Door closers
Finding the right door closer for your business isn’t only important for the convenience of everyone who walks through your doors. It’s also a key safety device for emergency preparedness. As such, you may be feeling the pressure to find the right model for your commercial or public space!
Here at Reliable Locksmith, we’re happy to share everything we’ve learned during our many years installing door closers on businesses around Minneapolis. Here’s our guide to choosing the right door closer for your needs.
What are door closers?
Door closers are mechanisms that control the swinging motion of a door with the use of a spring-loaded hydraulic system. They serve a variety of purposes, including:
- Preventing injury from accidental door slamming
- Preventing damage to the door and frame
- Keeping the door propped open for easy entry and convenience
- Maintaining a closed position when not propped open to prevent energy loss
- Some models are equipped with automatic door closing in the case of a fire emergency.
What are the most common types of door closers?
The first thing that you’ll notice when you start your search for commercial door closers is that there are many different kinds! In general, they can be divided into the following categories:
- Standard or Regular Arm Mount. This is one of the most basic designs for a door closer, in which the closer system is installed on the pull side of the door. The arm is attached at a 90 degree angle to the door frame above.
- Top Jamb. A top jamb door closer is very similar in appearance to the regular arm, the only difference being that it is installed on the push side of the door.
- Parallel Arm. Parallel arm door closers are installed on the push side of the door, but instead of the arm jutting out at a 90 degree angle, they lay parallel to the door.
- Track Arm. The track arm door closer is mounted to the push side of the door. Unlike the other options on the list, the track arm doesn’t open at an angle but instead moves back and forth along a sliding track that is installed on the door frame above.
Concealed overhead door closer. Concealed door closers are housed within the door frame so that the only visible part of the device is the arm when the door is open. Others conceal the arm as well so that the entire door closer is hidden from view.
Door closer grading
You’ll notice that door closers are graded on a scale of 3, 2, or 1. This refers to how well a certain door closer performed during testing that replicates the kind of everyday use the device will see in the real world. In the controlled setting, a grade 3 closer remained functional for up 500,000 cycles. Grade 2 closers can generally withstand somewhere around 1 million cycles. A grade 1 closer, which is the highest grade, was functional for up to 2 million cycles. For this reason, Grade 1 door closers are recommended for commercial settings with a lot of daily traffic.
Electrified or automatic door closers
Automatic door closers can offer an additional safety feature for fire doors. These closers are triggered by the presence of smoke or an alarm system that causes them to close in the case of a fire. They are mounted on fire rated doors which act as barriers to prevent the fire from spreading.
How much do door closers cost?
Because there’s a variety of different door closer designs and grades available, the prices for these devices fluctuate. Here are a few factors to keep in mind when estimating how much you might pay for a door closer:
- Design and grading. Standard door closers such as the Commercial Grade 3 Door Closer from Global Door Controls, will typically cost somewhere between $50 and $75 per unit. A Grade 1 concealed door closer or track door closer, on the other hand could cost up to $500 or more.
- Whether the door closer is fire rated. Door closers that have been cleared for use on fire doors will likely be more expensive than standard models. For instance, automatic fire door closers from Door Closer USA typically sell for between $200 to $400, but can easily reach up to $800 from other sellers.
Can you install a door closer yourself?
Basic door closers are not overly complicated to install. If you have a good knowledge of handywork, you could probably install them in your business. But, here are a few circumstances when it’s best to call in the pros:
- You’re not sure what kind of door closer you need for your space. As we’ve covered, there are many different styles of door closers. If you’re unsure of what’s appropriate for your space, your local locksmith can help you make the right purchase.
- You’re installing a door closer on a high-traffic door. If your door closer is going to be put to the test day-in and day-out, it’s best that a professional oversee the installment. This will ensure your chances of having no problems with the door closer functionality.
- You’re installing an electrified door closer on a fire-rated door. As a business owner or property manager, you want to make fire safety a top priority. You can give yourself peace of mind by relying on the pros for installing important hardware like door closers on fire doors.
- You want to make sure that your business will pass inspection. Even if you’re well-versed in the local building code, anything having to do with door closers and other hardware can get tricky. Don’t take a chance on not passing inspection by foregoing calling in a professional locksmith for a job like this!
Reliable Locksmith can help you with your door closers!
When you need a door closer for your commercial space, you can simplify the process by calling Reliable Locksmith here in Minneapolis. Well work with your business to make sure that every entryway is outfitted with the right door closers that will fit your budget and give you years of use!
Our Services
We provide a comprehensive range of locksmith services in Minneapolis. Serving Hennepin County, we can help you combat broken locks, install new locks, access homes and business premises when you’re locked out, and even provide replacement car keys on the spot.
We care for every one of our clients, and we’ll always do what we can to put you at ease. We’re a friendly team and enjoy our work – nothing makes us happier than solving your problems.
Plus, we provide cost-effective quality solutions. Our low prices will certainly be a pleasant surprise.