Gas strut hinge (each)

Gas Strut Hinge for Ottomans, Toy Boxes & Lift-Up Furniture

The Gas Strut Hinge is designed to assist the opening and closing movement of suitable ottoman lids, upholstered storage stools, toy boxes and other lift-up furniture sections.

Available in 100N and 180N force options, the gas-assisted mechanism provides controlled force as the furniture lid moves through its opening and closing cycle.

It is used for furniture manufacture, professional upholstery, refurbishment and replacement work where a compact gas strut lid mechanism is required.

For an alternative spring-assisted arrangement, compare the BT-C09 Ottoman / Stool Spring-Loaded Lid Hinge.

Available in 100N and 180N Options

The Gas Strut Hinge is available in two force ratings:

• 100N
• 180N

The Newton rating describes the force produced by the gas strut.

A higher rating means greater force, but the correct option cannot be selected from lid weight alone.

Performance is also affected by:

• Lid dimensions
• Finished lid weight
• Centre of gravity
• Mounting position
• Distance from the main hinge pivot
• Opening angle
• Number of struts fitted
• Furniture geometry
• Direction of installation

A 180N strut should therefore not simply be treated as the automatic choice for a heavier lid.

For other moving furniture hardware, see the Hinges & Mechanisms range.

Suitable for Ottomans, Storage Stools and Toy Boxes

Gas strut hinges can be used on a range of suitable lift-up furniture applications, including:

• Upholstered storage ottomans
• Storage footstools
• Toy boxes
• Blanket boxes
• Storage benches
• Window-seat storage
• Upholstered storage furniture
• Lift-up furniture panels
• Furniture restoration
• Replacement gas strut applications

Where the project includes new upholstery or refurbishment, browse the wider Workroom Supplies range for associated furniture-making materials and fixings.

Allow for the Finished Upholstered Lid Weight

When selecting a gas strut, assess the finished upholstered lid, not simply the bare timber or board panel.

A completed lid may include:

• Timber or fibreboard
• Upholstery foam
• Polyester wadding
• Fabric or vinyl
• Buttons
• Decorative trim
• Internal lining
• Reinforcing timber

Each of these materials contributes to the final weight and centre of gravity of the lid.

For upholstered storage tops, choose the required padding from the Foams & Fillings range.

Where foam is being used beneath the finished cover, browse Foam Sheets for upholstery foam suitable for stool tops, seat pads and furniture panels.

To soften the foam edges and create a fuller upholstered finish, add Polyester Wadding over the foam.

Polyester wadding should be bonded to the foam using Status Fabrics Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive. This keeps the wrap securely positioned, prevents shifting or bunching while the cover is fitted and helps create a smooth, consistent finished surface.

Gas-Assisted Lid Movement

A gas strut uses pressurised gas to produce force through its operating stroke.

When correctly selected and positioned, this force can assist the movement of a furniture lid and reduce the effort required to lift or control it.

The actual effect depends heavily on leverage.

Changing the mounting position can alter:

• Opening assistance
• Closing resistance
• Final opening angle
• Initial lifting force
• Compression at the closed position
• Load transferred into the furniture frame

This is why gas strut selection should be based on the complete installation rather than the Newton rating alone.

Planning the Lid and Furniture Frame

The lid, furniture frame, upholstery and gas strut should be considered as one complete assembly.

Before upholstery begins, check that the bare lid:

• Sits squarely on the furniture frame
• Opens without twisting
• Has adequate rear clearance
• Reaches the intended opening angle
• Has suitable structural mounting points
• Does not foul the furniture sides
• Provides enough internal room for the gas strut

For suitable furniture panels and templates, browse Cardboard & Fibreboard.

Where strengthening or repair work is required before upholstery begins, suitable furniture adhesives can also be found within PVA & Hot Melt Adhesives.

Fix to Sound Structural Material

Both ends of the gas strut must be secured to material capable of supporting the forces created by the moving lid.

Do not rely solely on:

• Thin upholstery board
• Decorative fibreboard
• Base cloth
• Upholstery fabric
• Foam
• Weak or damaged timber

Before installation, inspect the furniture frame for:

• Split timber
• Loose joints
• Enlarged screw holes
• Thin mounting sections
• Previous repairs
• Staples
• Existing screws
• Webbing
• Springs
• Reinforcing rails

Where the frame itself requires repair or additional furniture hardware, browse Fixings & Brackets for associated furniture fixings and connectors.

Why Mounting Position Matters

Gas strut performance can change considerably depending on where the two mounting points are positioned.

Before drilling permanent holes, establish:

• The main lid pivot
• Closed position
• Fully open position
• Required opening angle
• Strut compression
• Available mounting depth
• Internal clearance
• Structural fixing points

Temporary trial fitting is particularly useful on new furniture designs.

The lid should be supported independently during trial fitting and adjustment.

Check Internal Clearance

The complete mechanism needs enough room to move freely through its operating range.

Check clearance around:

• Gas strut body
• Moving rod
• Mounting brackets
• Main lid hinge
• Upholstery fabric
• Polyester wadding
• Foam
• Internal lining
• Furniture rails
• Stored contents

The strut should not rub against fabric, foam or lining material at any point during operation.

Keep Upholstery Clear of Moving Parts

Loose upholstery material can become caught around a gas strut or mounting bracket.

Fabric, wadding or lining trapped in the mechanism can become:

• Pinched
• Torn
• Cut
• Pulled into a moving component
• Wrapped around the strut
• An obstruction preventing full opening or closure

For internal furniture finishing, browse Hessian & Lining Cloths.

For a neat concealed underside or internal finish, Black Dipryl/Corovin is commonly used on furniture bases and concealed upholstered areas.

Keep the lining cut clear of the gas strut and retain access to the mounting screws wherever future servicing may be required.

Upholstery Staples for Furniture Linings

Base cloth, Corovin, wadding and other upholstery materials are commonly secured to timber frames using suitable upholstery staples.

Browse Staples & Tacks for furniture fasteners or the dedicated Upholstery Staples range for suitable staple lengths and series.

The staple must match the tool, material thickness and timber construction.

Do not position staples where they could interfere with the gas strut fixing screws, mounting brackets or moving mechanism.

Tools for Gas Strut and Furniture Installation

Accurate measuring and careful installation are particularly important with gas-assisted furniture mechanisms.

Browse Professional Upholstery Tools for measuring equipment, hand tools, staple guns, tackers and other workshop equipment used during furniture manufacture and repair.

When working around existing upholstery, suitable staple removers and tack lifters can make it easier to expose the original furniture frame without unnecessarily damaging surrounding materials.

Gas Strut Hinge or BT-C09 Spring-Loaded Hinge?

The BT-C09 Ottoman / Stool Spring-Loaded Lid Hinge provides an alternative method of assisting suitable lift-up furniture lids.

The BT-C09 uses an integrated spring mechanism, while this product uses a gas-assisted strut.

The correct system depends on:

• Existing furniture construction
• Lid dimensions
• Finished lid weight
• Required movement
• Available mounting space
• Existing hinge position
• Opening angle
• Original mechanism

Where repairing existing furniture, matching the original mechanism and mounting arrangement is normally the most practical starting point.

Replacing an Existing Gas Strut

When replacing a worn or damaged gas strut, compare the original fitting carefully before ordering.

Check:

• Newton rating
• Overall length
• Closed length
• Mounting arrangement
• Fixing positions
• Direction of installation
• Existing brackets
• Operating travel
• Required opening angle

A replacement can look very similar while producing a noticeably different result if the dimensions or force rating are different.

Where possible, retain the original gas strut until the replacement has been selected.

Finishing an Upholstered Ottoman or Storage Stool

Once the lid mechanism has been correctly fitted and tested, the furniture can be finished with suitable upholstery materials.

A typical upholstered storage lid may combine:

• Foam Sheets for the main padded layer
• Polyester Wadding for a softer, fuller finish
• Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive for bonding the wadding securely to the foam
• Hessian & Lining Cloths for suitable internal lining applications
• Black Dipryl/Corovin for concealed base and underside finishing
• Upholstery Staples for securing suitable upholstery materials to timber
• Professional Upholstery Tools for fitting, measuring and workshop assembly

This creates a much more useful route through the Status Fabrics range for customers building or refurbishing a complete piece of storage furniture.

Important Considerations for Lift-Up Lids

Any lift-up furniture lid can create pinch and trapping points.

When designing, manufacturing or repairing a storage stool, ottoman or toy box, consider:

• Finished lid weight
• Closing movement
• Finger-clearance gaps
• Opening support
• Children using the furniture
• Sharp mechanism edges
• Upholstery around moving parts
• Whether the lid could close unexpectedly
• Condition of the furniture frame

Support the lid securely while fitting or adjusting the mechanism.

After installation, operate the completed lid slowly through its full range and check that the gas strut, main hinge and mounting points remain secure.

Gas strut hinge for assisting the opening and closing of suitable ottoman lids, storage stools, toy boxes and other lift-up furniture sections.

Available in 100N or 180N force options, allowing the mechanism to be selected according to the furniture design, lid weight, mounting position and required movement.

Use it for furniture manufacture, upholstery, repair and replacement work where a compact gas-assisted lid mechanism is required.

For an alternative spring-assisted mechanism, see the BT-C09 Ottoman / Stool Spring-Loaded Lid Hinge or see the Hinges & Mechanisms range.

For associated upholstery materials, explore Cardboard & Fibreboard, Hessian & Lining Cloths and the wider Workroom Supplies range.

Supplied individually.