3 knuckle versus 5 knuckle butt hinges

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Author Message Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP, EDAC Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 380 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 - 04:11 pm:    If everything else is equal, what are the inherent quality differences between a 3-knuckle and 5-knuckle butt hinges that conform with BHMA A156.1 – Butts and Hinges? I see that 3-knuckle hinges tend to cost more, but this just may be becasue they are more rare. Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 503 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 - 04:14 pm:    IMHO, 3 knuckle hinges are stronger, last longer, less likely to bind or squeek over time, and are easier to hang and balance. Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 562 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 - 12:17 pm:    ANSI A156.1 provide three grades for hinges and pivots. Grade 1 - Heavy weight. This grade is assigned almost exclusively to hinges with four ball bearing units, one at each joint of the knuckles. Most hinges are provided as either three knuckle, having two commection points; or five knuckle, having four connection points. Grade 2 - Standard weight. Grade 2 is indicated for two, three, and five knuckle hinges which have only two ball bearing units. Grade 3 - Standard weight. Grade 3 are used for hinges with plain bearing, and pivots with nylon bearing. I have no comment on Nathan's statement, however my hardware consultant picked 5 knuckle as superior. Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP, EDAC Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 381 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 - 12:56 pm:    Thank you all for your responses. We had specified 5 knuckle heavy weight and 3 knuckle was submitted. Both 3 and 5 knuckle versions are available for any of the three ANSI grades and we wondered if there was any quantifiable difference. Between 4specs responses and discussions with hardware cponsultants we work with I have an almost perfect 50/50 split on individual preferences. I will leave it at that. Lee Murray (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Friday, October 04, 2013 - 05:09 pm:    We just spoke with our local favorite door hardware supplier. They said that there is no noticeable difference in performance, however the 5-knuckle are less expensive and more readily available. We are sticking with 5-knuckle in the office. Richard L Matteo, AIA, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: rlmat Post Number: 621 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Friday, October 04, 2013 - 05:53 pm:    Your hardware supplier is correct. The 3-knuckle hinge is cleaner, but more expensive. They use a different bearing than the 5-knuckle. Performance standards are basically the same.