How to install a continuous hinge in 14 minutes

This is a frequently requested instructional video showing the actual installation process for a full surface continuous hinge. The video is 14 minutes long. It will take longer than that to perform an actual installation, but hey, made you look!
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A+ Safe & Lock
501-450-0441
The audio track is off a bit. I'd like to say I originally did the presentation in spanish and added an English audio track, but it was just a video encoder glitch. Just cover my lips when they are on screen and you won't notice. :)

[@brohansolo4122]

Haven't done one in years. Excellent refresher for me, thanks boys!

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks for taking a look BroHan, glad you found it useful!

[@six2fourU]

Thank you for showing a full install. I now feel more comfortable doing this install for my employer.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks for watching, glad you found it interesting!

[@jasonblazen9140]

Man what an awesome video. This has helped me tremendously.Thanks for taking the time .

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks Jason, glad you found it useful!

[@vijayjoshi6158]

Awesome!! I’ve done 4 and love it it’s such a great application.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Glad you enjoyed it and I'm glad you are installing them. When installed correctly, they are an excellent investment for your customers and a great source of revenue for you!

[@stevebranham2599]

through bolts ,Excellent tip . I was going to use self drilling screws to install my camper door but this is much better ,thanks

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks for watching Steve, I'm glad you found it helpful. Through bolts are the only way to go on the leaf side of this type of hinge!

[@skygh]

Yup that is what I needed to see. Thanks

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks for watching, glad you found it useful!

[@leskavage]

Really well done. Thank you.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks for checking out our video JD, I'm glad you found it useful!

[@rdwals122456]

Awesome video liked the penny trick 👍

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks Wags, glad you found it useful!

[@arkansasfacilityservicesaf6245]

Great video!

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks, glad you found it useful!

[@StayHandyLA]

Great Video, very helpful to a job I just looked at today. I have a question. What is your set up for videoing and audio? Your video and audio was great on this video!

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Glad you found it useful! I'm not too fancy, I used a Zoom H1N recorder with a cheap lapel mic and a cell phone. Audio got out of sync on the file export and I didn't have time to fix it!

[@iamalexkennedy]

I usually mount the hinge flush to the top of the door first then place it in the door way and use wood shims at the bottom of the door and then mount it to the frame. I find it easier that way. Either way works.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

That's a great tip Alex, thanks for sharing it!

[@markmerz8594]

Nice job on the install. A guy just quoted me $3800 to do 2 door plus a expanded kick plate. seems high

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks for watching, glad you found it interesting!

[@18rmiller18]

definitely installed by the owner of the station.

[@weejohnbb]

What stops someone from removing the cover and all the bolts from the frame side? I would think a couple of rivets would help. Never installed one of these, thanks for taking the time to make and upload your video.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Hi weejohnbb, great question! That cover is very difficult to remove once it is snapped on. It would have to be cut the entire length of the hinge and then all of the screws would have to be removed. If someone went to all this effort without being stopped, I suspect that drilling out a few rivets would not substantially inhibit them.

[@weejohnbb]

@@Aplussafeandlock yeah, I guess when you put it like that, a couple of rivets is not much of a deterrent.

[@lonniemarisabowles4436]

You could also put your threw bolts on outside and screws on inside for the threw bolts.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

@@lonniemarisabowles4436 Yes, this is the prescribed method for installation.

[@adamjones9600]

For exterior application, is a full surface or a full mortise a more secure option? I'm thinking with regards to someone tampering. I see you used through bolts here, which leads me to believe the full surface one is the better choice?

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Hi Adam, thanks for checking out our video! Either option is very secure. However, be aware that a full mortise hinge will not retrofit on a standard door and frame. The door must be manufactured narrower to accommodate the hinge. This is why you will often find the full mortise versions in new construction, while the surface versions are popular for retrofit applications like this.

[@adamjones9600]

@@Aplussafeandlock okay great, I am building a bus into a motorhome and custom fabricating the door, so I'll have control over measurements fortunately. I went ahead and purchased a full mortise as I prefer the cleaner look. Thanks a lot!

[@Aplussafeandlock]

@@adamjones9600 then you have a perfect contender for full Mortise, and I agree about that aesthetic! Good luck!

[@Ruben_something]

👏👏👏

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks, glad you found it useful!

[@briansauro5104]

Need the specs on the though bolts. I have 4 of 12 double doors need this done. Great video.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Hi Brian, thanks for checking out our video! I don't have any specs for the bolts, but they ship with the hinge when you purchase the item. I do know they won't work on a door thinner than 1 3/4".

[@briansauro5104]

@@Aplussafeandlock yeah I've been fighting with these doors for quite a while. And just recently found out about the continuous. After your video I feel confident in my mechanical abilities. Where can I get this hinge in satin with bolts?

[@Aplussafeandlock]

@@briansauro5104 we ship them nationwide. What is the height of your doors?

[@briansauro5104]

@@Aplussafeandlock I need 2 83" ship to Waco Texas

[@Aplussafeandlock]

@@briansauro5104 we sell the full surface 83" HD hinges as seen in the video for $295 each which includes shipping. If you are getting 2, we can knock it down to $275 each. Call me at 5014500441 or email me at [e-mail] and we can discuss the details!

[@stevedo-zr5uu]

This is SL57 hinge model. But is it standard duty or heavy duty model. I'm trying to figure out which one to order.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Probably HD, that's generally what I stock. Installation is the same regardless.

[@chadrowland5234]

Most storefront doors have pivots. To be honest, I just don't have any love for door pivots. I'm sorry but that is just one of the plague items that I try to avoid. Every time a pivot breaks down or wears out, you have to take the door closer loose, take the door down, lay it on a pair of sawhorses, repair and/or replace the pivots, put the door back up...only to have it do it again within the year. The more you fight with door pivots, the more upset you get. At the roller skating rink that I used to work at, we had door pivots and within a year, they were already broken. I replaced them with conventional butt-hinges...just your standard knuckle style hinges and that door worked perfectly until the place closed permanently in 2019. I avoid door pivots like they are the plague.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Yes sir, that is exactly why we encourage continuous hinges whenever we are called out to a broken pivot!

[@chadrowland5234]

@@Aplussafeandlock I sometimes like to call continuous hinges "piano hinges" because pianos often have the same type of hinge but smaller. The security of continuous hinges is way better than that of pivots. And, continuous hinges are safer for children than pivots because the gap is closed. My sister's storm door had pivots and they were broken within the year and the door was sagging. I went over to her house and installed the Allegion Ives continuous hinge on her storm door and it has been working perfectly ever since.

[@randyjones7460]

Continuous hinge can be installed on inside edge of door

[@Aplussafeandlock]

You are absolutely correct Randy, a concealed/mortise version is edge mounted, but it requires the door to be slightly narrower than the width of a standard prep door. In the case of failed pivots or hinges, we opt for the full surface to avoid having to replace the entire door. The concealed hinges are also not as tolerant to a frame that is out of square or plumb, which we often find in the field!

[@stavbar1234]

What's the going rate? Or like a price range that's fair

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Hi Steve, thanks for taking a look at our video! As is the case with many services, prices vary depending upon the market. The application affects the pricing as well. Our rates to install a continuous hinge start at $300.

[@SweetStickyStuff]

where to purchase the hinge

[@Aplussafeandlock]

We sell them and can drop ship them to you. Aluminum finish in the 83" length is $225 including shipping. Feel free to contact me for additional options and information! [e-mail]

[@guillermomerced9575]

How about a frame that starts settling after a year of proper installation. What would fix that ?

[@Aplussafeandlock]

If the frame itself is settling, there are usually structural problems with the foundation. This is beyond our area of knowledge, and I believe you will probably be best served by a building contractor or foundation repair company.

[@guillermomerced9575]

@@Aplussafeandlock thanks.

[@AbouDany70]

Great video can I give the part # if possible thanks in advance

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Glad you found it useful! This is a Select SL57. Good luck!

[@IamEqualtoall]

Wished I had watched your video first. I forgot the 1/16" (penny) shims inside the hinge. Drilled 16 @ 6mm through bolts in addition to all the 3/8" holes for the sex bolts each 1/16" too close to the hinge on a stainless steel door.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

IamEqualtoall I'm really sorry to hear that, it sounds like a nightmare! I hope you are able to find a satisfactory solution to resolve that without having to replace the door.

[@IamEqualtoall]

@@Aplussafeandlock wollowed the holes on hinge face side only towards the edge of the door. Taped washers to assist with shim before tightening any hardware. Since the hinge covered all holes nothing lost but some time and maybe some tears. I'll go on the record saying, "Drilling through stainless isn't fun!" Thanks for the video guide an the hinge installation!

[@Aplussafeandlock]

@@IamEqualtoall I'll second that, Stainless is no fun! Glad you were able to modify and make it happen.

[@Rockenstein68]

This is a good video, I going to need to do this for a customer, why do people always want to use the door you’re working on!

[@Aplussafeandlock]

@@Rockenstein68 I hear you buddy! If you have a door open, lots of people assume you are holding it for them. I just smile and say "You're Welcome!" You never know who might be a future customer! Thanks for taking a look at the video, and I'm glad you found it useful.

[@AbouDany70]

Sorry for the typo, brand name and part # if possible

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Thanks for checking out the video. This is a Select SL57. They come in various lengths to accommodate your door.

[@dansamuelson6689]

What about the other door?

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Hi Dan, thanks for the question! The customer did not request any services for the other leaf on this job.

[@lonniemarisabowles4436]

Do you just use 1 penny. One at the top,middle and bottom.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Hey there Lonnie & Marisa, thanks for checking out our video! Yes, we place one penny for the space, and usually one at the bottom and top is sufficient. If the frame is warped, that can require some adaptation!

[@lonniemarisabowles4436]

Yes that's what I did. The job took about 45 mins and it looks awesome. Thank you for your Video.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

@@lonniemarisabowles4436 Awesome, thanks for the update!

[@SweatyMan80085]

This videos is fake. Not one customer pushed through the opening you were working on.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Crap, you caught me! 🤣🤣🤣

[@DirtyDeeds403]

Dear God, put the hinge on the door first....

[@randyjones7460]

The opening and doors are all the same no matter what type of hinge pivot etc this door is seriously unsecure it would take seconds to drop the door and gain access to store

[@Aplussafeandlock]

If you retrofit a full mortise/concealed continuous hinge on a 3'0"/7'0" door that was originally prepped for butt hinges, the door will be moved away from the hinge edge of the door approximately 1/4" by the two leaves of the continuous hinge, causing the opening edge of the door to strike the frame and bind, if it can even be closed. Consequently, when concealed continuous hinges are specified in new construction, the width of the door is undercut to accomodate this. Manufacturer's instructions highlight this fact by noting that total width clearance needed for the installation of a full surface hinge is 3/16", while total width clearance needed for a concealed hinge is 1/2". From a technical perspective, openings and doors are not all the same regardless of hinges and pivots. The type of hinge and pivot used on an opening directly affect the size of the door to be used with the corresponding frame.

[@jessicavasquez1023]

Randy I can assure you that dropping that door from the outside in "seconds" is not possible. Removing the frame side cover takes quite a bit of time to do so, it fractures into pieces as you are removing it and is very stubborn.The door side sex bolts are designed to spin out under drilling pressure on the exterior assuming you're able to get it started on the round tops. The weakest link on this particular door assembly is the actual lock cylinder itself.The second weakest link is the actual glass, although this glass is usually tempered so it doesn't shatter like it does in the movies.

[@Aplussafeandlock]

@@jessicavasquez1023 Excellent points, thanks for sharing your insight!

[@jessicavasquez1023]

A+ Safe & Lock LLC Adam I should also clarify my name is Rafael. I have been a Locksmith for 22 years. 13 years for a locksmith company providing outside services and 9 years as a Institutional Locksmith for a large medical facility with 16 hospitals and over 130 ambulatory buildings. I just happened to come across your video while on my soon to be wife's iPad. I will be subscribing to your channel because as you well know, you can never know enough people in this ever changing profession. I will be checking out some of your other videos. Have a great day!

[@Aplussafeandlock]

@@jessicavasquez1023 Thanks Rafael, its a pleasure to meet you!

[@teelowteelow356]

Your audio is horrible

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Yes, that's what the description says. Thanks for checking it out!

[@lobuenoylomalo.9477]

do anybody knows how much around it would cost to install one of this .. exactly like this...

[@Aplussafeandlock]

Hello, thanks for checking out our videos! We install these locally starting at $600 + tax including materials.