Key Specifications of Waterson Garage Door Hinges Include:
- Door Height: Up to 6 ft (2 pcs) / 7 ft (3 pcs) / 8 ft (4 pcs)
- Door Weight: Up to 150 lbs (2 pcs) / 260 lbs (3 pcs) / 330 lbs (4 pcs)
- Gate Thickness: 1 ⅜” to 2 ¼”
- Material: Stainless Steel SS304 - SS316 available on selected models
- Finish: Satin Stainless Steel (US32D), Flat Black (US19), Satin Brass (US4), Dark Satin Bronze (695). Custom finishes available
- Type: Mechanical Self-Closing (A-C) or Hydraulic Soft-Closing (B-D)
- Features: Fire Rated (A-B Models), Hold Open (C-D Models)
- Application: Residential garage doors, multi-family garage doors, service access door,storage garage doors, utility doors.
How Many Hinges Does a Garage Door Need
Door size and weight determine hinge count:
- 2 hinges for doors ≤ 60″ or ≤ 150 lbs
- 3 hinges for 60–90″ or 150–260 lbs
- 4 hinges for 90–120″ or 260–440 lbs
Waterson heavy duty garage door hinges are available in configurations supporting up to 440 lbs, ensuring balanced tension across tall or insulated garage doors.r
Why Should Garage Door Hinges be Self Closing and Soft Closing?
Garage entry doors (the door between the garage and the house) should be self-closing first, and soft-closing second. These two functions solve different problems: code compliance and everyday safety.
Why the door should be self-closing
- Required by many building and fire safety codes (NFPA 80) for attached garages
- Helps contain fire and smoke, typically for at least 20 minutes
- Prevents toxic fumes and carbon monoxide from entering living spaces
- Ensures the door is never left open by accident
And why the door should be soft-closing, too:
- Prevents door slamming caused by airflow or pressure differences
- Reduces noise compared to standard spring hinges
- Protects fingers, especially for childre
- Minimizes long-term damage to the door, frame, and hardware
In short, self-closing meets the safety requirement. Soft-closing makes the door safer, quieter, and more livable in daily use. And at Waterson, we imply these two features in just one single hinge.
How to Adjust Garage Door Hinges
Waterson’s tool-free tension design allows precise control over closing speed and force.
- Use a 3 mm hex key to fine-tune spring tension.
- Adjust swing range and latch speed independently (on DS hydraulic models).
- Verify that the door latches completely without excessive resistance.
This flexibility ensures your self closing garage door hinges stay code-compliant and consistent across seasons or changing humidity levels. Watch the Adjustment Video here.
Best Garage Door Hinges for Commercial and Residential Applications
Waterson self closing garage door hinges are tested to ANSI/BHMA A156.17 and UL 3-hour fire rating standards. Their stainless steel bodies withstand heat, corrosion, and continuous operation in demanding commercial settings.
- Self-closing & soft-closing mechanics: no separate door closer required.
- Adjustable tension & speed control: tailor closure to door weight.
- Fire-rated for 3 hours UL compliance: safety and peace of mind.
- Heavy-duty stainless steel SS304/316: for indoor or outdoor use.
- Hybrid mechanics: mechanical or hydraulic damping options.
- Corrosion-resistant finishes: black, silver, gold, bronze.
- Easy retrofit installation: fits standard butt hinge prep.
- Architect-grade design: quiet, flush, and built to last.
How Often Should Garage Door Hinges Be Maintained
Inspect garage door hinges every 6 months for wear, corrosion, and closing performance.
- Lubricate pivot points if under heavy use.
- Check hinge tension and re-tighten screws as needed.
- Replace any hinge showing deformation or rust.
Waterson’s stainless construction minimizes maintenance cycles and ensures long-term durability even under outdoor exposure.
Waterson Garage Door Hinge Common Applications
- Residential garage doors
- Attached garage entry doors
- Commercial garage doors
- Industrial facility access doors
- Service entrances & utility doors
- Parking structures & basement entries
- Mechanical & electrical rooms
- Workshop or storage area doors
- Office or mixed-use building garages
- Fire-rated garage doors
- Black garage door hinges
- Silver garage door hinges
- Gold garage door hinges
- Bronze garage door hinges