Self-closing doors: best way to comply?

I’m in a 3 family brownstone and need to update both the exterior and the second set of doors to comply with the city’s self-closing door regulation. For both sets, only the right side door is used daily, so whatever I use, I’m going to install it only on those doors. (The left sides are locked unless something big is coming in/out.)

The doors are about 7′ x 2′ and, at most, about 30 lbs each, so I’m looking for advice on the best system to use: closers or hinges. I first saw all these top-mounted pneumatic or hydraulic closers, but they seem like overkill. A carpenter recommended self-closing hinges (4″ in my case).

What have people successfully used out there? Links appreciated! Thanks!

BKRed

in General Discussion 5 years and 8 months ago

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stevecym | 5 years and 7 months ago

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bkred, the lower priced nortons are lighter closers. there are also some knock off brands.

i should add this: one advantage of closers over spring hinges is you can adjust the closer speeds and most are two speed devices anyway: fast for the wide open sweep and then they slow down the last ten or so inches for the “latch” speed. so if you have a noisy door that slams, you can slow these down. spring hinges, even though they are adjustable, are kind of single speed devices in nature.

BKRed | 5 years and 8 months ago

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Thank you Steve! Sounds like even with the lightweight door, you think the (norton) closer is the way to go.

stevecym | 5 years and 8 months ago

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well, from someone who installs these for a living and changes a lot of hinges, i can tell you it is probably easier to install a closer. this will not be the case with round top doors.

here is the issue with self closing hinges: they are bulkier and will not line up with the existing hinges so to do this correctly, you should really change all of them. they are often less attractive than regular hinges and also, the holes will most likely not line up. so you will be drilling into the frame more, reducing the integrity of the old wood.

all of that said, i am no fan of closers. when i work on doors in homes being converted back to single family, the first thing i say is get rid of the closer. but if that is what you need, a norton is what you should install.

also, once you install one, keep in mind that they have adjustment screws and should be adjusted seasonally. a closer that closes nicely in the warmer weather might slow down a bit in the cooler weather. likewise, one that closes well in the cool weather may slam in the warmer weather. the re are set screws on these to adjust the backset, the fast close speen and the slow close or “latch” speed.

norton is a good brand. the truth be told, i have a box of used closers here and i thought about listing them on here as free as i want to get rid of them but honestly do not feel the pick up drive is worth the time. if someone inquires about them i will give them to them. these are some heavy duty commercial units that came from a job. maybe i can give them away and install them but i do not want anyone to feel as though they have to use my services for something i am giving away.

i also have some new spring loaded hinges that i would sell. they are brushed chrome.

Steve
www.thetinkerswagon.com