Door Closer: 10 Expert Guidelines To Guide Your Selection

Here are ten expert guidelines to help you select an appropriate door closer for your home, hotel, office building doors will be mentioned.

The security of a hotel room is always inseparable from several essential hardware: RFID hotel locks, room doors, and door closers.

Door closers play a significant role in hotel room security. You can automatically close the door for hotel guests after they enter the room to ensure safety of hotel guests.

This article will introduce door closers in detail.

What is the door closer?

A door closer refers to any mechanical device that closes the door in a controlled manner after someone opens the door or automatically opens it to prevent it from closing with a bang.

What is the door closer

When the door is opened, it can be compressed and released to close the door automatically. It acts as a spring-loaded door, ensuring that the door is closed to the initial position accurately and in time after it is opened.

There are two main types of mechanical door closers: pneumatic and hydraulic. Pneumatic doors are usually used for lighter doors (up to 20kg), while hydraulic ones are used for heavier ones (up to 35kg).

How does door closer work

The necessary components of hydraulic door closers include supporting guides, transmission gears, return springs, one-way valves, rack plungers, throttle valve cores and housings, end caps, sealing rings, and connecting rods. The shell and the connecting rod play the role of fixing the door closer and connecting the door leaf and the door frame.

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A door closer is a mechanical device that slowly and firmly closes the door to lock it. It is achieved by using the spring tension adjusted by hydraulic oil. When the user opens the door, hydraulic fluid flows from one reservoir to another.

The hydraulic oil flows back to the last tank through speed-controlled valves when the spring pushes the door to close again.

What are the advantages of a door closer?

The door closer’s significance is to automatically close the door and protect the frame and body (smooth closing). More importantly, the door closer has become an essential part of the intelligent management of modern buildings.

Door closers are mainly used in commercial and public buildings, but they are also used at home. They have many uses, the most important of which is to close the door by limiting fire and ventilation in the building.

Fireproof
Convenience
Privacy
Safe
Hygiene
Maintain room temperature
Energy-saving and emission reduction
Sound and noise control

1, Fire protection

Okay, this must be at the top of my list. As a passive fire safety professional, I think the door closing device is one of the most helpful toolbox devices.

Any door or opening in the firewall can cause damage, allowing fire and smoke to pass through. The fire may pass from one compartment to another and become more intense as the burning progresses.

It may also suffocate the smoke or toxic gases emitted from the fire, choke blind people trying to escape, and damage the building’s internal contents.

2, Safety

As hardworking and kind as we humans hope, the reality is that we are not very reliable at all. Insensitive environments such as pharmacies, banks, or anywhere where people hardly need additional security protection, you may find a door closer in a specific place very useful.

3, Keep the room temperature

Door closers also play a role in maintaining the required internal temperature and reducing air in and out of the conditioning space.

4, privacy

Some residents may forget to close the door behind them. This requires a particular type of closure-it that is light enough to allow a weak person to open it without pushing it hard, but it still needs to close correctly and completely.

5, health

In tropical environments, the door closers on the external screen doors can isolate bacteria that carry bacteria, flies, mosquitoes, and other pests outside the house, thereby improving hygiene.

When the door is kept closed, the smell of the commercial kitchen will be localized and will not spread to other rooms.

6, acoustics

Doors (especially fire doors) are suitable for reducing noise from one room to another. The more times these doors remain closed, the less noise is transmitted through the doors.

Of course, you can also take other measures to improve the acoustic performance of the door, such as installing batwing seals (located at the door frame rebate) or door sill seals (automatically descend from the bottom rail to the sill when the doors and windows are folded back) the door is closed.

What are the types of doors closer?

There are six styles of indoor door closers:

1, hydraulic door closer

Hydraulic door closers generally refer to door closers. The door closer is a spring-like hydraulic device on the door head. When the door is opened, it can be compressed and released to close the door automatically. It acts like a spring door and can ensure that the door is opened accurately and timely to the initial position.

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2, overhead door closers

You will usually find these door closers inside the office or front door.

However, if you do not have many visits throughout the day, you can use elevated doors at your business’s front door. This type of door closer is suitable for buildings with heavy traffic.

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The most popular types of overhead door closer arms are:

Regular arm door closer: located on the outside of the door; considered to be the most energy-efficient overhead door closer
top jamb door closer: usually used for glass storefront doors; a little power saving
Parallel arm door closer: traditionally used in commercial buildings and schools; low power efficiency

3, chain door closer

This door closer uses a spring installed in the hinge and is an integral part of its design. The spring can be visible or hidden in the tube and is more common in interior doors.

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When used on doors that open in both directions, they are called double-acting spring hinges. The self-closing hinge looks like spring but works like a closed door. It solves the gap problem and provides speed control in one component.

4, concealed door closer

Concealed fire door closers provide overhead door closers’ function but are installed in the door leaf and door frame. This type of installation is aesthetically pleasing and helps reduce vandalism, as most door closers are invisible.

They are available in spring or hydraulic versions on the market, and due to their lightweight, they are usually used for interior doors.

If installed on heavy commercial doors, they will not work floor spring doors closer appropriately.

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If you want to buy a more durable door closer, consider using a floor spring door closer. They are ideal for a busy business. Therefore, if your business attracts traffic throughout the day, you need to buy it.

Floor spring door closers are usually used for glass doors and are installed on the floor to keep them hidden. A rod in the closure is installed on the underside of the door to control the closing action.

They have the most attractive appearance and are mainly used in high-end commercial properties. They also have an open setting so that they can remain open.

5, surface mounted door closers

Surface-mounted door closers are manufactured to be installed in the door frame, and a crossbar can be installed on the back of the door. They are small and can match the color of the door.

They are installed in the frame of the door and the bar on the back of the door.
Surface-mounted door closers are a cost-effective choice for other types of door closers. Another benefit is that they are easy to install.

6, electric door closer

Electric door closers are also called automatic door closer releases, electric releases, etc. It is a mechanism that realizes the automatic closing of the door leaf through electric control. Electric door closers are different from hydraulic fire door closers.

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They combine the functions of an electromagnetic release and non-positioning door closers into one. There are solenoid valves and powerful springs inside. The springs are compressed when the door is pushed and locked by the solenoid valve to keep the door in a normally open state.

The solenoid valve is released and closed by the spring’s rebound impact without buffer function when power is supplied.

How to choose a door closer?

When choosing a door closer, the factors that should be considered are the door’s width, the frequency of opening the door, the user requirements and the use environment, etc. The width of the door is an essential factor in choosing the door closer model.

Standard doors include fireproof, wooden, aluminum alloy, Glass, and steel doors. Usually, the door’s weight is small, so choose the model with less power and vice versa.

The frequency of door opening is a factor closely related to product quality. For frequent use occasions, the product should be required to have good sealing performance and long life.

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The following is a list of information you need to know before ordering door closers:

Inner door or outer door?
Did swing leave or right?
What are the size of the door and door closer?
Frequency of use
Fire safety rating
Delayed action
Door closing speed and locking speed.
Pivot hinge or butt hinge?
What is the door made of? Wood? Hollow metal? Glass, and aluminum?
If there is Glass, what is the size of the piece of material to close the door? floor spring door closer

1, Where is the door?

Is the door internal or external? These issues are significant because some door closers can only be installed on the opening door. A sharp angle bracket needs to be purchased separately to install it on the outward opening door.

Please make sure that the door you choose can be installed where the door is.

Inside door

Look for door closers with doors; the side-pull installation is still the standard installation in Figure 1. It is usually installed on office doors, attic renovations, or kitchen doors, and a door closer should be installed on the door.

Open the door outward.

Find a door closer with a push-in side installation. Examples that require this kind of cooperation are:

-On the outer door that opens outward (to make the door in the building closer and not affected by the weather)

A door that opens to an area where all other entries are spread differently (if the sliding door is installed on the pull-out surface, it will be the only door that shows the sliding door, which looks strange).

The shutter must be placed in a safe area for safety doors that open outwards to prevent tampering or disassembly.

2, What are the dimensions of the door and door frame?

Check the door and door frame’s width and height because heavier doors will require a more robust entry closer. If the door frame is narrow, you may need to consider installing a hidden door closer or checking the door’s position closer. For example, you might need to install it on the beam.

3, What size door closer do you need?

The size of the door closer is required on the size and weight of the door. Door closers usually have variable heights to suit the weight and size of various entries. When the door is installed near the fire door, its minimum power must be EN3 to comply with the EN1154 standard.

The power is related to the foot and weight, as shown below;

4, How often do you use the door?

You need to consider how often you use the gate to determine the performance category you need. The performance categories are divided into the following three categories.

Locations such as hospitals, schools, shopping centers, and the like will be considered high usage.

5, Fire Safety

Door closers are an essential part of controlling fire and smoke:

Door closers marked with CE indicate that the product is suitable for a specific purpose and meets all legal fire protection requirements.
They must be installed correctly and well maintained.
They should not include mechanical opening devices. If you need to maintain the open function, you must consider connecting the electromagnetic door closer to the building’s fire alarm system.
All the above factors can help save lives in a fire.

6, Delayed action

This option allows the door to remain open for a specified time.
The door should then be closed at an adjustable speed to allow wheelchair users or people with large objects to pass safely.

7, Closing speed and locking speed

The adjustable closing speed determines the speed of closing the door after opening. This function allows a longer closing time, enabling the disabled, the elderly, or the young to pass safely.

The door closer has an adjustable latch speed, and the closing speed can be adjusted at the last few closing angles. This is separate from the primary closing speed adjustment. They can be set to accelerate or decelerate in the last few inches.

Door closer installation

Although many work in similar ways, there is no universal door closer. Therefore, follow the instructions that come with your door closer. If you can’t find them, you can also get many of these manuals online by searching for the brand and model.

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Below are some general guidelines to help you prepare for the job. Improper installation may cause property damage and personal injury.

1. Gather your tools

The necessary tools may include a tape measure, hole punch, pencil, screwdriver, monkey wrench, and drill bit. To

2. Choose a location

Carefully determine where you plan to install the shutter. When closing the door, make sure that there is enough space for your arm to rest on the opposite wall. Mark the hole you plan to drill with a pencil

3. Close to installation

With holes marked, use a drill to create holes for the screws. Reposition the shutter and tighten it.

4. Put on the arm

Install the separate components, then connect the two parts and the preloaded spring. Tighten the included screws. To

5. Adjust the dial screw

This is only necessary when trying to open the door holding device. Adjust the adjusting screw to the desired fixed position.

6. Test and adjust

After finishing the installation, let’s test if the door is closed.

Open the door, and then release the washing machine. Remember, we have preloaded it. If your door closer includes a spring-loaded quick-release washer, it will

automatically remove when you open the door.

Close your door. It should close smoothly and safely.

7. Adjust the tension

If your door does not close, or the speed is too fast or too slow, you can adjust the tension on the door closer.

There is a tension screw on the front of the door closer. Turn the screw counterclockwise about the door faster or harder. Turn the screw clock wisely; the slower it turns off.
Seasonal adjustment

Some door closers also have seasonal adjustment functions.

The door closer is set with glass windows in the standard installation position.

If you remove the window in summer, the door will be lighter. You can solve this problem by fixing it to the door bracket using the second pinhole on the tube.

door closer dimensions (no content)

How much does it cost to install a door closer?

The price of door closers fluctuates from company to company-each company’s operating expenses and expenses are different.

Try to get the price in the early winter, and late fall-you should wait for the contractor’s off-season to get a substantial discount.

Try to budget and add 7-15% of the cost to install the door closer to the maximum price provided by our calculator.

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Installing a door closer is not an easy task, and it will make your back pain. You may find it more cost-effective to hire a general contractor to perform the work for you.

The general contractor is always better than novices in installing door closers. So, without the extra cost of door closer materials, shop around and ask neighbors if they can recommend someone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoXstF7fjms

How To Install A Commercial Door Closer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoXstF7fjms)

Door closer installation video

Door closer repair

After installing a new hotel room lock and access control unit on the door, you may notice that the door is not entirely closed or other functional issues of how the door closer allows the door to swing when opening or closing the door.

Sometimes these problems are related to temperature. Sometimes it is caused by the chimney’s pressure inside the building, and sometimes the access control operator is damaged or worn.

Door closer troubleshooting

1. If there is a hinge problem, the warped door or the door must be rotated uphill to close. The closer door can only solve the problem. Sometimes, the door must be repaired before being automatically closed and locked.

2. If the door closer stops closing the door before it is entirely closed or rebounds when trying to close the door manually, it may be that the arm is incorrectly mounted on the shaft. Download the instructions from the door closer manufacturer’s website and check that it is installed correctly.

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3. If the arm makes a sound and bounces up and down when the door moves, please tighten the tightener that brings the arm close, the header, and the steering knuckle that fix the two parts of the arm together.

door closer, not closing all the way

Open the door and slide out the stopper to keep the cylinder open
Loosen the screws securing the bracket to the door, then move the frame further out (toward the door handle).
Or remove the pin that secures the cylinder to the bracket and move it to a different hole.

The door closer is not working.

The door closer’s failure is likely to be caused by the oil leaking, and the door closer cannot complete the opening and closing, resulting in the inability to work typically. Another possibility is that the door’s quality is low and has reached its own service life.

door closer hard to open

To slow down the closing speed, turn the screw at the end of the cylinder clockwise.
To speed up the closing speed, turn the screw counterclockwise.

Door closer, not closing

If the door closer stops closing the door before it is entirely closed or rebounds when trying to close the door manually, it may be that the arm is incorrectly mounted on the shaft. Download the instructions from the door closer manufacturer’s website and check if it is installed correctly.

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Door closer dead stop

If your door closer has the following conditions, you need to replace it with a new one.
If oil leaks near the door, please discard it and buy a new one.
If your door closer is hitting the door and other adjustments cannot be made, it may be that the fluid is leaking or the valve seal is worn. Either way, your best option is to replace it.
If the door closer has no spring tension and the spring tension regulator keeps rotating, the spring is broken, and the door closer must be replaced.

Tools needed: rust remover, grease gun, O-ring (o-rings), pliers, adjustable wrench, screwdriver.

1. Oil leakage at the supporting guide, remove the supportive guide and check the sealing ring condition. If worn or aging, replace the sealing ring.

2. The gap between the supporting guide and the pinion shaft is too large; replace the supportive guide.

3. The guide cylinder of the rack plunger is worn out, the fit-gap between the valve body increases, and the throttling effect decreases. The rack plunger can be removed and repaired by chrome plating on the surface.

4. Also, under the condition of ensuring the door closer’s buffer effect, using a softer spring is also a way to reduce the impact force of the door on the door frame due to the deterioration of the buffer effect.

5. If your door is not entirely closed, you need to adjust the bracket. Loosen the screws securing the frame to the door and move the rack further toward the door handle. Retighten the screws and check that the door is completely closed.

If you still can’t, try to remove the pin that secures the control arm to the bracket and then move it to a different hole.

6. If there is rust, please use rust remover and lubricate the door with a grease gun. Old door closers exposed to outdoor components may require lubrication to resume regular operation.

7. If the door’s closing speed is too fast or too slow, you need to turn the speed adjustment screw. To reduce the closing rate of the door closer, turn the screw clockwise. To increase the speed, turn the screw counterclockwise. To prevent the door from closing, you need to use the latch adjustment screw to adjust the latch speed.

(Content retention reference)

How to adjust the door closer?

If you are opening the door or opening too fast or too slowly, it may be time to adjust the door’s distance. Just the proper steps and a little time.
Tools: screwdriver, hex key, or small wrench.

1. Strength adjustment method

There are many ways to adjust the door closer, and different models are different. Some are simple and complex. When revising, we must perform specific operations according to the purpose of the adjustment.

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For example, we need to adjust the door’s power closer because improper power may cause a lot of noise when closing the door. The specific method is this: first, find the screw corresponding to the adjustment force and then adjust it with a screwdriver.

Generally, tighten it to reduce the closing force, and relax it to increase the closing pressure. So, choose according to the size of your own home. If the size is small, you must tighten it. If the door is too heavy or oversized, it should be loose. Try a few more times to find the feeling.

2. Speed adjustment method

The purpose of the second type of adjustment is speed. The adjustment of the rate is similar to that of strength. If the force is greater, the speed will be faster, and if the power is small, the speed will be slow.

However, some door closers have special speed-adjusting screws. In this case, they need to be adjusted with screws that control the force. You must first change the door’s power closer, then find the screw to adjust the speed and rotate it according to the instructions.

Make sure to see which side is fast and which side is slow. If you are not very familiar, it is recommended to be small. Adjust and confirm after a few more attempts.