Hey everyone! I'm in a bit of a bind here. I need to swap out one of the hinges on my interior door for a self-closing hinge to pass a state inspection. The tricky part is that this hinge is attached to a hollow metal door frame, and I can't see any screws on the jamb side. It actually looks like the hinge leaf is completely obscured by the metal lip of the frame. I've shared some photos to give you an idea of what I'm dealing with.
I'm not sure if the hinge is welded (which would mean no screws) or if there are screws hidden behind the metal lip. Has anyone tackled something like this before? Here are my main concerns:
1. If it's welded, what's the best way to replace it with a self-closing hinge without damaging the frame?
2. If it's just screws that are concealed, would it be worth it to cut into the metal to reach them?
3. Any tips on figuring out if there are screws under there first?
I'd really like to avoid using a surface-mounted door closer for looks and keep the same hinge style if possible. Also, I can't just leave the existing jamb leaf since the new self-closing hinges don't work with a typical hinge pin.
Thanks a ton for any advice or experiences you can share!
3 Answers
I’ve not seen integrated hinges in metal frames often, but I’d try probing around where the hinge screws would typically be. Sometimes, they cover the screws with drywall mud or filler before painting it for aesthetics. It's worth checking if there's any concealment there!
Another option to consider is checking if that trim piece is metal or not. If it’s not, you might be able to peel it off and have a look at how the hinge is attached to the wall. Just a thought!
I'd recommend popping the hinge pin out and removing the door. This way, you can see if there’s any way to slide something back there to locate screws or bolts. It’s a bit of a challenge, but you might find a way to access it!
Sounds like it could be solid metal, though! If it is, I'd tap it gently to check and see if it's just a recessed hinge behind that steel lip.