Everything You Need to Know About Door Closers

Doors are one of the most important components of building design and security. They are the first layer of protection against intruders or unwanted guests, so it’s essential to invest in the right door closers to ensure the effective closure and locking of your doors.

Door closers come in many different types, each with its own features and benefits.

In this article, we will discuss these different types of door closers, their benefits, how to adjust them for optimal performance, and how to fit them correctly.

We’ll also explain why it’s important to choose a door closer that is suitable for your environment. For more information about door closers and other architectural ironmongery products, visit Smart Choice Security.

Overview of door closers

Doors are one of the most important components of building design and security. A door closer is a mechanical device that automatically closes a door after someone opens it, ensuring it is securely shut and providing an extra layer of protection against intruders or unwanted guests.

Door closers come in various shapes and sizes to fit different types of doors and are typically made from aluminum or steel for durability.

The purpose of a door closer is two-fold: to reduce the spread of air drafts or odors and help keep doors secure.

By controlling how quickly the door closes and how much force is needed to open it, door closers can minimize the air that escapes from one room to another while keeping your home or business safe from intruders.

When selecting a door closer, choosing one suitable for your environment is important.

The size and weight of the door will determine what type of closer you need - heavy-duty models are better suited for heavier doors, while lightweight models may be more appropriate for lighter doors.

Additionally, adjustable spring tension allows you to control how quickly the closing action takes place - too little tension can cause slamming doors, while too much tension can cause difficulty opening the door.

In summary, investing in quality door closers helps you maintain security in your home or business while effectively controlling temperature changes between rooms by minimizing air drafts and odors.

When choosing a model for your needs, consider the size and weight of your doors and the adjustable spring tension if available so that you can achieve a smooth closing action each time.

Benefits of installing a door closer

The installation of a door closer can bring many benefits to any home or business. Not only will it help to reduce energy costs by making sure that doors are kept securely closed, but it also provides improved security for those inside the premises.

Furthermore, door closers can reduce damage to walls and doors caused by slamming and decrease noise levels due to prolonged open doors.

When selecting a door closer to installation, it is important to consider the environment in which it will be used to maximize performance.

Adjusting spring tension is necessary so that the closing action is smooth and neither too slow nor too fast.

By taking these factors into account when installing your door closer, you can enjoy all of its benefits without any negative consequences, such as increased energy bills or security risks. With proper care and maintenance, your door closer will last you many years while providing peace of mind knowing that your home or business premises are always secure!

Types of door closers

Door closers are an important part of any building’s security and energy efficiency. They come in many different types, each suited for different environments. In this section, we will discuss the various types of door closers available, their features, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Overhead Door Closer

The most common type of door closer is the overhead door closer. This type is installed above the door frame and works using a spring-loaded arm to close the door after it has been opened.

The arm moves up against the frame when opened, then springs back down to close the door once released. It is adjustable and typically uses a mounting plate that requires screws or bolts for installation.

Overhead closers offer great flexibility as they can be used on lightweight or heavy doors with varying sizes, and they are also relatively easy to install and adjust.

Concealed Closer

Another popular type of door closer is the concealed closer, which is hidden within a pocket in the wall or frame so that it does not take up space on either side of a doorway as an overhead model would.

A concealed closer uses a pinion gear mechanism with adjustable power levels that move two metal plates against each other to pull open, and push closed the door; this allows for more precise control over how quickly or slowly you want your doors to open or close.

Concealed closers are ideal for narrow corridors where space may be limited, but security still needs to be maintained as they do not protrude from either side of a doorway like an overhead model would.

Floor Spring Door Closers

Floor spring door closers are designed to mount directly onto the floor beneath a doorway rather than above it, as overhead models do.

Floor spring closers use hydraulic cylinders that release their tension when triggered by pressure from opening a door; this causes them to swing shut behind you easily without taking up any extra space around your doorway like overhead models do.

Floor spring closers are most commonly used with fire doors because they can make sure that all escape routes remain closed during an emergency situation – preventing smoke from entering them – while still allowing people easy access if necessary.

Additionally, these units have adjustable tension levels so you can control just how quickly or slowly you want your doors shut behind you without manually adjusting them every time you leave or enter a room/area.

Overhead Slide Arm Cam Action

The Overhead Slide Arm Cam door closer is a type of door-closing mechanism that utilizes a combination of an overhead slide, arm, and cam action to control the closing and latching of doors. This mechanism is commonly used in commercial buildings, offices, and public spaces to ensure controlled and efficient door operation.

The overhead slide-arm cam door closer consists of several key components. First, there is an overhead slide mechanism that is typically mounted on the door frame or the top of the door. This slide mechanism allows the door to move smoothly and is controlled during opening and closing.

Attached to the overhead slide is an arm that extends from the slide towards the door. The arm is responsible for transmitting the force from the slide to the door to initiate the closing action. It is designed to pivot or rotate, allowing it to move the door in the desired manner.

The cam action is an integral part of the door closer mechanism. It consists of a specially shaped-cam component and a follower. The cam is designed with an uneven profile or contour that creates a specific motion pattern when the door is closed.

The follower, attached to the arm, tracks the shape of the cam and translates its motion into the controlled movement of the door.

The cam action of the door closer provides several benefits. It ensures a smooth and controlled door closing, preventing slamming or abrupt movements. The cam profile can be customized to control the speed and force of the door closing, allowing for adjustable closing speeds based on specific requirements.

The overhead slide-arm cam door closer is typically equipped with additional features such as adjustable closing speed, latching speed, and backcheck functionality. These features provide further control and safety by regulating the door's closing speed, preventing it from slamming shut, and providing resistance against strong winds or external forces.

Overall, the overhead slide arm cam door closer is a reliable and effective mechanism for ensuring controlled and efficient door closing in commercial and public spaces. It combines the benefits of the overhead slide, arm movement, and cam action to provide a smooth, adjustable, and secure closing operation.

Gate Closers

Gate closers are mechanical devices designed to control the closing of gates in a controlled and secure manner. They are commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings to ensure that gates automatically close after someone passes through, preventing unauthorized access and enhancing security.

Gate closers typically include a spring-loaded mechanism attached to the gate and the gate post or frame. The closer mechanism is designed to exert a force on the gate, gradually closing it when it is released.

The operation of gate closers is fairly straightforward. When the gate is opened, the closing mechanism is compressed or tensioned by the gate's movement. Once the gate is released, the stored energy in the closing mechanism is released, causing the gate to close under controlled force.

Gate closers come in various types, including hydraulic gate closers, pneumatic gate closers, and mechanical spring gate closers. Hydraulic gate closers use hydraulic fluid to control the speed and force of gate closing, providing smooth and controlled operation. Pneumatic gate closers utilize compressed air to achieve similar effects. Mechanical spring gate closers rely on the tension of the spring to control the gate-closing action.

Gate closers are designed to be adjustable, allowing users to regulate the closing speed and force according to their specific requirements. This adjustability ensures that the gate closes at a safe and controlled pace, preventing accidents or damage caused by slamming gates.

Gate closers often have additional features to enhance their functionality and security. These features may include adjustable closing speed, closing force, and latching speed. Some gate closers also incorporate a hold-open feature, allowing the gate to be temporarily held in an open position if needed.

Gate closers are commonly used in various gate applications, including pedestrian, garden, driveway, and commercial or industrial gates. They provide convenience, safety, and security by ensuring that gates are consistently closed after use, preventing unauthorized access and enhancing property protection.

Overall, gate closers are essential components for maintaining controlled access and security in residential, commercial, and industrial environments. They offer reliable and adjustable closing mechanisms that contribute to the smooth operation and longevity of gates while improving overall safety and security.

When selecting any door closer, there are certain features you should consider in order to determine which one best suits your needs: size (length), mounting style (overhead vs concealed vs. floor mounted), power (spring tension), setting range (how much force is needed to move it), adjustability (whether it can be adjusted at all), weatherproofing (whether it provides some protection against extreme temperatures).

Additionally, if you need increased protection from the smoke entering escape routes during emergencies, then choosing floor-mounted units specifically designed for fire doors might be best, as these can provide maximum closure time during such events while still allowing easy access when needed.

How to adjust a door closer

Maintaining a door closer is a key element for making sure the smooth functioning of the mechanism. Adjusting the spring tension screw is typically how this process begins, as this dictates how much force is required to close the door.

It's important to be mindful when making any adjustments - too much tension could cause the door to shut quickly and hard, while too little can lead to it closing slowly or not at all.

Additionally, you should also adjust your door closer for proper latching.

This will ensure that when closed, there are no gaps between the frame and door; using a standard latch is strongly recommended over electric models due to their ease of adjustment and lack of needing hard wiring.

Safety must always be kept in mind during the adjustment process - make sure nobody stands directly behind or in front of the closing door, as this could result in serious injury if something goes wrong.

Once you've made all the changes, double-check from both sides that everything works properly before declaring success!

Fitting a door closer

Fitting a door closer is a critical step in guaranteeing the ideal performance and endurance of your door closer.

Taking the time to select the best model for the task is essential, as it will decide how well it works, its sturdiness, and how easy it is to modify or replace.

The initial step in fitting a door closer is taking measurements and finding out the size of the frame.

Most closers have adjustable arms, so be sure to measure from the top of the frame down to where you want the arm to be placed before selecting your closer.

This will guarantee that you get an appropriately sized arm for your application.

After that, mark and drill holes for hinges - making sure these are large enough for screws with enough clearance around them so they do not interfere with other components during installation.

Once your hinges are set up, attach your picked door closer via screws into pre-drilled holes on each side of the frame. When putting in a concealed model, ensure enough room between surfaces for operation.

Once secure in place, you can adjust the spring tension by turning its adjustment screw clockwise until the chosen level of resistance or tension when opening or closing is achieved.

Excessive or insufficient tension should be avoided as this can lead to issues like doors not closing correctly or slamming shut, which may result in injury or damage.

Last but most importantly, always make sure all parts function properly before considering a job complete. If something isn’t quite right, go back through every step until all adjustments are finished, and satisfactory results are accomplished!