No, Hinges do not always have to be recessed. Whether a hinge is recessed (mortised) or surface-mounted depends on the hinge type, door design, load requirements, appearance goals, and clearance needs.
Many doors work best with recessed hinges, but others are specifically designed for surface mounting.
A recessed hinge sits in a shallow cutout, called a mortise, in the door edge and/or frame so the hinge leaf is flush with the surface.
This approach:
Keeps the door aligned and flush
Improves appearance
Reduces gaps and binding
Recessing is common with traditional butt hinges on interior and exterior doors.
Surface-mounted hinges are attached directly to the door and frame without cutting a mortise.
This approach:
Simplifies installation
Preserves door material
Is required for some hinge designs
Surface mounting is intentional, not a shortcut.
Most traditional butt hinges are designed to be recessed so that:
The door closes flush with the frame
The hinge does not force the door outward
Proper reveal and latch alignment are maintained
Installing these hinges without recessing usually causes poor fit or binding.
For many fire-rated and exterior doors:
Hinges are specified to be recessed
Flush seating is critical for performance and compliance
Door alignment affects sealing and safety
Always follow door and hinge specifications in these cases.
Some hinges are designed to be surface-mounted, including:
Strap hinges
T hinges
Decorative gate hinges
Recessing these hinges would be incorrect and unnecessary.
Most concealed cabinet hinges use:
A drilled cup in the door
Surface-mounted hinge plates on the cabinet
They do not require traditional mortising into the door edge or frame.
Piano hinges can be:
Recessed for a flush look
Surface-mounted for simplicity
Both methods are acceptable, depending on clearance and design needs.
Recessing helps:
Maintain proper clearance
Prevent rubbing or binding
Allow full opening angle
If a surface-mounted hinge pushes the door out too far, recessing may be necessary.
Thin or fragile doors may not allow safe mortising. In those cases, surface-mounted hinges may be preferred.
Recessed hinges:
Look cleaner and more traditional
Are often less visible
Surface-mounted hinges:
Can be decorative features
Are common in rustic or industrial styles
Recessing does not automatically make a hinge stronger, but it:
Improves alignment
Reduces stress from misfit
Helps hinges seat flat
Proper hinge size and material matter more than recessing alone.
Many hinges are specifically designed not to be recessed. Recessing the wrong hinge can weaken the installation.
While appearance is a factor, recessing often improves door function and alignment.
Surface-mounted hinges are perfectly appropriate when matched to the application and installed correctly.
Hinges do not always need to be recessed
Butt hinges typically should be recessed
Strap, T, and decorative hinges are surface-mounted by design
Concealed cabinet hinges use drilled cups, not mortises
Piano hinges can be recessed or surface-mounted
The correct method depends on hinge type, door design, and clearance
Hinges do not have to be recessed in every application. Recessing is essential for some hinge types, such as traditional butt hinges on standard doors, but unnecessary or incorrect for others, such as strap hinges, T hinges, and many cabinet hinges. The right choice depends on function, door construction, clearance requirements, and design intent. Selecting the correct hinge and installation method together ensures smooth operation, proper alignment, and long-term durability.
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