24 October 2026 · AHIHQ Traders Team

Types of door hinges: butt, Oxford, Malpha and butterfly hinges

The main types of door hinges sold in Kenya are ordinary (butt) hinges for doors, windows and cupboards, Oxford hinges for wooden house doors, Malpha concealed hinges for kitchen and wardrobe cabinet doors, and butterfly hinges 4x3x3 in two-tone finishes. At AHIHQ Traders in Nairobi, in October 2026, a case of 50 dozen 2" ordinary hinges is KSh 6,960, a carton of 50 pairs of 4" Oxford hinges is KSh 7,975, and a carton of 100 pairs of normal Malpha hinges is KSh 5,800. All of them are sold wholesale by the case or carton.

Types of door hinges at a glance

Hinge Where it goes Sizes and finishes How it is packed Pack price (Oct 2026)
Ordinary (butt) hinges Doors, windows, cupboards, boxes 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3" Light, 4" Light, 4" Heavy Case of 15 to 100 dozen KSh 6,960 to KSh 10,875
Oxford hinges 4" Wooden house doors 4" (2.5mm), Brass or Chrome Carton of 50 pairs KSh 7,975
Malpha hinges Kitchen, wardrobe and vanity cabinet doors Normal, Big Bend, Small Bend, Hydraulic Straight Carton of 100 pairs KSh 5,800 to KSh 11,600
Butterfly hinges 4x3x3 Doors where a two-tone finish is wanted Silver and Black, Gold and Antique Carton of 100 pairs KSh 18,850 to KSh 23,200

What is an ordinary (butt) hinge?

An ordinary hinge, also called a butt hinge, is two flat leaves joined by a pin. One leaf is screwed to the frame and one to the door edge. It is the everyday hinge for flush doors, panel doors, casement windows and cupboard doors, and it is the one most fundis ask for by size alone.

The Knicker ordinary hinges come in six sizes. The small sizes (1.5", 2" and 2.5") suit cupboard doors, small windows and boxes. The 3" Light suits light internal doors and larger cupboard doors. For full-height house doors, choose 4", and pick the 4" Heavy where the door is solid or heavy.

Size Pack Pack price
1.5" Case of 100 dozen KSh 9,425
2" Case of 50 dozen KSh 6,960
2.5" Case of 50 dozen KSh 9,425
3" Light Case of 30 dozen KSh 7,615
4" Light Case of 15 dozen KSh 7,975
4" Heavy Case of 15 dozen KSh 10,875

Ordinary hinges are packed by the dozen, and a dozen hinges is enough for four doors hung on three hinges each. A full case is a stock quantity for a shop or a large site, not for one door.

What are Oxford hinges used for?

Oxford hinges are a butt hinge used on wooden house doors where the hinge is on show. The Knicker Oxford hinges are 4" (2.5mm) and come in Brass or Chrome, so you can match them to the door handles and locks.

They are packed in pairs. A carton of 50 pairs costs KSh 7,975 in either finish, which works out at about KSh 160 a pair. Most house doors are hung on one and a half pairs (three hinges), so check how many doors you are fitting before you order.

Malpha hinges: normal, big bend or small bend?

Malpha hinges are concealed cabinet hinges. The round cup sits in a hole drilled in the back of the cabinet door, and the arm screws to a mounting plate on the side of the cabinet. When the door is shut, the hinge is hidden. They are the standard hinge for kitchen cabinets, wardrobes and bathroom vanities made from board.

The bend of the arm decides where the door sits against the cabinet side:

  • Normal (straight arm): the door covers the full edge of the cabinet side. Use it on end cabinets and single cabinets.
  • Small Bend: the door covers about half of the cabinet side, so two doors can share one middle panel.
  • Big Bend: the door sits inside the cabinet opening, level with the front edge.
  • Hydraulic Straight: a straight-arm hinge with a built-in damper, so the door closes softly instead of banging.

The Knicker Malpha hinges are packed in cartons of 100 pairs. The Normal is KSh 5,800 (about KSh 58 a pair), Small Bend is KSh 10,875 (about KSh 109 a pair), Big Bend is KSh 11,600 (about KSh 116 a pair) and Hydraulic Straight is KSh 10,150 (about KSh 102 a pair). A kitchen carpenter will often need all three bends on one job, so many workshops keep a carton of each.

Where do butterfly hinges go?

Butterfly hinges are sold by the size 4x3x3, which is usually read as 4" long, 3" wide when open and 3mm thick: a door-size hinge. Check it against the door before you order a carton. The Knicker butterfly hinges are size 4x3x3 and come in two finish pairs.

A carton of 100 pairs in Silver and Black is KSh 18,850 (about KSh 189 a pair). Gold and Antique is KSh 23,200 (about KSh 232 a pair).

Which one should you buy?

Where to buy

Every line above is in the door furniture and locks section of the tools and hardware range. The range is sold wholesale only: each product is sold by its pack (carton, case, bag or bundle), never as a single piece. Prices quoted here are wholesale pack prices in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2026. Buy online or at the trade counter at Royal Business Park, opposite Complast, Old Mombasa Road, Nairobi, open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 17:30. Pay by M-Pesa or card. Delivery is KSh 350 flat anywhere in Kenya, and free on orders over KSh 15,000. For a trade quote, send your list through the trade page or on WhatsApp +254 724 505 919.

Related guides

Common questions

How many hinges does a door need?

Most full-height house doors are hung on three hinges. Light cupboard doors usually need two. Tall or heavy doors may need more.

Can I buy a single pair of hinges?

No. This range is sold by the case or carton only. If you need one or two pairs, share a carton with other fundis or buy it as stock for future jobs.

What is the difference between big bend and small bend Malpha hinges?

Big Bend sets the door inside the cabinet opening. Small Bend lets the door cover about half of the cabinet side, so two doors can share one panel. Normal covers the whole side.

What does a case of ordinary hinges cost?

In Nairobi in October 2026, a case of ordinary hinges costs from KSh 6,960 (2", 50 dozen) to KSh 10,875 (4" Heavy, 15 dozen).

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