When choosing a Shower Door Hinge, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the material, load-bearing capacity, durability, installation method and other factors to ensure the stability and safety of long-term use. The following are the specific selection points:

 

1. Material selection

 

- Stainless steel (grade 304 or 316):

 

- 304 stainless steel: economical and practical, good corrosion resistance, suitable for most home environments.

 

- 316 stainless steel: contains molybdenum, stronger resistance to chlorine corrosion, suitable for coastal or high humidity areas.

 

- Avoid: 201 stainless steel (rust-prone, short service life).

 

- Aluminum alloy: lightweight and low-cost, but not as durable as stainless steel, suitable for light glass doors.

 

- Copper chrome plating: beautiful and high-grade, but expensive, need regular maintenance to prevent the plating from falling off.

 

2. Load-bearing capacity

 

- Single door hinges: usually need to bear a load of 30-50kg, and the glass thickness needs to be matched when choosing hinges (for example, 8-10mm glass needs to be equipped with heavy hinges).

 

- Double door hinges: the hinges on each side need to share more weight, and it is recommended to choose a thickened type (for example, glass above 12mm needs to be reinforced with Stainless Steel Hinges).

 

- Frameless shower door: The load-bearing requirements for hinges are higher, and it is necessary to choose a hinge with cushioning function to reduce the impact.

 

3. Type of hinge

 

- Open-mounted hinge: installed on the outside of the door frame, which is convenient for maintenance and adjustment, but the aesthetics are slightly worse.

 

- Hidden hinge: embedded in the frame, visually simple, but high requirements for installation accuracy.

 

- Adjustable hinge: with three-dimensional adjustment function (up and down, left and right, back and back), suitable for fine-tuning the door seam during installation.

 

4. Details of durability

 

- Bearing structure: copper or steel ball bearings are preferred, which are smoother to open and close, and have a longer service life than ordinary shafts.

 

- Waterproof design: There should be a sealing ring or waterproof coating inside the hinge to prevent water vapor from eroding the internal parts.

 

- Surface treatment: brushed, mirrored or PVD coating can improve anti-fingerprint and scratch resistance.

 

5. Precautions for installation

 

- Pre-buried parts: If the wall is hollow bricks, metal reinforcements need to be pre-installed to ensure stability.

 

- Glass opening: The frameless door hinge needs to accurately match the glass hole position, and the error needs to be ≤1mm.

 

- Regular maintenance: clean the hinge gap and apply silicone grease every six months to prevent abnormal noise and stuttering.

 

6. Other considerations

 

- Style matching: Hidden hinges can be selected for modern simple style, and gold-plated or retro styles can be selected for classical style.

 

- Budget allocation: Hinges account for 15%-20% of the total cost of shower doors. It is recommended to give priority to investing in hinges rather than excessive pursuit of glass materials.

 

Summary: Give priority to 304/316 stainless steel, open-loaded hinges with bearing adjustment function to ensure that the load-bearing meets the standard, and choose professional brands. The installation is operated by an experienced master, which can greatly reduce the risk of later maintenance.