RELIABILT Door Hinges
RELIABILT door hinges in 3.5" and 4" sizes for interior and exterior doors. Square and radius corner options.
RELIABILT door hinges are sold in 3-packs at Lowe's, priced from $8 to $18 per pack depending on size and finish. Standard 3.5" x 3.5" hinges fit interior doors, while 4" x 4" hinges are for heavier exterior doors. Available in square corner and 5/8" radius corner to match different door prep styles. Finishes match the knob line: satin nickel, matte black, aged bronze, plus plain steel for painted applications.
Each 3-pack includes the hinge leaves, pins, and mounting screws for one complete door. When replacing all hardware in a room, budget one hinge pack per door alongside your knobs and door stops in matching finish.
Which Size Do You Need?
| 3.5" x 3.5" | Standard interior doors up to 1-3/8" thick and under 60 lbs. Most hollow core and light solid core doors. 3 hinges per door. |
| 4" x 4" | Exterior doors, heavy solid core interior doors, and doors over 60 lbs. Also for 1-3/4" thick doors. 3 hinges per door. |
| Square Corner | 90-degree corners on the hinge leaf. Requires square-cornered mortise in the door and frame. Most common in newer construction. |
| 5/8" Radius Corner | Rounded corners on the hinge leaf. Matches routed mortises common in older homes and some manufactured doors. |
How to Choose RELIABILT Door Hinges
Measure your existing hinges before ordering. The two dimensions that matter are height (3.5" or 4") and corner style (square or 5/8" radius). Remove one hinge from the door and measure the leaf from top to bottom. Check whether the corners are sharp 90-degree angles or rounded.
Standard interior hollow-core doors use 3.5" x 3.5" hinges. Heavy solid-core interior doors and all exterior doors use 4" x 4" hinges. Each door requires three hinges. Buy in 3-packs to get exactly one door's worth per pack.
Match the hinge finish to your knobs or levers and door stops. If you plan to paint the hinges to match the door or trim, buy plain steel hinges instead of finished ones. Painting over a factory finish often results in peeling.
When replacing hinges on an existing door, bring the old hinge to the store or measure it carefully. Installing a square-corner hinge in a radius-corner mortise (or vice versa) leaves visible gaps around the hinge leaf that look unprofessional and can affect door alignment.
Quick Installation Tips
When replacing hinges on an existing door, swap one hinge at a time. This keeps the door supported while you work. Remove the old hinge, set the new hinge into the existing mortise, and drive the screws. Repeat for each hinge.
If the new hinge is slightly smaller than the old mortise, the hinge will sit too deep. Shim behind it with thin cardboard until the leaf sits flush with the door edge. If the new hinge is larger, you will need to deepen or widen the mortise with a sharp chisel.
For new door installations, mount hinges on the door first, then hang the door in the frame. Use a wedge or shims under the door to hold it at the correct height while you mark and mortise the frame side.
Common Problems and Fixes
| Door squeaks | Remove the hinge pin by tapping it out from below with a nail and hammer. Apply white lithium grease or silicone spray to the pin and knuckle. Reinsert the pin. Repeat for all three hinges. |
| Door swings open or closed on its own | The door frame is not plumb. Shim behind the top or bottom hinge to correct the lean. Alternatively, adjust the hinge pin: remove it, place it on a hard surface, and tap a slight bend into the middle with a hammer. The friction will hold the door in place. |
| Screws stripped in the frame | Fill the screw holes with wooden toothpicks and wood glue, let dry, then re-drive the screws. For a stronger fix, replace short hinge screws with 3" screws that reach into the wall studs. |
Long-Term Care for Door Hinges
Lubricate hinge pins once a year with white lithium grease or silicone spray. This prevents squeaking and reduces wear on the knuckle joint. Avoid WD-40 as a lubricant since it evaporates quickly and attracts dust.
Check hinge screws annually. Doors that are opened and closed many times a day (kitchen, bathroom) loosen hinge screws faster. Tighten any loose screws immediately to prevent the door from sagging, which leads to latch misalignment and rubbing on the frame.
If a finished hinge (satin nickel, matte black, aged bronze) shows wear on the knuckle, it is purely cosmetic and does not affect function. Clean with a soft dry cloth. Do not use metal polish, which removes the factory finish.
For exterior doors exposed to weather, inspect hinges for signs of corrosion at least twice a year. Even finished hinges can develop rust on the pin if moisture penetrates the knuckle joint. Replace corroded hinges promptly, as a weakened hinge on an exterior door is a security concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace one hinge at a time, or do I need to replace all three?
You can replace individual hinges. However, if you are changing finishes (for example, from brass to matte black), replace all three at once so they match. If replacing for functional reasons (stripped screw holes or worn knuckle), one at a time is fine.
What is the difference between square corner and radius corner hinges?
The difference is the shape of the hinge leaf corners. Square corners have sharp 90-degree angles and fit square-routed mortises. Radius corners (5/8" round) fit mortises cut with a router that leaves rounded corners. Check your existing door prep to determine which you need.
Do RELIABILT hinges come with screws?
Yes. Each 3-pack includes the mounting screws for all three hinges. The included screws are standard short wood screws. For exterior doors or heavy solid-core doors, consider upgrading to 3" screws for added strength in the door frame.
Pair hinges with matching knobs and door stops in the same finish. For new door installations, see our doors guide. Cabinet hinges are a different product, covered in our cabinets guide.