Norton Door Closer Arm Explained

Which door closer arms is best for your door? 

Norton 8000 Door Closers is a medium duty, multi-sized, surface door closer offering a complete range of arms and a sleek, minimal design suited for moderate to high-traffic, architectural openings.

Click here to view the latest Norton 8000 Series Catalog.

Regular Arm

Regular Arm Pull Side:

This is the only pull side application where a double lever arm is used. It is the most power-efficient application for a door closer. Sufficient frame, door and / or ceiling clearance must be considered. Since the arm points directly out from the frame, this application may present an aesthetic issue or be prone to vandalism.

Norton 8301 Regular Arm, Pull Side, Slimline Cover

Norton 8501 Regular Arm, Pull Side, Full Cover

Available Products:

Norton 1601 Medium Duty Surface Closer

Norton 8501 Surface Closer, with Full Cover

Norton 410 Cast Iron Surface Closer

Regular Arm Push Side, Parallel Arm:

This application provides the most appealing design appearance for a surface mounted door closer having a double lever arm. This also makes it beneficial in vandalism-prone areas. It is on the push side of the door and the arm assembly extends almost parallel to the door. In the closed position, there is very little or no hardware projecting beyond the frame face in most situations. 

Due to the geometry of the arm it is approximately 25% less power efficient than a regular arm application. The entire closer and arm assembly are mounted below the frame stop. Top rail clearance dimensions will vary based on the type of cover used.

Norton 8301 Parallel Mount, Slimline Cover

Norton 8501 Parallel Mount, Full Cover

Regular Arm Push Side, Top Jamb Mount:

For efficiency reasons this application provides the best alternative to the regular arm application. There must be sufficient frame face and/or ceiling clearance for this application. It requires a top rail on the door of just 2-1/4" (57mm). This application provides the best door control for doors in exterior walls that swing out of a building.

The entire door closer and arm assembly project from the frame, similar to the regular arm application, where matters of appearance and malicious abuse can be of concern. Consideration must be given to depth of frame reveal.

Norton 8301 Top Jamb Mount, Slimline Cover

Norton 8501 Top Jamb Mount, Full Cover

Parallel Rigid Arm

An enhanced variation of the standard parallel arm assembly that is intended for use in heavy traffic areas where auxiliary door stops are installed.

Norton PR8501 Parallel Rigid Arm, Non Hold Open Shown 

Closer Plus Arm

Similar to the Parallel Rigid arm, this arm incorporates a stop at the arm’s soffit plate to dead stop the door at a predetermined degree of door swing between 85° to 110°, in 5° increments. Prior to dead stop the door closer’s backcheck feature slows the door speed to reduce the impact of the stop action. 

The CloserPlus Arm is intended for use where an auxiliary door stop cannot be utilized and no more than moderate abuse is anticipated. Where more extreme conditions are expected, use of a Unitrol arm is recommended.

Norton CP8501 Closer Plus Arm, Non Hold Open Shown 

 Closer Plus Spring Arm

This arm has all the characteristics of the CloserPlus arm with an additional steel buffer spring that provides greater protection at the end of the door opening cycle. For extreme conditions, use of a Unitrol arm is recommended. Available with or without hold open. 

Norton CPS8501 CloserPlus Spring Arm 

Closer Plus Ramp Arm

The CLP-R uses a patent pending ramp and plunger design that easily slides into place reducing wear often seen on traditional hold open arms. Ideal for applications where the door will constantly be pulled out of hold open.

Norton CloserPlus Regular Arm 

Regular Rigid Arm

This double lever arm features a non-adjustable secondary arm. Orbitally riveted joints prevent tampering or disassembly. 

Available non-hold open only.

Norton R8501 Regular Rigid Arm 

Parallel Rigid Offset Arm

This heavy-duty parallel rigid arm provides additional vertical clearance. It is well suited for applications where weather stripping or other hardware prevents the use of the standard Parallel Rigid (PR) soffit plate. 

The non-hold open and hold arms allow 1-1/4" clearance. When used in conjunction with a 6891 spacer block, the PRO arm provides 1-7/8" clearance to accommodate the use of a surface overhead stop / holder.

Norton PR8501 Door Closer Arm 

Unitrol Arm

Can be used for either parallel arm or top jamb applications. Unitrol arms combine the features of a double lever arm overhead door stop / holder with the backcheck feature of the door closer to reduce door stopping shock loads to a minimum. 

The Unitrol uses a compression spring buffer at the soffit plate / arm shoe that will absorb 30 lbs. of force, 5° prior to the door’s dead stop. Coupled with the door closer’s backcheck feature, this arm provides the most controlled stop available with a surface door closer. 

For parallel arm applications there are three different length arm assemblies. Each length is designed for a specific range of door widths, to provide precise door control. This further lessens the dead stop impact on the door’s hinges/pivots.

Norton UNI8501 Unitrol Arm, Parallel Mount

Norton UNI8501 Unitrol Arm, Top Jamb Mount

Slide Track Arm

Whether pull or push side mounted, slide track applications provide the designer with the smoothest lines available in a surface mounted door closer. The single lever arm allows components to be located in a stack configuration to minimize projection and eliminate obtrusive arm angles. 

The arm geometry reduces door closer power efficiency by approximately 25% from that of a regular arm.

Norton 8501ST Slide Track, Pull Side

Norton P8501ST Slide Track, Push SIde

Low Profile Slide Track Arm

Norton 8541ST Low Profile Slide Track, Full Cover, Pull Side

Norton P8541ST Low Profile Slide Track, Full Cover, Push Side

Low Profile Arm

Low profile arms have a reduced height elbow joint and a straight main arm. This enables the door closer to be installed in less vertical space.

Supplied with 8381 / 8581 series door closers for non-hold open installations only. 

Norton 8581 Low Profile Arm, Regular Mount

Norton 8581 Low Profile Arm, Parallel Mount

Norton PR8501 Parallel Rigid Arm, Non Hold Open Shown