Installation of a closer on a wooden door. Do-it-yourself door closer installation. How to install and adjust the door closer for automatic closing

The door closer is a very useful thing in everyday life. After installing it, using the doors in a house or apartment will become much more pleasant. In a hurry did not have time to close the door? The closer will do it for you - quietly, neatly, without annoying cotton.

The closer on the door is quite simple to make and install with your own hands, you just need to be smart.

A simple door closer

To make a closer yourself, you will not need so many materials. First of all, before making a closer, you need to pay attention to its weight. To make the simplest design, you need a load.

The heavier and more massive the door in size, the heavier the door closer should be. For those who first make such a useful thing in everyday life as a door closer, it is recommended to determine the weight of the load empirically. There is no specific formula for calculating the weight of a load.

To make the simplest version of the closer, you will need a rope or cable, as well as another element - a wheel, which is necessary to move the rope up and down. The load is attached to the end of the rope or cable - it will pull the canvas.

To prevent the load from hitting the door leaf and the wall, spoiling their appearance, it must be placed in a piece of plastic pipe. A weight is placed in the pipe and attached to the rope. Then they attach this design to the canvas - and the simplest closer is ready.

Car door lifter

Broken car door? Do not rush to throw away the lift. Only three or five lifts from car doors will be required to make a door closer.

The lifters must be attached to the canvas so that the cover bracket is located between the axis of the hinges.

Such a closer is good because its manufacture does not require the purchase of any complex mechanisms.

Even if the doors are wide open, thanks to such a closer, they will close smoothly and gently.

Spring-based closer

With your own hands, you can make another kind of closer to a wooden canvas. The base of the design is a spring that gently returns the canvas to its original position when opening and closing. It is quick and quite simple to make such a door closer, however, it is only suitable for light wooden canvases, since the spring quickly becomes unusable during prolonged use.

The spring design of the closure can become stronger if you complicate it. But first, let's figure out what elements are needed to install this design on the door.

The basis of the closure is a spring. In addition to it, to slow down the movement of the door, you will need a shock absorber.

The damper of the door closer is arranged according to the principle of a conventional piston. The shock absorber consists of two chambers filled with oil. When you open the door, one of them is filled with oil. When the door is closed using this design, the oil overflows into the second chamber.

There is nothing fundamentally new in the device of such a mechanism. A novice master can also make such a door closer, the main thing is to correctly make the inside of the device. In order for the oil to overflow back, a bypass valve is installed inside the structure. However, you can go the other way by installing an ordinary pump instead of an oil shock absorber.

Adjusting the pump to the operation of the door is not easy. Like a closer made of a primitive load and a cable, such a closer can only be adjusted to the functioning of doors by experience.

To make such a design, it is also necessary to select a rack and pinion, the size of which depends on the size of the structure. It is through it that the load is applied to the spring. It depends on the strength of the gear rack how long the door closer will last you.

For those who do not want to use such complex devices, there is a simple alternative - use a piece of old rubber or a car camera as a door closer. Such a closer can work quite reliably for some time, but it does not look very aesthetically pleasing.

Door closer installation

Mounting the closer is a very important part of the work. How correctly the door closer is installed depends on its functioning.

So, the installation of a closer includes such actions as:

Determination of the door opening angle;
Application of the template from the kit;
Marking holes on the box and the door itself;
Drilling pre-marked holes;
Fixing the lever with screws;
Spring adjustment.

Having determined the opening angle of the door, it is necessary to attach a selected template to it. Then, with chalk, pencil or other drawing utensils, we outline four holes - where the structure will be attached to the door.

The next step is to mark two holes on the box that borders the door. They will show exactly where the base of the lever on the door frame should be fixed. Marking must be done as carefully as possible, slowly. The quality of the installation of the door closer, as well as its subsequent functioning, will largely depend on the accuracy of the markup.

After the marking is done, the holes are drilled, and then the structure lever is fixed with screws. After that, the lever must be moved to the axis of the closer. To securely fasten it to the axis, you need a strong screw. Using screws, the device body is mounted on the door. The correct installation of the device and the further quality of its operation will depend on the performance of this operation.

Currently, closers for plastic doors are popular. They are widely used in high traffic areas. The main function of the closer is the smooth closing of the doors and, due to this, an increase in the service life of the door fittings.

The advantage of the design is that it provides silent closing of the door.

You can install a conventional spring, but this will not protect you from being hit on the back at the moment of its closing if you suddenly lose your vigilance.

Mounting the closer is not difficult. The main requirement is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, to correctly assemble the structure, following all the steps.

Types of door closers and how to install them

Consider all types of door closers:

Standard conductor. It is characterized by the top installation. There are two methods for this installation. In the first - we mount the door closer on the door frame, we attach the lever to the canvas. In the second - we attach the closer to the canvas, the lever to the door frame. The closer is mounted in the direction of opening the door:

from myself - on the box;
on yourself - on the door leaf.

The third option is to install the closer on the door leaf, and mount the lever with a special plate to the box.

Floor closer. Used to install doors that do not have hinges. Installation of this type of door closer is carried out in the floor itself, in a recess prepared in advance. By the same principle, the fastening of the upper part of the door is made. We compare them by level, a mismatch promises a quick breakdown.
Built-in door closers with concealed installation. Represented by hinge-closers, mounted on the principle of conventional canopies, hidden top-mounted closers, need to be cut into the door leaf. It will not be difficult, you need to install the mechanism in two grooves: in the upper and lower parts of the door frame. An important point will be the size of the width of the gap between the door frame and the leaf.

Before considering how to install a door closer on a plastic door, we figured out their types. The most common is the top closer, and we will disassemble it in the future.

Step-by-step instructions for installing a door closer on a plastic door

Usually a plastic door opens on itself. Having understood the technique, you can not only mount the door closer, but also put a similar device on any other door, in an individual way. Installation differences are very minor. Let's describe the installation process step by step:

Consider with a set of purchased door closer. The composition includes a closer, a lever to it, fasteners, a template that serves as an assistant to a novice master.
We place the template on the closed door according to the scheme, fix it with adhesive tape. We drill holes according to the template. After removing it, proceed to the installation.
We fasten the lever to the box using self-tapping screws, nothing needs to be adjusted.
Using a screw, we connect the lever and the closer. It is necessary to ensure that the screws that adjust the closer are located in one direction - towards the door canopies.
The next step is to adjust the thrust of the closer lever. This is done in such a way that the holes on the closer coincide with the level of the holes on the door; when the door is closed, it should be perpendicular to the door frame.
If all conditions are met, we fasten the mechanism and check its operation. If any questions arise (a door that opens tightly, slams hard when it closes), then the problems are eliminated by carrying out elementary manipulations.

Having correctly completed all the instructions step by step, the question “How to install a door closer on a plastic door with your own hands?” will fall off on its own. Only if there is no template with the purchased kit, you should carry out the installation, adhering to the drawing that is attached to the device passport, all dimensions are attached.

We carry out the adjustment of the closer with our own hands

Having installed the closer, you need to master the basics of adjusting the device. When installing the structure, you cannot ignore the two screws that regulate the operation of the device:

the first is designed to adjust the overall speed of the doors when they are closed;
the second is aimed at the tightness of the door to the frame.

In order to avoid a large impact of the door on the frame, tighten the second screw. This is done with smooth movements, every couple of turns, it is necessary to check the degree of readiness. We slow down the movement of the door by twisting the screw clockwise, accelerate it - counterclockwise. Closing is debugged in the same way.

Some types of closers contain a large number of screws for adjustment. This happens in cases where there are additional functions. There are only four of them: two additional screws adjust the brake when opening, limit too sharp opening of the doors, fix the door open, opening at a certain angle, the door does not close, which is very convenient in the right case.

If you have neither the time nor the extra money to improve the door design, you can make a door closer with your own hands. In this case, you can use the simplest items that you probably have in your pantry. Such a home-made mechanism will allow you to eliminate the problem of knocking doors at minimal cost.

A simple door closer can be assembled independently from improvised materials

Closer functions

Before you try to make a door closer from improvised materials with your own hands, you need to determine what tasks this device should perform. Consider the main functions of the closer:

Depreciation - protection of the door from impacts when closing abruptly, for example, from a draft or with great force. Thus, the closer prevents damage to the coating of both the leaf and the frame.
Adjusting the speed of the door leaf - does not allow for sudden movements both in the direction of closing and in the opposite direction.
Closing delay - the canvas is delayed at a certain distance from the box and due to this a smoother porch is provided.
Fixing the open position - if necessary, you can fix the door in the wide open position, without fear that it will accidentally slam shut.
Door Pull - If not enough force has been applied to close the door, the device will complete the process by pulling the door leaf directly against the frame.

The closer performs three functions: regulates the speed of closing the door, slows down and slows down

Of course, a home-made door stopper is not able to fully perform all the specified functions, but it is quite capable of coping with the main design flaws.

car parts

If you do not know how to make a door closer, look for suitable parts in the car door. It's great if you have an unnecessary spare part that ensures smooth movement of the trunk in five-door models. In this case, the door car traffic limiter can be installed in the opening of an interior or even an entrance door. How to make a do-it-yourself closer from a car door spare part? To attach the stem and lift cylinder, you will need to attach a bracket with “fingers” to the parts. Screw one side of it to the wall or frame, and the other to the canvas. With the help of such a device, it is possible to ensure not only the smooth movement of the door, but also to hold it in the open position if necessary.

You can build a door closer with your own hands using spare parts from an auto door closer

rubber pear

You can make a closer for the door system with your own hands from a piece of a car camera, a hose, an elastic band, a cable, a carpal expander, and even from such an object as a rubber pear. If you could not find such a thing at home, you can easily buy it at any pharmacy for almost a penny.

How to make a do-it-yourself door closer from a rubber pear:

Mark the location of the device. It can be placed on the box both from the side of the outer corner of the canvas, and closer to the hinges. The second option is preferable, as it will provide a smoother closing of the door.
Using a nail or screw, secure the bulb so that it points towards the frame with the sharp end.

When the canvas hits a homemade limiter, soft cushioning and noiseless slamming are provided. The pear is slowly blown away under the weight of the door, smoothly bringing it to the loot. When opened, the rubber part quickly restores its shape and can again perform the functions of a closer assigned to it. In the same way, you can make a homemade door closer from a tennis ball. You can fix this part with your own hands using a self-tapping screw. To prevent the ball from moving out of place, reinforce the fixation area with a rubber pad or a piece of plywood.

The simplest option to make a do-it-yourself door closer is to use a spring.

Of decisive importance is not only the size, but also the stiffness of the spring. It should provide the effect of slowing down the movement, but at the same time smoothly enough to attract the canvas.

This part is attached directly to the doorway. One end is screwed to the box, and the other is mounted to the edge of the door leaf. The closer the spring is to the hinges, the less effect it provides.

As an improvised material for the manufacture of closers, you can use a spring

Such a do-it-yourself closer works as follows: when opening the doors, the spring is stretched and prevents overly sudden movements. In order to fix the canvas in the open position, you need to block the reverse motion of the device. If the door is not completely closed, this small detail will do everything for you, pulling it to the frame.

A magnet is rather a kind of alternative to a door closer. Making such a mechanism with your own hands is easy. This will require a screwdriver, self-tapping screws, a chisel, a metal plate with holes and a magnet.

To ensure a tight rebate, it is recommended to install the parts almost flush. You can leave a small ledge so that the magnet and metal can interlock. First, outline the position of the elements. The magnet is attached to the frame, and the metal plate is attached to the door leaf in such a way that in the closed position they overlap each other. With a chisel, clean the coating to the required depth. Using self-tapping screws, fix both parts and check their operation.

With the help of ordinary improvised materials, you can make a door closer with your own hands. It can be used as a temporary device or completely stop at this choice.

Do-it-yourself door closer: manufacturing instructions

How to make a door closer with your own hands, what parts are required for this - instructions for making a door closer using improvised materials.

Making a homemade door closer with your own hands from improvised and affordable means

To protect the door from premature failure, door closers are often used. These devices are designed to smoothly and accurately slam the door leaf. A specific model is selected based on many factors:

temperature fluctuations;
expected load;
the weight of the canvas itself;
required level of reliability.

Often, such mechanisms cost a lot, and if for external doors this is justified by the reliable service of purchased devices, then for internal doors or cottages it is more cost-effective to make a home-made door closer.

How is the closer arranged?

The standard closer is divided into three components:

Inside the body of the device there is a spring, which is compressed when the door is opened. As soon as the canvas is released, it will begin to return to its original state. A special composition helps to slow down this process and make it smooth - due to its viscosity, it prevents the door from slamming sharply.

One of the variants of the internal mechanism

The case has two compartments, in one of which the composition remains until the door is closed. When the composition changes, the oil flows into the second compartment, where the spring movement is braked.

The spring is closely connected with the rod - a movable element of the mechanism that connects the main body and the additional one - attached to the wall or door (depending on the model).

What functions should the clapping mechanism perform?

Before you make an automatic door closer with your own hands, you need to have an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat it should ultimately provide. The main function is depreciation - preventing the door leaf from hitting the box. Along with this, the following functionality is distinguished:

adjustment - the ability to set the closing speed;
attraction - in case of loose closing, the mechanism itself will close the door;
fixation - the ability to fix the door closer in one position.

The last item is not required for factory models either, therefore, in a home-made version, any suitable items are used as a stopper.

Its closing mechanism must pull and smoothly close the door. For these purposes, ready-made parts from cars or improvised means are used.

Car door closers

The trunk of a car is a perfect example of using an automatic door closer. Smooth opening, closing and cushioning make this part a worthy alternative to factory models.

Fasteners are attached to the part. Depending on the design, these can be brackets of various types. With their help, the finished device is attached to the door and wall (or frame).

Springs from a car closer

The advantage of this method is the possibility of fixing the door leaf in the open position: other home-made closers acquire this function only with the help of additional devices.

You can get the part in your car by asking friends or in the market. Buying a used working part is cheaper than buying a factory model of a slamming mechanism.

Rubber closers

To make such a door closer with your own hands, the thrifty owner does not have to spend money. They can act as an attracting and shock-absorbing device;

pieces of rubber;
pears;
hoses or tubes.

Example of pipes suitable for use

Located on the door leaf, these elements are easily deformed when the door is opened, but just as easily restore their shape, ensuring the closing of the door.

The advantage of this type is its cost, ease of installation, as well as the ability to adjust the mechanical force. Rubber has a different density, which allows you to select the best options for a particular door. The only drawback is unaesthetic, since a piece of rubber or a pear as a closer does not look very attractive. However, for pantries and other non-public premises, this is the best option.

Springs as a closing element

One of the simple and affordable ways is to install the spring as a closer. The advantages of this method include:

ease of installation;
availability;
the possibility of regulating the impact;
relative aesthetics.

Springs have a number of characteristics, due to which the best option is selected. There is no clear formula for which spring to take for a door of a certain weight. Therefore, you will have to choose empirically.

Simple spring mechanism

Installation consists in installing one end of the spring on the door leaf, and the other on the frame or wall.

Using a weight as a slamming mechanism

This method becomes one of the oldest and is rarely used today. With this method, a cable or rope is attached to the door leaf, the second end of which is passed through a wheel attached to the wall or frame. A load is attached to the end, which closes the door. Its weight has to be selected manually, since there is no exact formula for calculating it.

The advantages of this method include its low cost, simplicity and efficiency. If necessary, you can even fix the door.

The obvious disadvantage is that during the movement the load swings and hits the door or frame. In order not to spoil the surface, it is placed in a pipe with the appropriate diameter. This approach will save the door and give the composition a more attractive and neat look.

Homemade or factory made?

Factory closers have an undoubted number of advantages:

In fact, their only drawback is the price: it is unreasonable to spend a lot of money if you need to take care of closing the door leading to the cellar, pantry or garage. In such situations, homemade analogues will come in handy. With proper installation and assembly, they regularly perform the functions of a closer, and at the same time, the cost of creating such an analogue is often limited by the price of the part itself.

Homemade do-it-yourself door closer: solutions

Homemade do-it-yourself door closer: the principle of operation of the device, the required functionality and popular methods for making the device from improvised means.

How to make a door closer yourself

To make a door closer with your own hands, it is important to understand the principle of its operation and clearly define for yourself the functional purpose of this device. In what cases it may be required:

front door in a public place
temporary fixture on the door, which will be replaced later
temporary fix

depreciation
closing speed control
closing delay
automatic closing
open fixation

Driver Requirements:

high functional properties
long-term performance
acceptability for all who will use the door. It is important that the door does not open too tightly and is accessible to the elderly, the disabled and children.

New doors in a good interior are usually fitted with high-quality factory closers. But when there is no point in spending money on a purchase for one reason or another, and a functional device is required for the door, then there are several ways to make it.

To begin with, consider the principle of operation of most factory closers. It is based on a spring, and the mechanism of action is triggered by the flow of oil from one chamber to another when opened. There are also closers with a cam mechanism, but it is unrealistic to make it manually. Based on the principle of the first type of factory closers, you can make a design for your door manually.

Spring mechanism.

The simplest spring-based closer can be made for a light interior door. You just need to choose a spring of suitable parameters (not too tight or weak). One side of the spring is attached to the door leaf, and the other side to the frame. The farther from the loops it is, the greater the effect it provides. This design is quite primitive, but is able to cope with its functions if applied to a light door. A heavy front door will quickly disable the spring.

The spring mechanism can be complicated to include the damping function. To do this, two cameras are attached, interconnected. One of them is filled with oil. When opening and closing the door, oil flows from one chamber to another, ensuring smooth closing of the door. You can also use a pump, adjusting its functional properties to the requirements of a particular door.

By the same principle as with the use of a spring, you can use a piece of rubber cut, for example, from a piece of a car tire. This method is not the most reliable and far from aesthetic, but it is able to cope with the closer function at a primitive level - the door will not be wide open.

Rubber products.

For the manufacture of this type of closer, a rubber ball, a pear, a piece of hose, an expander, and so on are suitable. Consider the principle of operation based on a rubber pear. This product is fixed closer to the hinges (using a nail or screw) so that the tip is facing the frame. Such a mechanism ensures smooth and silent closing of the door, under the weight of which it is blown away, and when opened, it restores its parameters again.

Cable or rope with a load.

It is also a fairly simple mechanism that can quite cope with the function of a door closer. The principle of operation is based on the law of counterweight. To make the structure, you will need a strong rope or cable, as well as a roller mechanism that is attached to the ceiling near the door. On the door leaf, fix the cable or rope, pass it through the roller. At the other end, a load is securely fixed, which is advisable to enclose in a plastic pipe in order to avoid damage to the wall during operation. The weight of the load is selected empirically - its function is to automatically close the door.

A metal plate and a magnet are all you need (not including consumables to secure this structure). The magnet is fixed on the door frame, and the plate - on the canvas so that in the closed position they fit snugly together. With the help of grinding tools, adjust the parts so that they fit normally.

car door lift

The most practical and aesthetic door closer that you can make yourself. But for this you need lifts from car doors. It is necessary to attach a bracket to the cylinder and the lift rod, which, in turn, is fixed on the door leaf so that it is located between the axis of the hinges. One side of it is screwed to the wall or to the door frame, and the other - directly to the door leaf.

Such a door closer is beautiful, functional, allows you not only to gently and silently close the door, but also to fix it in the desired position. Suitable for heavy, front door.

Driver installation.

When installing any closer mechanism, the general rules for the sequence of work apply:

determine the opening angle of the door
evaluate the features of the door to select the most suitable type of door closer
mark the holes on the door and box (wall, ceiling)
drill holes
fix the structure
adjust the operation of the resulting closer.

Do-it-yourself door closer: how to make and install

A do-it-yourself door closer is a feasible task for solving problems associated with its automatic and silent closing. All you need is ingenuity, a small set of tools and improvised means.

Do-it-yourself door closer installation

A high-quality and properly installed door closer allows not only to extend its service life, but also to keep the heat in the room by ensuring automatic smooth and silent closing. The installation process may differ depending on the type of the device itself or the door, but, as a rule, does not cause much difficulty. That is why it can be done by hand.

Appointment of closers

Closers are mechanical-hydraulic devices based on a mechanism with a spring in a metal frame filled with oil. Most often they are installed in rooms with high traffic, as they have a number of indisputable advantages and provide:

safety in daily use of the door;
protection of the premises from noise and negative weather phenomena;
energy savings due to reliable thermal insulation and the absence of drafts.

Meanwhile, the success of the door closer's performance of all these functions depends on the correctness of its installation.

Due to the presence of individual structural features of a particular door closer, it must be installed strictly following the standard instructions, as well as the recommendations of the manufacturer itself.

Modern door closers are distinguished by design, type of construction and power. In addition, they are conditionally divided into:

Upper, which are designed for fastening at the top of the door leaf. They, in turn, can be divided into gear-driven closers, which are driven by a special toothed pin and are characterized by reliability and ease of operation. As well as closers with a sliding rod, the principle of operation of which is based on the operation of a cam heart-shaped shaft. Often they are called overhead, based on the method of attachment.

To date, the devices with a sliding rod are considered the most reliable and less cumbersome among the top closers, however, those based on a gear-driven mechanism are still the most common.

Floor-mounted are indispensable door closers in those rooms in which the issue of door design is especially acute. Their uniqueness lies in the absence of levers that drive the axis, since the door itself is installed directly on it. Meanwhile, the main disadvantage of such structures is the impossibility of their operation with doors weighing 300 kg. and higher.
Hidden, the mechanism of which is also hidden in the hinge body, in the array of the door leaf or the door frame. This closers are divided according to the type of mechanism. They come with a sliding rod, like overhead door closers, and also with a hinge closer. In this case, we are talking about a miniature device that is hidden directly in the loop itself. Its advantage is that there is no need to once again drill the door leaf for installation, and the disadvantages are the impossibility of installation on a massive door and the complexity of the installation itself, as well as a relatively short service life due to its diminutiveness.

Floor closers are considered the most difficult to install, as they require an absolutely flat floor and an accurate calculation of the door opening path. And the simplest are the top ones. They can be installed on almost any door except glass. For her, floor devices were provided.

In case of incomplete fit of the door or low speed of operation of the mechanism, it is possible to install two door closers at the same time. Installation of door closers on doors with a leaf width of more than 1600 mm. undesirable.

What to look for when choosing

Installation options

Ease of installation and reliability make overhead door closers the most popular. Regardless of the type of their model, they consist of a lever, fasteners and a scheme that is performed in full size. The latter, as a rule, displays the manufacturer's recommendations for installing a particular type of device.

Top closers can be installed outside and inside the premises on a metal, plastic and interior door made of solid wood or MDF.

The process of marking and installing the door closer

With the standard technology for installing an overhead door closer, it is necessary:

Choose a place and decide on the method of its installation - outside or inside. The second option is always preferable, as it allows you to protect the device from adverse weather conditions. In addition, the direction of opening the door matters. If it opens “toward itself”, the door closer body is installed in the upper part of the door leaf from the hinge side, and if “away from you” - on the door frame. In turn, a lever is attached to the door leaf.
Attach the 1:1 scale wiring diagram that comes with the selected door closer to the jamb and door leaf at the same time and mark the locations for future holes directly through the paper.
Drill holes of the required diameter in the frame and door leaf.

For a door made of aluminum profile or thin-walled metal, you need to use special fasteners - bongs, designed to protect the material from deformation at the points of attachment of the elements.

Fix the door closer body and lever shoe or lath to the door leaf or frame using self-tapping screws. To the body of the device, by using a special screw that comes with the kit, attach the second part of the lever and connect the lever in the knee.

Schemes of non-standard door closer installation options

If it is impossible to install the door closer using standard technology, for example, if it must be carried out on a gate or an unusual door, you can resort to using special mounting strips or corners, the design of which is developed individually in each case.

The mounting bracket can be used if it is not possible to fix the lever to the box. In this case, the lever itself is attached to the corner from the inside.
The body of the closer can be mounted on a corner installed behind the upper slope of the box, and the lever can be mounted on the door leaf.
A mounting plate can be installed on the door, which in this case should extend beyond its upper edge. Subsequently, the closer body will be fixed to it. The lever can be attached to the door frame.
The body of the closer can be attached to the door leaf using standard technology, and the lever can be attached to the mounting plate, thereby increasing the area of the door slope.
The mounting suspension plate can be attached to the box by installing the closer body on it, and the lever to the door leaf.

Adjustment

The process of adjusting the installed door closer is extremely important and usually includes adjusting the force and speed of closing the door. It is carried out in several stages:

Adjustment of the knee lever so that it is fixed at an angle of 90 degrees to the surface of the door leaf in 2 modes of operation - with and without a catch.
Door closing force adjustment. It is carried out through the use of special adjusting screws, which are twisted to such an extent that the speed of closing the door becomes optimal.
The process of adjusting the door closer in the “with a pop-up” mode, which is installed on a door with a combination lock or latch, provides for a clear control of the force and speed of closing the door in 2 zones. The first is the initial one, the range of which ranges from 180–15 degrees. The second is the final one, which falls on the remaining 15-0 degrees. At the same time, the speed and forces in the second zone must be slightly greater in order for the door to slam shut.

When adjusting the closer, it is extremely important to correctly unscrew the screws. Excessive zeal in this case can cause depressurization of the closer housing, resulting in oil leakage, which will lead to device failure.

Adjustment of door braking if necessary.

Installing a door closer with your own hands is quite realistic. To do this, it is enough to listen to the advice of professionals and show a little patience and diligence. In the end, they will be rewarded not only with excellent thermal insulation and an extension of the life of the door itself, but also with maximum convenience in its use.

Do-it-yourself door closer installation: on metal and not only, diagram, instruction and video

The article talks about the purpose and types of closers, as well as several options for their installation on different types of doors.

- a great invention that helps in the operation of the door. Thanks to this device, the door does not slam when closing, does not accelerate, it is much easier to open it, no matter how heavy the canvas is. In addition, it allows you to fix the door in the open position, which is convenient if you need to ventilate the room.

However, a high-quality reliable mechanism costs relatively a lot of money, and therefore many are interested in. In this article, we will try to understand its structure and understand whether it is possible to create such a structure on our own.

What does the conductor consist of?

The main component of any inexpensive, ordinary is a spring that is compressed and unclenched when closing and opening the door leaf. When the door is closed, a special shock absorber comes into play, which helps to slow down the movement of the door leaf, so that it does not slam against the door frame, but leans against it tightly, but smoothly. In most models, a special piston acts as a shock absorber, squeezing oil from one chamber to another. Oil and slow down. So if you're wondering how to make your own door closer, immediately try to imagine its internal structure in order to understand whether you will be able to make such a design.

What happens inside the device when the door is opened? In this case, a special bypass valve is included in the work, which ensures the reverse movement of oil. As a result, in order to open the door, you only need to overcome the force of the spring.

Of course, if you are really looking for a way, how to make your own door closer, then instead of an oil shock absorber, you can use a conventional pump - it was on this principle that the first ones were created. However, tailoring his work to specific requirements will be incredibly difficult.

But this is not all that needs to be considered when trying to create a door closer with your own hands. For example, each mechanism must have a special gear-rack system, through which the load on the spring is supplied. It is this system that is rightfully recognized as the most effective for creating door closers and subsequent control of the door leaf when closing and opening it.

There are other models of closers, which provide for the presence of a cam mechanism. Making them yourself is almost impossible.

Is there an alternative to the closer?

Let's say you decide to install a door in the entrance or improve an already installed one. The neighbors do not want to buy in a clubbing, but at the same time they stubbornly forget to cover the door leaf. You also do not want to spend your money on the purchase of a mechanism, since it is likely that lovers of easy money will simply dismantle the device. Therefore, you are interested in how to make a door closer yourself.

As it was already possible to understand from the above description of the device of the mechanism, it is almost impossible to create such a device on your own, at home. But you can come up with various options for devices that are alternative to the closer.

In this part of the material, we will talk about how to make your own door closer or its likeness, using improvised devices.

Counterweight system - a roller mechanism is mounted in the ceiling next to the door, and a long cable is installed in the door leaf, which should be pulled through the rollers. A load is attached to the end of the cable, the weight of which will be so large as to reliably attract the door leaf to the box. At the same time, it should not be too large so that the door opens without undue effort and the elderly and children can freely use it.
The simplest method is to install a conventional spring, one end of which is attached to the door leaf, and the other to the wall. Again, the spring should not be too stiff, as the door will be extremely difficult to open. And when closing, move very quickly and push the incoming person in the back.
Instead of a spring, use a piece of old rubber or part of an old car tube. This method of creating a "closer" is unreliable and unaesthetic.

That's all the ways how to make your own door closer or a distant likeness of it. Perhaps there are others.

In order for the door leaf to close automatically, in the old days, various springs and elastic bands were attached to it. Often this led to embarrassment when the sash managed to hit the hesitant person on the back due to the high slamming speed. These primitive devices were replaced by a modern soft-closing mechanism - a door closer, which, if necessary, can be installed with your own hands. The purpose of our publication is to explain how to make the right choice and installation of this device.

Types of closers and the principle of operation

Now on sale there are such types of closing mechanisms:

hydraulic;
pneumatic;
spring.

Reference. There are also door devices for cabinets - roller-type compartments that do not allow the sliding sash to hit the wall when it slams shut.

Mechanism with 2-rod hinge (left) and with guide chute (right)

The hydraulic closers shown in the photo are most often used on different designs of entrance doors. The product consists of two parts - a closed body and folding rods in the form of a knee (or a single lever with a roller placed inside the channel). In the housing filled with engine oil, a toothed rack with a spring connected to the piston is installed. Moving along the axis of the mechanism, the rack rotates the gear associated with the external thrust, as shown in the diagram.

The principle of operation of the product is similar to the hydraulic cylinder of a car. When the sash opens, the gear turns and moves the rack, which compresses the spring. At the same time, the piston draws oil into the cylinder. After releasing the door, the spring tends to open up, but it is “slowed down” by the piston, which is held back by the liquid lubricant in the cylinder. As a result of the gradual flow of oil into another compartment, the door leaf slams slowly.

An important point. The automatic process is divided into 2 stages: the first 75° of rotation the leaf moves slowly, and the last 15° - quickly. This ensures the tightness of the porches and the operation of the lock. Closing speed can be adjusted with special screws.

Pneumatic closers work on the same principle, but instead of oil, they suck in and release air. The spring mechanisms shown in the photo and resembling large door hinges are completely simple: a spring is placed in the iron case, which presses on the door leaf through a rod with a constant force.

Pneumatic design

Before choosing and installing a door closer, you need to understand the conditions under which it should be used. There are some recommendations in this regard:

For street doors and gates, a pneumatic mechanism that is not afraid of negative temperatures is best suited. The fact is that the oil in the hydraulic closer thickens from the cold, which makes the closing speed slow down. Therefore, the product needs seasonal adjustment.
Due to the aesthetics and reliability in operation, it is customary to put hydraulic mechanisms on the front doors to offices, residential buildings and other buildings.
The spring closer is designed for interior and light wooden doors.

The simplest version with an unregulated spring

Each variety has its pros and cons. The spring mechanism is cheap, but not adjustable. The pneumatic device is not afraid of the cold and does not need to be adjusted, but it does not look very attractive and is inferior to hydraulics in reliability. Hence the popularity of oil closers - they are bought for most doors, despite the high price.

Automatic closing devices should be selected not only by type, but also by load. It is one thing to turn a lightweight plastic sash, and quite another to close a metal or glass door. The size of the canvas also plays a role - width with height. Therefore, products are divided into classes according to European standards EN 1154, each of which is designed for operation with doors of certain sizes and weights, which is indicated in the table.

Advice. When choosing, focus on a larger indicator of your door - width or weight. Also consider additional factors that increase the load on the closer hydraulics. For example, when the canvas is exposed to gusts of wind or drafts, it has a non-standard height or shape. Then you need to take the product 1 size larger.

It is possible to choose a door closer with the following additional features:

synchronization of closing double doors;
fixation in the open state or a delay in slamming for a set period of time;
protection against sharp jerks and shocks (a hydraulic compensator is installed in the body);
ability to function normally in cold weather.

Naturally, products with the listed functions will cost more than usual ones, but they will also last longer in non-standard conditions. You can learn more about choosing the right door closer by watching the video:

Installation instructions

The closure kit includes:

hydraulic block;
a hinge consisting of two rods - one-piece and adjustable;
instructions for installation and operation;
fastener details - screws on a metal sash and self-tapping screws on a plastic or wooden one.

Note. For mounting on glass or on a door frame that is too narrow, you will have to buy additional metal fasteners. In the case of steel doors, you can use homemade corners and plates.

The closer is installed on the door in two positions - outside or inside the opening sash. The second option is preferable, since the product is protected by the canvas from the cold and vandals. If the doors open into the room, then the block is placed on the leaf itself, and the rod is attached to the box. Conversely, when plowing outward, the body is fixed on the upper part of the loot, and the lever is screwed to the canvas.

When installing the door closer with your own hands, follow the following step-by-step instructions:

Take a paper template from the product kit and attach it to the corner of the door leaf so that the red line matches its outline. For convenience, fix the paper with tape.
At the points marked on the drawing for the screws, mark the surface for drilling holes. Usually there are six of these points - 4 pcs. for fastening the block and 2 pcs. - traction.
Choose the diameter of the drill for the screws and make holes. Screw the closer body and the adjustable rod separately to the leaf and the door frame. If the product was supplied assembled, disconnect the lever from the gear on the block before installation.
The last step is to assemble the hinge. If the door is not equipped with a latch and does not require force to rebate, place a second adjustable rod at an angle of 90 ° to the door leaf. If there is a lock, the clamping force must be increased by setting the first rod at a right angle to the sash, as shown in the photo.

On the left, the rod is installed on the door without a lock, and on the right - with a latch

Note. Proper installation of the door closer is carried out with the door completely closed.

Before operation, the mechanism must be adjusted with two screws, usually located at the end of the case. Adjust the speed of closing and finishing by turning them no more than half a turn in one direction or another. For installation details, see the next video:

After reading our recommendations and watching the video, you could be convinced that it is quite possible to install a closer on the front door on your own. But there is another important point - careful everyday use in compliance with the rules set out in the documentation. It depends on how long your product will last. It is worth recalling them and giving some clarifications:

If the design does not provide for the delay of the leaf in the open state, it is forbidden to open the door and fix it with a heavy object or rope. During this time, the oil will flow out of the hydraulic cylinder and, when closing, the spring can strongly push the piston dry.
It is unacceptable to "help" the sash close by applying force to it. So you can squeeze out the seals under the pressure of liquid lubricant.
Before mounting the closer, tighten the door hinges so that the canvas does not hang out. Otherwise, the rods will move in a vertical plane, which reduces the resource of the device.
Make sure that the lever hinge does not act as a leaf stop in the extreme open position. For this, there are special stops.

The maintenance of the door closer consists in the annual lubrication of the levers and the seasonal adjustment of the mechanism - in spring and autumn, when it gets warm or frosts come.