There is a large selection of heavyweight door closers to choose from. There are a few more variables you will want to consider when choosing among the available door closers.
Dead Stop
You want to get a closer that has a dead stop. This add-on is a rubber or plastic bumper that stops the door from opening past it’s fully opened position. A dead stop will help prevent damage to the arm of your door closer. It will also help cut down on damage to your doors, as well as any walls or windows that may be beside the doorway.
Even better than a single piece dead stop is a spring-assisted dead stop (also called a SCUSH or spring cushion).When your door is approaching the full-open position, it will come into contact with the spring, and the spring will then absorb the impact of the moving door, slowing it down before it finally reaches the fully opened position.
This is the same function as the regular dead stop. However, because it absorbs impact, it will also reduce the overall stress and strain on all of the other door components, this will improve their lifespan.
Adjustable Closer
Another consideration is an adjustable closer. These are closers that have internal components, usually springs that can be adjusted to modify the pressure that is needed to open the door.
Adjustability is useful in several situations. For example, as the seasons change, so does the operation of HVAC. Central heating or cooling systems that are running on high increase the pressure inside the building, which pushes out on the door. Increased internal pressure will impede the function of the door closer. An adjustable door closer allows you to compensate for this.
Another reason you may want adjustability is to adhere to your area’s local disability requirements. If the door closer applies too much pressure, it can make doors hard to open. If a door requires too much force to open, it might violate the accessibility laws and creates a barrier to those who have mobility issues.
Concealed Closer
Concealed closers are specially fitted to every door they are installed on. To fit this nearly invisible option to a door, a cut-out is made in the door and the door frame where the hardware is installed. A concealed closer hides everything except the arm, which runs from the door to the frame. Concealed closers are more costly to install, but for some projects, they are just what’s needed.
For more help choosing a door closer, check out some helpful videos on YouTube and the top-rated door closers on Amazon. I recommended starting with the video below.
