The short version: We make money when you buy hardware we link to. We only link to hinges and hardware we'd actually use, and our rankings are never for sale. If we ever recommend something, it's because it earned the spot — not because it paid for it.
What an affiliate link is
StainlessSteelHinges.com is a free resource. To keep it free, we use affiliate links. When you click certain product links on this site and make a purchase, the retailer pays us a small commission. The price you pay is exactly the same as it would be otherwise — the commission comes out of the retailer's margin, not your wallet.
You are never obligated to use our links. If you'd rather search for a product directly, that's completely fine. But if our guides helped you find the right hinge, using our links is a free way to support the work that goes into them.
Programs we participate in
We currently earn commissions through the following affiliate programs. This list may grow over time as we add more retailers and manufacturers.
Amazon Associates
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Most of our product links point to Amazon, where the majority of stainless steel hinges, fasteners, and hardware kits we cover are sold. Amazon prices and availability change frequently, so always confirm the current grade, size, and price on the product page before you buy.
Home Depot & Lowe's
For larger hardware, door systems, and installation supplies, we also link to The Home Depot and Lowe's affiliate programs. These are useful when you want to pick up an item in-store or buy in bulk for a job.
Specialty & industrial suppliers
For commercial, marine, and industrial-grade hardware that the big-box retailers don't carry, we may link to specialty hardware brands and industrial suppliers through affiliate networks such as Impact. These links follow the same rules as every other link on the site.
How we choose what to recommend
Our editorial decisions come first; monetization comes second. Specifically:
- We rank products by how well they fit a specific job — load rating, steel grade, finish, and corrosion resistance for that environment.
- A higher commission never moves a product up a list. If a 316 hinge is the right call for a saltwater dock, we say so, even if a cheaper 304 hinge would pay us the same.
- If we haven't used a product or researched it thoroughly, we don't pretend otherwise.
- When two products are genuinely close, we tell you the trade-offs instead of forcing a winner.
It costs you nothing extra
This is worth repeating because it's the most common misunderstanding about affiliate links: using our links does not raise your price. The retailer pays the commission; you pay the same price you'd pay walking in off the street.
Questions
If anything here is unclear, or you want to know whether a specific link is an affiliate link, we're happy to tell you. Reach us through our contact page.