Soft-Close vs Standard Hinges: What to Choose
5 min read · Updated 2026-08
Concealed (European) hinges all look similar in a catalogue, but three things decide whether one fits your cabinet: the closing mechanism, the overlay, and the opening angle. Get the overlay wrong and the door will not sit flush no matter how much you adjust it.
Closing mechanisms
This is what you feel every day, and where most of the price difference sits.
| Type | How it behaves | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (self-close) | Spring pulls the door shut in the last few degrees | Low-use cabinets, budget work |
| Soft-close | Damper slows the door and closes it silently | Kitchens, bedrooms, anywhere used daily |
| Push-open | No handle — press to open | Handleless designs |
Overlay: the number that decides fit
Overlay describes how the door sits relative to the cabinet side panel. This is the specification people most often get wrong.
- Full overlay — the door covers the side panel completely. Used at the end of a run or on single-door cabinets.
- Half overlay — two doors share one side panel, each covering half. Used between two cabinets.
- Inset — the door sits inside the frame, flush with the carcass. A more demanding, more expensive look.
Opening angle
Standard hinges open to about 110°, which is enough for most cabinets. Wider angles exist for a reason:
- 110° — the default; fine for ordinary doors.
- 165° — needed where a drawer must pull out past an open door, or for corner units.
- 90–95° — used where an adjacent wall or appliance limits swing.
Is soft-close worth it?
On a kitchen, yes. The doors are used many times a day, and the damper stops the slamming that eventually loosens screws and chips shutter edges.
On a rarely-opened storage loft or a garage cabinet, standard hinges are perfectly reasonable and cost noticeably less.
One practical note: soft-close dampers lose effectiveness on very light doors, which do not carry enough momentum to engage them properly. On thin or hollow doors, check the hinge's minimum door weight.
Frequently asked
How many hinges does a cabinet door need?
Two for doors up to about 900 mm, three up to about 1600 mm, and four for taller doors. Heavy solid or glass-fronted doors may need an extra hinge regardless of height.
Can I add soft-close to my existing hinges?
Often yes — clip-on soft-close adapters fit many standard concealed hinges, and are far cheaper than replacing all the hardware. Check compatibility with your hinge brand and cup size first.
What is the difference between 0, 9.5 and 16 crank hinges?
Crank is the bend in the hinge arm, and it sets the overlay: 0 crank gives full overlay, 9.5 half overlay, and 16 inset. Choosing the crank is how you choose the overlay.