Half hour fire door. I need a door closer... but which one? They seem to range from 5 to 100+ pounds but no indication as to why some are more expensive.
(Someone recommended a Gibraltar (Gibcloser?), how does this stack up to the others?)
Any suggestions?
TIA Colin
In simple terms they can be divided into spring (cheap) and hydraulic (mid-price to serious money).
Spring closers such as the Gibraltar rely on the door shutting with enough momentum to close the latch and can slam the door if not adjusted properly or the wind catches the door. But you can open and shut the door as for any other door. They are also sensitive to hinges that are sticking through misalignment, paint, dust etc.
Hydraulic closers have a powerful spring and rack and pinion mechanism with a hydraulic damper so the door is positively closed at a predetermined speed, no slamming. With most hydraulic closers trying to close the door yourself too quickly will rip the closer off the door.
Generally, they have two closure speeds - one for most of the travel and a separately adjustable final close, which allows for everything from an unlatched door to one with a really strong latch
Only if you have not mounted them strongly enough.
Colin Bignell
In message , Colin writes
When I had a garage built onto the side of my house and needed a fire door with a closer the BCO was happy with one that fitted into the frame and attached to the door on the hinge side with a small chain, this was enough to pull the door shut against the lock and close it. The big advantage was no large and obtrusive attachments to the door.
For interior or exterior doors?
The cheapest possible spring unit with a removable closing arm that you can remove once the BCO is over the horizon. Self closing doors IMO are a pain in the butt for anyone trying to carry something through the opening, or if children are involved. Of course I wouldn't recommend this course of action!
Regards Capitol
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