Door closers, those handy contraptions at the top of many doors in commercial buildings and attached dwellings, are not just helpful but increase safety and decrease noise. However, not all door closers are created equal.
If you live in a place with strong wind, you might be searching for the best door closer for high wind conditions.
A heavy-duty door closer is the most suitable solution to this common problem. These essential pieces of door hardware may cost more upfront than their lightweight counterparts, but they will save you money in the long run.
Best Door Closers for Wind
1. FS-8400 Series Commercial Grade Door Closer
Designed specifically for high-traffic areas such as hallways, entrances, and doorways, the FS-8400 is a heavy-duty automatic door-closing hinge that is ADA-compliant and made for commercial doors. It comes with six power control adjustment levels to easily adjust the sweep motion and latching motion. You can even self-regulate the mechanism to change the speed or intensity of closing and opening the door.
The best features of this door closer are its aluminum materials, which make it rust-proof, and its ability to support regular, top jamb, and parallel installation, not to mention its generous full refund/replacement warranty.
2. Lawrence LH816 Aluminum Commercial Door Closer
The Lawrence LH816 aluminum commercial door closer offers everything that you’d expect with this type of product, including a spring-forward, ease-back feature that allows for top-notch security and maintenance. With a total of six levels of closing power, your customers can all come and go at their own pace. The ANSI 156.4 Grade 1 rating means that it will last for many years to come.
This door closer features automatic closing and latching, hands-free closing that is quiet and gentle, and even four different finishes so that it always matches the decor. It is also UL- and ADA-compliant, giving you the peace of mind that you deserve year after year.
3. Dynasty Hardware 4401 Heavy Duty Door Closer
The 4401 door closer is UL-listed for fire door assemblies and is non-handed in order to achieve either parallel-arm, regular-arm, or top-jamb installation. The back-check function is adjustable and it is certified ANSI 156.4 and Grade 1, making it an item that you can rely on year after year. This is a heavy-duty door closer in a sprayed aluminum design so it will match a variety of decors.
Some of its many features include its ability to accommodate both left- and right-closing doors, the ability to open a full 180 degrees, and the fact that everything you need to install the door properly comes with the product, making it simple to install even for those who aren’t mechanically inclined.
4. Onarway Adjustable Automatic Door Closer
The Onarway door closer is a size 4 and meant for medium-sized doors of all types, including right- and left-closing, metal or wood, residential or commercial, so this is a very versatile product indeed. It is adjustable and therefore can even be used for a fire door and as an exterior or interior door closer.
The features of this door closer include a 180-degree opening range, a rust-resistant and waterproof cover, and the ability to accommodate doors between 143 and 187 pounds. It is also made out of aluminum alloy and comes with an adjustable speed, which protects your door and enables it to have a very long life regardless of what you put it through.
5. Hager 5300 Series Heavy Duty Door Closer
This is a Grade 1 heavy-duty door closer with an adjustable spring size of 1 to 6. It is versatile and accommodates top-jamb, regular, and parallel installations and its full rack-and-pinion operation goes along with its UL/cUL certified listing of up to three full hours. It is also BHMA-certified ANSI A156.4.
The features of the Hager 5300 series include tempered springs made out of double heat-treated steel to increase its durability and a multi-mount size that is finished in sprayed aluminum. It comes in a silver color that is certain to match your decor and at a price of just under $60, you can purchase them for many rooms and still not break the bank.
6. Wright Products V150WH Heavy Duty Pneumatic Closer
The V150WH door closer is a heavy-duty door closer for screen doors and storm doors. It is made for metal or wood out-swing doors and can open a full 90 degrees. The adjustable closing speed means that all of your customers will be accommodated and it even comes with two hole-end plugs for adjustable latching power.
The V150WH offers features such as its ability to be used alone or with a medium- or heavy-weight storm door. The white painted finish means that it will always match your decor and you can even install it yourself using little more than a Phillips screwdriver. Lightweight but sturdy, it also has a modern look that people love.
More Reasons for Getting a Door Closer
The short answer is that fire codes require them in most places. This requirement is for a good reason. In the case of fire, a closed-door will help to stop the spread of flames. Having a door closer ensures that doors remained close when they are not in use.
Aside from safety, door closers also help to stop damage to doors, their hardware, the door frame, and any walls or windows beside the doorway.
Finally, door closers help to keep noise down. As the story goes, a rector for the Boston Trinity Church invented the door closer, in 1877, using a repurposed water pump to control the door and keep it from slamming and thus interrupting services in the church.
Modern, purpose-built door closers can help in the same way. They make sure doors do not slam. They also keep doors closed when they are not in use. A fully closed-door reduces the amount of outside noise that can come in through the doorway.
Heavy-Duty Door Closers for High-Powered Wind
Every exterior door should have a heavy-duty door closer because all areas can experience high powered winds at some point. These commercial-grade products have arms that are constructed using more durable materials, such as forged steel, that are more resistant to damage than their lightweight counterparts.
Interior doors that are not exposed to the wind can be managed with light-duty door closers. However, even in interior environments, light-duty door closer arms can become damaged from regular use, especially if the door is in a high-traffic area or people are not careful when they open the door. The arms incur more damage because they are made using lightweight, easily damaged materials.
Any door that opens to the outside will be subject to high wind conditions at least some of the time. On these doors, you are always going to want to install a heavy-duty door closer.
The reason to always choose the heavy-duty option is damage; if you go with a light-duty door closer, you are susceptible to the following issues:
- Slamming doors
- A broken closer
- Damage to the door
- Damage to the frame
- Misaligned or damaged hinges
- Warped doors
- Broken glass
Repairing one of these problems, even a single time, will cost you more than the difference between a heavy-duty and light-duty door closer. So, when buying a door closer for an exterior door, always go with heavy-duty. You will save money in the long run, and you will also eliminate the hassle of having to repair your doors more than necessary.
Quick Installation
If you want to install the door closer yourself, you are going to need a few tools and materials to get the job done right!
Tools to Install Door Closer
Getting your tools ready ahead of installation will save you time and frustration. The tools you will need include:
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Cordless drill
- Drill bit set
- Level
Materials to Install Door Closer
Get your materials ready before beginning to avoid running out to the hardware store in the middle of the task. To complete this project, you will need:
- Hex bolts
- Hydraulic door closer
- nuts and lock washers
Check out the helpful videos on YouTube to get step-by-step help on installing your door closer. This video has useful tips for installing door closers that do not come with instructions or a guide.
Open & Shut Case
When looking at which is the best door closer for windy conditions, there is one clear answer: a heavy-duty door closer. These heavyweight options will prevent damage to the door and surrounding components. They will also last longer than their light-duty counterparts. Don’t be frightened away by the higher upfront cost, because the heavy-duty door closer will pay for itself in the long run as it will last longer and improve the lifespan of your door and its hardware.
Whether for aesthetic preference, building code requirements, or personal preference, heavy-duty door closers always come out on top.
