How Do Door Closers Work?

If you’re seeking added security measures for your business, you may have encountered the term door closers. While this tool may seem relatively self-explanatory given its straightforward name, there are a number of considerations you should undertake before purchasing automatic door closers. 

These include size, material, and price. 

Before we delve into the specifics available on the market, let’s explore a bit more about door closers and how door closers work. 

How Do Door Closers Work?

Door closers serve a variety of purposes, from fire safety to overall security. As the door closes, the apparatus closes and latch doors in controlled speed and function. While mostly deployed in commercial spaces, you can also use door closers at your home for extra protection. 

What is the Purpose of a Door Closer?

While we’ve discussed broadly that door closers are primarily used for safety, let’s break down how they prevent accidents or unsavory events from occurring at your home or place of work.

Sealed Fire Doors

For fire doors to be effective, they must be totally closed at any and all times. These doors allow you, your staff, and customers to exit your property or home safely while containing the fire and associated smoke. 

Without a door closer, however, your fire door capabilities can be compromised, leading to unnecessary risk and an unsafe exit strategy. With a door closer, however, the fire door will be closed completely through the automated arm mechanism, ensuring that the door maintanis efficacy. 

Prevents Slamming 

Door closers also ensure a controlled door. Equipped with a damper feature, the force and speed of a door’s closed is maintained at a steady level. If you have heavy doors at your property, you will want to ensure that you use a door closer to prevent the door from slamming shut and injuring someone. 

Steadies Door Open

A fast-swinging heavy door can not only pose a safety risk to individuals on your property, it can also damage the surrounding area, including door frame, walls, and other nearby property. 

An automatic door closer controls any fast-swinging movements, whether due to weather or an individual throwing a door open. 

By protecting your property against these fast movements, you ensure occupant safety, as well as structural. 

Additional Security

In addition to protecting your property from a number of physical harms, a door closer also adds an additional level of overall security. Given that the door closes securely after an individual pases through, your door will be closed to any unwanted individuals. 

Which Door Closer is Right for Me?

While there are a variety of door closers on the market, there are four that top the popularity list. These include:

• Concealed door closers
• Overhead door closers 
• Floor-spring door closers
• Surface-mounted door closers 

Below, we dive into these four door closers in detail. 

Concealed Door Closers 

Not in love with the aesthetics of the door holders you’ve seen online or in-person? We totally understand. 

If you’re in the market for a door closer that is less visible, a concealed door closer is the right choice for you. Fitted discreetly into the recesses of the frame this type of door closer is virtually invisible. 

While these closers are perfect for interior doors, we don’t recommend using them on heavier doors as they are not meant to support the associated weight. If you’re looking to install door closers in your office for increased peace and quiet, this is the door closer for you. 

Overhead Door Closers

Anytime you’re in a store and look up, there’s a good likelihood you will encounter an overhead door closer. The most common door closer, these are most often found in an office or a commercial front door. 

Ideal for buildings with medium traffic, overhead door closers are built to manage an average amount of foot traffic throughout the day. 

These door closers come with a variety of arms, depending upon your needs. The most popular arm types include:

Regular Arm

Located on the door’s exterior, this arm is the most power-efficient overhead door closer. This arm is right for you if you’re looking for something in your office or commercial setting. 

Top Jamb

If you have glass storefront doors, this is the door closer arm for you. 

Parallel Arm Door Closer

You’ll find these arms in commercial buildings and schools. Overall, these are less power-efficient. 

Floor-spring Door Closers

If your business earns a lot of foot traffic, you’re going to want a door closer that stands up to the test of many swings. 

Floor-spring food closers are perfect for the business with much traffic. And since the appearance of your property is probably near and dear to your heart, this option is much more aesthetically pleasing. 

Typically used with glass doors, these door closers are installed in the floor on your door’s hinge side, making them less visible than their counterparts. 

Surface-mounted Door Closers 

A close-second in popularity to overhead door closers, surface-mounted door closers are pretty ubiquitous. These door closers are fitted into a frame and include a bar on the back for stability. 

One of the many benefits of this door closer is its camouflage capabilities. When you purchase this closer, you can select a color that either matches or complements your door.

Easy-to-install and cost effective, these closers are perfect for your business. 

Now that you’re familiar with the various types of door closers and how door closers work, it’s time to make your selection. 

At Trademark Hardware, we offer door closers in every color and style imaginable. Experts in all things hardware, we’re standing by to answer any of your questions. 

Check out our door closers today!