How to Choose Door Closer
Door closer is a mechanical device mounted to a door that will assist with automatically closing a door for security,privacy and maintenance of temperature control.While this device may appear fairly simplistic,it is actually one of the most difficult pieces of hardware to work with.If you choose a closer that is too powerful for your door,it will slam the door and shut noisely with great force.If you choose a closer that is not powerful enough,the door may not be closed and latched correctly.When choosing a closer,consider factors such as size(power),mounting,application and special functions etc.,so you can find the right closer for your doors.
Door Closer Size
When speaking about closing force, we say that a door closer is of a certain size. Door closer size does not refer to actual dimensions, but to spring strength. From the practical viewpoint, door closers are available in sizes 1 to 6 – 1 being the weakest and 6 capable of exerting the strongest closing force.
- Size #1 = 2 pounds of closing force, minimum 4. Size #4 = 8 pounds of closing force, minimum
- Size #2 = 3 pounds of closing force, minimum 5. Size #5 = 11 pounds of closing force, minimum
- Size #3 = 5 pounds of closing force, minimum 6. Size #6 = 14 pounds of closing force, minimum
A size 4 closer is usually recommended for an exterior, 3-foot wide door, whereas a size 3 closer is deemed appropriate for an interior door of the same dimensions. The assumption here is that the exterior door is more likely to be expected to close a door against a wind or negative or positive air pressure. Anyhow, the size of door closer is mainly depended on the width and weight of the door, details as follows:
| Door Closer Size | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | |
| Interior Door | Door Width (mm) | 850 | 950 | 1100 | 1200 | 1500 |
| Door Weight (kg) | 25-45 | 40-65 | 60-85 | 80-120 | 100-150 | |
| Exterior Door | Door Width (mm) | 800 | 850 | 950 | 1100 | 1200 |
| Door Weight (kg) | 15-30 | 25-45 | 40-65 | 60-85 | 80-120 | |
Depending on whether the closing force can be adjusted, door closer is divided into Adjustable Door Closer and Fixed Size Door Closer.
Many of our most popular door closers have an adjustable Spring/Power setting.
Example: for our door closer Model No. KC1400-16, it is one of KC1400 series listed with a Spring Size of 1-6, adjustable through the Power range of #1 (2pounds of force) to #6 (14 pounds of force).
If the door closer is non adjustable Spring/Power, meaning it is a Fixed Size, usually, there is no way to adjust the door to open or close lighter/stronger.
Normally the standard adjustable door closer will be set at size 3 before ex-factory.
Depending on different mounting method, door closer can be classified into surface mounted door closer and Concealed Door Closer.
Surface mounted closers are installed on the surface of the door and frame, and are highly visible. They are the more economical for the two options and also the easiest way for installation. Concealed closers are mounted within the door and are not visible when the door is closed. They are much more expensive and difficult to be installed than surface-mounted units.
Mounting of Overhead Door Closers
Overhead door closers are the most common, and they’re widely used throughout commercial properties. For example, interior doors in offices, conference doors, they are typically affixed with a door closer that automatically closes the door. Additionally, commercial front doors are also installed with a closer unit, and overhead units are a popular choice. There are four common mounting types of overhead door closers as below:
- Regular Arm Mounting: The regular arm, or standard arm, closer is with a pull-side application, meaning it is located on the exterior of the door. In these applications, the arm is consist of main arm and forearm, forearm attached to the frame and main arm to door closer body on the pull-side of the door. When the door is closed, the main arm is perpendicularly from the door, which is less attractive than other applications. This is the most power-efficient option available.
- Top Jamb Mounting: Top jamb mount door closers, the same with regular arm closers which the main arm is perpendicularly from the door. But the biggest difference is that the door closer body is mounted on the face of the door frame. These are often used for aluminum or glass store front doors, because these doors generally have narrow top rails. Like regular arm closers, top jamb closers are fairly power efficient.
- Parallel Arm Mounting: With a parallel arm application, the main arm is parallel with the door when the door closer is mounted. Parallel arm door closers are one of the most common applications, particularly in commercial properties and schools, because they reduce the risk of vandalism to the arm and they are more attractive than other overhead options. Due to the geometry of the arm, it is approximately 25% less power efficient than Regular Arm or Top Jamb mounting.
- Sliding Track Arm Mounting: normally the door closer body is mounted on the door, while the sliding track arm is mounted on or under the frame of the door. Compared with the above three mounting methods, its power efficiency is the lowest, approximately 50% less than Regular Arm or Top Jamb mounting.
Application and Products Standard
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ：ANSI / BHMA A156.4, UL10C 3 hours fire rating
Door closers are generally classified in an ANSI Grade or Duty Cycle. This is to assist with choosing the right closer for the right application. They are 3 classes as below:
a、ANSI Grade 1 – 2 million cycles required, best for medium to high traffic such as a store entrance, office or school. All of our American Style Door Closer are certified with Grade 1.
b、ANSI Grade 2 – 1 million cycles required, best for medium traffic such as a small office, or public restroom.
c、ANSI Grade 3 – 500,000 cycles required, best for low traffic such as closets, or residential applications.
Select the right grade: Door closer is typically listed as Grade 1, 2 or 3. Choose Grade 1 door closer for commercial applications or for doors subject to high levels of abuse. Grade 2 door closer can be used for light commercial and standard residential doors. Grade 3 door closer should be used on light residential applications, such as guest rooms or storage rooms. All of our UL Listed Door Closer meet the standard of Underwriter’s Laboratories.
| Door Operation Frequency Chart | |||
| Application | Daily | Yearly | Frequency |
| Large Department Store Entrance | 5,000 | 1,500,000 | HIGH |
| Large Office Building Entrance | 4,000 | 1,200,000 | HIGH |
| Theater Entrance | 1,000 | 450,000 | HIGH |
| School Entrance | 1,250 | 225,000 | HIGH |
| School Restroom Door | 1,250 | 225,000 | HIGH |
| Store or Bank Entrance | 500 | 150,000 | HIGH |
| Office Building Restroom Door | 400 | 118,000 | HIGH |
| School Corridor Door | 80 | 15,000 | MEDIUM |
| Office Building Corridor Door | 75 | 22,000 | MEDIUM |
| Store Restroom Door | 60 | 18,000 | MEDIUM |
| Residential Entrance Door | 40 | 15,000 | MEDIUM |
| School Janitor Closet | 40 | 7,500 | LOW |
| Residential Restroom Door | 25 | 9,000 | LOW |
| Residential Hallway Door | 10 | 3,600 | LOW |
| Residential Closet Door | 6 | 2,200 | LOW |
2.European Standard – CE：EN 1154 (Performance Test) and EN 1634 (Flammability Testing), rated for 500,000 cycles. All of our CE Certified Door Closer are more than 500,000 cycles.
3.Chinese Industrial Standard: QB/T 2698-2005, “Door Closer for Fireproof Door” GA 93-2004 fire testing standard issued by the Ministry of Public Security of China.
- Primary Standard (high operating frequency)：≥ 1 million cycles
- Secondary Standard (medium operating frequency)：≥ 0.5 million cycles Most of our Economic Door Closer and CCC Certified Door Closer are of Garde II.
- Standards of Grade 3 (low operating frequency)：
≥ 0.2 million cycles
Special Functions Optional
Except for adjustable closing (sweeping) speed and latching speed, there are more functions to be optional:
1. Sweep speed control
Sweep speed (door closing speed) is the time frame from the start of the door closing to a couple inches before the door hits it latch point. The last few inches of closing are controlled via the latch speed valve if one is included.
2. Latch speed Control
The Latch Zone is the last few inches before the door hits it latch point. This closing zone is controlled via the latch speed valve. Note: A properly adjusted door closer latch speed should never slam the door closed causing stress on the door and frame.
3. Hold Open (HO) Arm
Hold Open is the ability of the door closer to hold the door in the open position. Most overhead door closers achieve this function via a special type arm (Hold Open Arm).
Warning Note: Most local building codes do not allow the installation of any type of door hardware that holds “Fire Doors” in the open position.
4. Back Check (BC)
Backcheck slows the door during open the door in the opening swing to keep it from hitting an adjacent wall or having wind throw it out of your control.
Backcheck resistance should only be felt near the fully open position, details see installation instructions. Notes: Backcheck is not a door stop. Most of our Grade 1 door closers offer fully adjustable Backcheck.
All closers on exterior doors should have backcheck as well as doors that may swing into a nearby cabinet or wall.
5. Delayed Action (DA) and ADA Standard
A delayed action closer offers a period of delay from when the door begins the close function. This is helpful for doors that are used by wheelchair users or people pushing strollers or chopping carts. It is also required for many entrance doors that are subject to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. Check the ADA website or consult with your local building inspector to determine if delayed action is needed.
Key Point of Design & Choosing
- Usage occasion：please refer to “Guide for selection of Dorrenhaus door closer”
- Operating frequency：Grade I for high working frequency, for example: station, hotel, shopping mall, resteraunt, exhibition center, workshop of plant, landing-answer doors; Grade II for medium working frequency, such as office of commercial building, meeting room, school, chamber or club; GradeIII for low working frequency, for instance: machine room, warehouse etc.
- Material of door : different door material need different door closer accessories (screw).
- Width and weight :If you look at a door hung on butt hinges and equipped with a door closer from above, it looks something like this:
You see from the illustration that the door closer closes the door by exerting force on a point about eight or ten inches from the hinge side of the door. To see what this means, find a door without door closer and open the door. Now put your hand a foot away from the hinge side of the door and push the door to close. Pretty difficult, isn’t it? If your door was wider, it would be even harder to close from that point. This is why door closer size – that is, spring strength – is determined by the width of the door rather than the weight.For a three foot wide exterior door, you would normally adjust your door closer to be a size four. For a four foot wide exterior door you would adjust your door closer to be a size five. Therefore, if you have a four foot wide exterior door, you had better buy a closer that can be adjusted to a size five.
5.Size of door frame: if the frame is narrow, no space to install door closer arm, then parallel-mounting plate is needed for parallel arm installation.
6.
Opening angle of door: if 180 degree opening angle is needed, then European Style Door Closer or CE Certified Door Closer is recommended.
7.Installation methods：regular (standard) installaton, top jam installation, parallel arm installation, sliding arm installation (Sliding Arm Door Closer), concealed installation.
8.Special function：including Back check (BC), Hold open (HO), Delayed action (DA) and ADA standard etc. HO & BC function are optional for all of our European Style Door Closer; BC , HO & DA function are optional for most of our American Style Door Closer.
Guide for Selection of Door Closer
| Usage Occasion | Door Width(mm) & Weight(kg) | Installation Methods | Size (Spring Strength) | Typical Door Closer Model No. |
| Light-duty Fire Door | <850 (25-45) | Regular/top jam | #2 | KC1055-2/KC1058-2 |
| <850 (25-45) | Parallel arm | #3 | KC1055-3/KC1058-3 | |
| <850 (25-45) | Sliding arm | #4 | KC1055-4/KC1057-4 | |
| <950 (40-65) | Regular/top jam | #3 | KC1055-3/KC1058-3, KC1057-3/KC1400-3 | |
| Medium-duty Fire Door | <950 (40-65) | Parallel arm | #4 | KC1055-4/KC1057-4, KC1057-4/KC1400-4 |
| <950 (40-65) | Sliding arm | #5 | KC1057-5/KC1400-5 | |
| 850-1200 (25-120) | All 3 methods | #2-#5 | KC1400-15 | |
| Heavy-duty Fire Door | 800-1500 (15-150) | All 3 methods | #1-#6 | KC1400-16 |
| <950 (40-65) | Regular/top jam | #3 | KC1055-3/KC1058-3, KC1057-3/KC1400-3 | |
| Light-duty Landing-answer Door & Non-fireproof Door | <950 (40-65) | Parallel arm | #4 | KC1055-4/KC1057-4, KC1057-4/KC1400-4 |
| <950 (40-65) | Sliding arm | #5 | KC1057-5/KC1400-5 | |
| 850-1200 (25-120) | All 3 methods | #2-#5 | KC1400-15 | |
| Medium & Heavy Duty Landing-answer Door and Non-fireproof Door | 800-1500 (15-150) | All 3 methods | #1-#6 | KC1400-16 |
| Guest Room Door of Hotel | <850 (25-45) | Concealed | #2 | KC1006/KC1007 |
Guide for Selection of Door Closer (continued)
| Usage Occasion | Door Width(mm) & Weight(kg) | Installation Methods | Size (Spring Strength) | Typical Door Closer Model No. |
| <950 (40-65) | Concealed | #3 | KC1007/KC1008 | |
| Light-duty Residential Interior Door | <850 (25-45) | Regular/top jam | #2 | KC1055-2/KC1058-2 |
| <950 (40-65) | Regular/top jam | #3 | KC1055-3/KC1058-3 | |
| Access Door for the Disabled | 850-1200 (25-120) | All 3 methods | #2-5, #1-6 | KC1400-15, KC1400-16 |
Remarks:
- For doors with weight of less than 25 kgs, width of less than 600 mm, if automatically door closing is needed, then spring hinge is recommend to use.
- The above fixed size door closer is suitable for interior door. For exterior door, the size of door closer should be #1 or #2 higher; for door closer used in higher pressure tightness room, the size of door closer shall also be #1 or #2 higher.
- For fire door, hold open function is not allowed.
FAQ
No, this is a common misunderstanding. Door closer “size” refers exclusively to spring strength, ranging from Size #1 (weakest, 2 lbs minimum closing force) to Size #6 (strongest, 14 lbs minimum closing force). Two closers can be physically similar in dimensions but rated at completely different sizes based on their internal spring mechanism. Always specify size by force rating, not by guessing based on the unit’s physical footprint.
Because of leverage geometry. A door closer exerts force at a point roughly eight to ten inches from the hinge side, and the wider the door, the harder it becomes to close from that same leverage point—regardless of how much the door weighs. This is why closer size is primarily determined by door width, with weight as a secondary factor. A 3-foot exterior door typically needs a Size 4 closer, while a 4-foot exterior door needs Size 5.
An Adjustable door closer, like the KC1400-16 model, lets you dial the spring power anywhere within a range (for example, Size #1 through #6) using a single unit—useful when the exact door specifications might change or when one product needs to serve multiple door types. A Fixed Size closer is set permanently at manufacture with no way to adjust force stronger or lighter. Standard adjustable closers typically ship pre-set to Size 3 before leaving the factory.
Regular Arm (standard arm) and Top Jamb mounting are the most power-efficient options, since the arm geometry transfers closing force most directly. Parallel Arm mounting is approximately 25% less power-efficient than Regular Arm due to its arm geometry, though it’s popular in schools and commercial buildings because it reduces vandalism risk and looks more attractive. Sliding Track Arm mounting is the least efficient, roughly 50% less than Regular Arm, and is typically reserved for specific frame or aesthetic constraints.
