Parliament Hinges

A parliament hinge has extended, projecting leaves that throw the door well clear of the frame as it opens. That extra projection is what lets a door swing a full 180 degrees and sit flat against the adjacent wall, which a standard butt hinge physically cannot do.

When you need the projection

Specify parliament hinges where a deep architrave, a reveal, a window board or a radiator would otherwise stop the door short, and on doors that need to be pinned right back for access. Match the projection to the obstruction: measure from the frame face to the point the door must clear.

For ordinary swings, plain butt hinges or washered hinges are the correct and cheaper choice, and concealed hinges suit flush contemporary doors. Certified openings need fire rated hinges. Add a door stop to protect the wall.

What a parliament hinge actually does

A parliament hinge has wide, projecting leaves that push the pivot point clear of the frame, so the door can swing back through 180 degrees and sit flat against the wall. That matters wherever architrave, deep skirting, a radiator or a window reveal would otherwise stop the door short, and on French or double doors that need to open completely out of the way.

Sizing and projection

Choose the hinge by projection first and plate size second. The projection has to be at least as deep as the obstruction you are clearing, usually the architrave plus any skirting return. Too little projection and the door still fouls; too much and the leaf stands proud and looks wrong. Hang on three hinges on a standard internal leaf and four on a tall or heavy door, and read the stated weight rating rather than assuming the wide plate makes the hinge stronger.

When to specify something else

If you only need a normal 90 degree swing, plain butt hinges are cheaper and neater. For heavy solid leaves that are opened constantly, washered hinges run quieter, and for a completely hidden fixing use concealed hinges. Certified leaves need fire rated hinges without exception. Our guide to where to fit door hinges covers marking out and how to choose door hinges compares the full door hinges range.