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You've narrowed down your search to a few high-quality doors, but now you're ready to commit to a door closer. Which type is most suitable for your business?
Door closers are an integral part of commercial buildings, facilitating a comfortable flow of traffic and keeping people out of certain sensitive areas. Learning some of the key differences between the two main types will help you decide which to invest in.
Hold-open door closers will stay open after the door passes the 90 to 110-degree point. You can override this function by simply pushing the door toward the closed position. The closer will start closing the door automatically.
Hold-open door closers are excellent for high-traffic areas and rooms that are meant to be open and inviting. They’re also great for reducing general wear and tear on the door, as the opening and closing action won't be as constant.
Non-hold-open closers do the opposite of hold-open closers: once a door passes the 90 to 110-degree threshold, it will close by itself. These closers can help keep certain areas closed off if that's your preference. They can also afford added privacy and security.
Both door closers have their place in a business. Large businesses commonly employ both types in different areas for different reasons. If you're stuck deciding between the two, there are a few factors you'll want to consider. The first is whether the door in question is an entryway into the building.
Hold-open closers are generally not as desirable in entrances, although for some smaller shops, having an easy way to prop the door open could be a welcome option. They also make moving inventory or large objects a breeze, so you might think about whether you’ll be using the entrance for such a purpose.
If you’d rather your doors shut every time someone walks in, non-hold-open door closers will be your best bet. Even some smaller stores that like the appeal of having an open door may want to go with non-hold-open closers if they're concerned about energy costs or if temperatures in the area often fluctuate.
Both types of closers are also valid when used for emergency exit doors.
There's no rule requiring fire exit doors to have one type of closer or the other, and you could make an argument for either. Some fire exits double as entry and exit doors, while others may sit untouched until an emergency. It's a situational choice that depends entirely on where you'll install the door and how people will use it.
Buildings that require more security, such as apartments and offices, are best fitted with non-hold-open door closers, as they’re a much safer way to ensure that not just anyone can enter the building.
Even if you think you’d prefer an open front door to encourage guests to stop in, you may still want a non-hold-open closer for specific rooms that contain sensitive information or items.
The bottom line is that one closer isn’t better than the other: it all depends on how you plan to use it and your goal.
If you’re on the fence, it can help to imagine yourself going through a typical day with each type of closer, then ask yourself which one is more practical and why. If you can be specific about what benefits you think you’d get from choosing a particular closer, it'll make it easier for you to decide.
In short, if you want your door to stay open for an extended period, you're better off with a hold-open closer. If you’d rather the door remain closed most of the time, select a non-hold-open door closer.
Fortunately, it’s usually quite easy to swap out a hold-open closer for a non-hold-open one, so don't fret. You can always make the change later on if you discover that your closer isn’t working as well as you thought it would.
Are you in the market for a new door closer? CDF Distributors has an impressive selection of door closers and other hardware for you to choose from. Browse our catalog today to see what we have available!
January 24, 2023
Wayne Foreman
