that suits period properties and classic interiors. Be aware that polished chrome shows fingerprints more readily than matt or satin finishes, worth considering in busy hallways and family homes.
Antique brass
A warm, aged tone that looks excellent in period properties, farmhouse-style homes, and rustic interiors. Pairs naturally with oak doors and traditional-style handles.
If you are fitting Manhattan internal doors, the Manhattan Hinges in Matt Black 160 x 230mm are designed specifically to coordinate with the full Manhattan hardware range. They share the same finish depth and design language as the Manhattan handles, escutcheons, and door bars, so every door throughout your home matches perfectly.
Common hinge buying mistakes and how to avoid them
These are the mistakes that cause real problems after the door is hung.
Ordering by inches instead of millimetres
Many online guides still quote hinge sizes in inches. A 160mm hinge is not the same as a 3.5-inch hinge. Always confirm the exact mm measurement before you order.
Choosing a hinge too narrow for your stile
If the hinge leaf is wider than your door stile, it overhangs the edge and stops the door closing properly. Measure your stile width before ordering. Most modern internal doors have 80mm stiles.
Fitting only two hinges on a heavy solid-core door
Two hinges handle a standard hollow-core door comfortably. A solid oak or solid-core door needs three. Fit only two, and the top hinge will fail within a few years as it takes the full weight of the door alone.
Mixing finishes across the same door
Matt black hinges paired with chrome handles is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make. Pick your finish once and use it consistently across every piece of hardware on every door throughout your home.
Not checking whether screws are included
Some hinges ship without fixing screws. Check the product listing before you order so you are not making an extra trip to source matching screws once everything else has arrived.
Your internal door hinge buying checklist
Before you order, run through this list:
- Measure your door stile width (most modern internal doors are 80mm)
- Confirm your latch casing size (most modern internal doors use 53mm)
- Check your door height: up to 1981mm needs two hinges, over 2100mm needs three
- Check your door weight: solid core or solid timber needs three hinges regardless of height
- Choose your finish to match your handles and lock cases
- Confirm that fixing screws are included in the package
- If replacing existing hinges, check whether the originals were mortised or surface-mounted
Frequently asked questions
How much do internal door hinges cost?
Hinge prices vary by finish and material. Steel butt hinges in standard finishes sit at the more affordable end of the range. Specialist finishes such as matt black or antique brass cost a little more due to the powder coat or plating process involved. Visit the door hardware section at Home Centre Direct for current pricing across the full range.
How long does it take to fit door hinges?
For an experienced fitter re-hanging a door with pre-routed hinge positions, fitting a pair of hinges takes around 20 to 30 minutes per door. If you are routing new hinge positions from scratch into both the door and the frame, allow 45 to 60 minutes per door. A three-hinge door takes slightly longer. The right chisel and a hinge jig make the job noticeably quicker and more accurate.
Are the hinges at Home Centre Direct good quality?
Yes. Home Centre Direct stocks hinges sourced from established door hardware ranges and manufactured to residential installation standards. The matt black powder coat finish on ranges such as the Manhattan 160 x 230 mm hinges is applied over a steel base, delivering scratch resistance and corrosion protection for long-term daily use. All hinges include fixing screws as standard.
Matt black or satin chrome: which is better for internal doors?
Neither is objectively better. Matt black suits modern, contemporary, and industrial interiors and is the strongest trend in new builds across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland right now. Satin chrome is more neutral and works across a wider range of interior styles without making as bold a statement. The key rule is to pick one finish and use it consistently across all hinges, handles, and lock cases on every door in your home.
Do you deliver door hinges to Northern Ireland?
Yes. Home Centre Direct delivers door hinges across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry, Armagh, Omagh, Enniskillen, Ballymena, and Antrim. For full delivery details, see our shipping policy.
Do you deliver door hinges to the Republic of Ireland?
Yes. Home Centre Direct delivers door hinges across the Republic of Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, Drogheda, Dundalk, and Sligo. ROI deliveries are customs-free. For full delivery details, see our shipping policy.
Shop door hinges at Home Centre Direct
Home Centre Direct stocks internal door hinges across multiple finishes and sizes, with delivery across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. ROI deliveries are customs-free.
If you are fitting Manhattan internal doors, the Manhattan Hinges Matt Black 160 x 230 mm are designed precisely for 80 mm stiles and 53 mm latch casings, giving you a perfect fit alongside the full Manhattan hardware range.