Hardware guide
Cabinet Hinges Explained: Types and Overlay
Understand European, overlay, and inset hinges, plus how door overlay and the cup bore affect your cut list, with charts to pick and bore hinges right.
Research Lens
How can a personal builder use CutList to finish cabinet hinges explained: types and overlay with fewer mistakes?
The hobby workflow is strongest when the app is used as a planning checkpoint: define the project, enter accurate stock and parts, generate a visual layout, then use cost, waste, grain, kerf, PDF export, project history, and offline access to control the real cutting session.
Decision Metrics
Visual model
Hinge and overlay set the door size
Choose the hinge type and overlay first, then size and bore the doors to match.
Hinges Decide How The Door Sits
Cabinet hinges do more than swing the door; they determine whether it overlays the cabinet, sits inset, or splits a pair. The hinge type and overlay must be chosen before cutting doors, because they set the door size relative to the opening. Pick the hinge first, then size the doors to match, or they will not align.
European Cup Hinges Dominate Frameless
European, or cup, hinges are the standard for frameless cabinets: concealed, adjustable in three directions, and easy to install once the cup hole is bored. Their three-way adjustment forgives small build errors, which is why they are so popular. They require a specific cup bore diameter and setback, so the door needs an accurately drilled hole.
Overlay Sets The Door Size
Overlay is how much the door covers the cabinet opening: full overlay nearly hides the cabinet edge, half overlay shares an edge between two doors, and inset sits flush within the opening. The overlay you choose changes the door dimensions directly, so it must be locked before the doors are cut, not after.
Inset Doors Demand Precision
Inset doors sit flush inside the frame for a classic look, but they leave a small reveal all around that must be even, which demands precise door sizing and hinge adjustment. They are less forgiving than overlay doors. If you choose inset, plan tighter tolerances and hinges designed for inset mounting.
Bore And Size From The Hinge Spec
The reliable order is to pick the hinge and overlay, read the cup bore diameter and setback, then size and bore the doors to match. Use the cut list calculator to set door dimensions for your chosen overlay, and drill test holes in scrap to confirm the cup fit before boring finished doors.
Data charts
Compare
Hinge types compared
| Hinge | Look | Adjustability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| European cup | Concealed | Three-way | Frameless cabinets |
| Overlay (face frame) | Partly visible | Some | Face-frame cabinets |
| Inset | Flush, classic | Moderate | Traditional inset doors |
| Butt / exposed | Visible | Little | Decorative, simple doors |
Field Checklist
- Choose hinge type and overlay first.
- Use European cup hinges for frameless.
- Let overlay set the door dimensions.
- Bore the cup hole to spec.
- Test the cup fit in scrap before doors.
FAQ
Common questions
What hinge for frameless cabinets?
European cup hinges, which are concealed and adjust in three directions to forgive small errors.
What is door overlay?
How much the door covers the cabinet opening: full, half, or inset. It sets the door size.
Do hinges change my door cut list?
Yes. The overlay you pick changes door dimensions, so choose it before cutting doors.
Are inset doors harder?
Yes. They require an even reveal all around and precise sizing and hinge adjustment.
Sources