Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find frequently asked questions about our company, services & products.  If you have a question that you do not see answered on this page, please email us at info@HardwareSource.com . 

• General Questions
  Questions about HardwareSource.com.
• General Hinge Questions
  Questions about hinges in general.
• Hinge Question & Answer Section
  Specific hinge questions with the expert answers you can expect when you contact Hardware Source.

• How do I get a catalog of your hinges?
  We no longer publish a catalog. All of our hinges are on the website. Because we add new hinges almost every week, we have found that we cannot keep a catalog up-to-date. We hope you can make use of our website.
  
  
• How long does it take to get my hinges once they have been ordered?
  The shipping time depends on how far you live from San Diego. To find the transit time from San Diego to your address click on "Policies" (upper left hand part of this webpage) and pull down "Shipping Info". Please remember that transit time is in working days. Shipments do not move on weekends and holidays.
  
  
• How soon do you ship my hinges after the order has been placed?
  We stock all of the hinges on our website and we generally are able to ship them out the next working day after you order. If you order on Saturday or Sunday we consider the order day to be Monday and we ship on Tuesday. If you order on Friday we ship on Monday.
  
  
• What is your return policy?
  Our return policy is listed in the upper left-hand corner of the website under "policies".
  
  
• Do you ship merchandise outside the United States.
  At this time, we can only ship merchandise to addresses in the United States and Canada. Shipments to Canada have a minimum order because of the extra paperwork involved. Please email us for details.
  
  
• I have a hinge that I am trying to replace but I need help identifying it. Can you help?
  You can email us a digital photo if you would like and we will do our best to help. Send it to info@HardwareSource.com. You can also send us the actual hinge. If you send us the actual hinge and you want it back, please include a postage-paid self-addressed mailer. Also include your email address so we can contact you.
  
  
• Can you just put my hinges in the mail? It is cheaper than UPS.
  For small orders we ship USPS Priority Mail at our flat rate shipping charge. When you place your order you are offered several choices for shipping. If your order qualifies for flat rate shipping, it will be shipped USPS Priority Mail.
  
  

• Some of your hinges sell by the "each" and some sell by the "pair" what is the difference?
  When the unit of measure says "pair" that means two hinges. Usually you need one pair of hinges per door. When the unit of measure says "each" that means one hinge. You would usually order 2 "each" hinges per door.
  
  
• What is the difference between "Architectural" hinges and "Residential" hinges?
  Residential Grade hinges are lightweight hinges normally used on tract type homes. Architectural Grade hinges are much higher in quality than residential hinges and they are about 50% thicker. They are generally used in custom homes and by homeowners who want to upgrade the hardware in their homes during a remodel. They are made of a thicker base material and are available in a wider selection of sizes and finishes. Architectural Grade hinges are available with ball-bearings to increase the life of the hinge (yes, hinges do wear out). Ball bearings make a heavy door easier to open.
  
  
  
  
• I want to replace my hinges. How do I make sure the screwholes on the new hinge will match the screwholes on the old hinge, so I do not have to redrill the holes?
  Unfortunately, hinge manufacturers have never standardized the location of their screwhole patterns. Every manufacturer puts their screwholes in a slightly different place. This means that when you replace hinges you will almost certainly have to do some filling and redrilling. The exception to this is Architectural door hinges which are built to a standardized template for each size hinge.
  
  
• How do you measure your hinges?
  We measure our hinges in the open position, as if they were laying open, flat on a table. Height is the first dimension and width is the second dimension. The height direction is usually the same direction as the hinge pin. The width direction is usually the direction that is perpendicular to the hinge pin. "Joint length" is the measurement from tip to tip of the hinge pin.
  
  
• What is the difference between "Domestic" origin and "Imported" origin?
  Twenty years ago the answer was more clear cut. "Domestic" meant the hinge was manufactured completely in a factory in the United States and "Imported" meant it was made in a factory in another country. Now most U.S. manufacturers (like Stanley, Amerock and others) have at least some of their hinges made in factories in other countries. On the HardwareSource website, when a hinge is labeled "Domestic" it means that it is manufactured under the supervision of a U.S. manufacturing company like Stanley or Amerock. The "Domestic" hinges are usually of a better quality than the "Imported" hinges. The "Imported" hinges are good quality and often times represent a very good value. We use the terms on our website to help the customer understand why there is sometimes a difference in price between two hinges that look the same.
  
  

• Link to Hinge Question & Answer Page