Types of Door Closers: Which One is Best for Your Needs?

You might assume there are only a few types of automatic door closers to choose from, but selecting the right one for your property is far from simple. Whether you want to install a door closer for fire safety, for insurance purposes, for hands-free convenience, or because of building control requirements, choosing the correct door closer is essential—and without expert advice, it can be overwhelming.

With a wide range of different types of door closers available, it is important to seek advice from a professional specialising in door closer installation and repairs to ensure that you choose the right one.

In this post we will explain:

a) The different types of door closers and their uses

b) The many factors to consider when choosing the best door closer for a property.

Types of Door Closers and Their Uses – Jargon Buster

There are certain terms that are used when talking about door closers. Here we will explain their uses.

Types of Surface Mounted Door Closers

Surface mounted door closers are added to the door after the door has been installed and are a visible box type device. There are 2 main types for surface mounted door closers:

Overhead Door Closers

Overhead door closers are the most typical type of door closer. They are commonly found on timber doors used in schools, offices, domestic premises, and hospitals for fire safety and to provide controlled door opening.

Floor-spring and floor-mounted door closers

Floor sprung or floor mounted door closers are more commonly used in industrial settings where heavy duty door closers are required. These are very common on glass doors and found on many modern shop fronts. Popular heavy duty door closer types are the brands Dormakaba and Exidor.

Concealed Door Closers

Concealed door closers (commonly known as Transom) give the illusion that there is no door closer when the door is closed, because they are integrated into the door design. Concealed door closers come as part of the door and can’t be installed retrospectively. These are generally used in large new build properties such as blocks of flats, office buildings, and commercial premises. Popular internal door closer types are the brands: Adams Rite, Axim, Alpro and Dormakaba.

Hydraulic Door Closers and Automatic Door Closers

Most door closers are hydraulic (using essential energy from a spring mechanism to propel the door closed when left open). This produces automatic door closing to provide smooth, controlled closure and hands free convenience. Hydraulic door closers and automatic door closers are the same thing. Popular automatic door closer types are the brands Briton, Dormakaba, Union.

Problems with Choosing the Wrong Type of Door Closer

While it’s helpful to understand the different types of door closers available, selecting the right one goes beyond basic knowledge. Without professional advice, it’s easy to choose a model that doesn’t align with your specific door, usage, or safety requirements—leading to problems down the line.

Not seeking professional advice could potentially mean that you are dissatisfied with the performance of your door closer. For a door closer to be fit for purpose, all the necessary boxes it must be ticked. Things that can go wrong are:

• The door doesn’t always close properly and is unreliable
• The door doesn’t fully close, which compromises security and fire safety
• The door is slamming
• Difficulty opening the door due to incorrect pressure handling
• Damage to the door and the door frame caused by poor alignment or excessive force
• Risk of injury if the door closes too quickly or unpredictably

Choosing the right door closer and having regular door closer maintenance arrangements in place will prevent these issues. A professional installer will consider all essential factors—such as fire regulations, door size and weight, frequency of use, and preferred installation style—to ensure the door closer is safe, compliant, and reliable.

7 Considerations When Choosing the Right Door Closer for Your Needs

An experienced door closer installer will know what is required to find the best door closer for any particular purpose and set of circumstances. To do this they will ask questions and thoroughly assess the situation. There are the 7 main considerations:

1) Why Do You Want to Install a Door Closer?

The primary consideration is the reason for installing a door closer. Knowing this vital piece of information will enable a security specialist to give you the most appropriate advice on which door closer is best for your needs and budget.

The most common reasons to install a door closer are:

• Fire safety and insurance purposes – this is particularly relevant to commercial premises
• To increase security – for example, on a communal door to ensure the door is not left open accidentally
• To provide increased privacy – this is often the case for meeting rooms
• To maintain an ambient temperature in a room – to reduce loss of heat or air conditioning
• To reduce pollution from outside – this is most relevant to front doors on busy streets
• To reduce noise levels – this is relevant to both internal and external doors

Once the purpose of installation is established, other aspects that need to be considered with the main purpose in mind.

2) Where The Door is Located

The location of the door (internal or external) and whether the door opens inwards or outwards impact the types of door closers required due to functionality and weather resistance. Choosing the wrong one can cause multiple problems.

3) Door Weight and Size

The size and weight of a door will determine the door closer power size required. There are up to 6 different power sizes (1-6) and a door closer specialist would take responsibility for ensuring that the correct power size has been used. It is not worth risking the consequences of choosing the wrong door closer power size.

4) Fire safety requirements

The function of a fire door closer is to keep the door closed in the event of a fire. Therefore, using the wrong types of fire door closers or installation methods could potentially cause a risk to life. This is why there are many requirements when fitting a door closer to a fire door:

• Consulting with the door manufacturer on fire door closer types appropriate for that particular door, so as not to reduce fire safety levels.
• The level of fire safety testing and fire certificate for the door closer must be on a par with the fire certificate of the door to ensure standards are met.
• Door closer fitting standards for fire doors are very specific and must be carried out by a professional.
• The power size is crucial and must meet the required standards.
• Regular door closer maintenance is essential to maintain fire safety levels.
• There are specific types of door closers not permitted for use on fire doors – this requires a specialist’s input.
• The door closer must not have the ability to be deactivated (without the use of a specialist tool), to prevent anyone tampering with it and leaving the fire safety levels reduced.

Considering the potential risk to life, fire door closer fitting must be carried out by a professional security specialist and not by a builder or as a DIY job.

5) Frequency of use

The level of use will determine which door closer performance category:

• low
• medium
• high

Generally, commercial and public buildings are classified as high use. Choosing a door closer with the wrong performance category can affect longevity if it’s too low and price if it’s too high. Discussing the options with a specialist can save you money and avoid potential problems.

6) Additional functions required

There is a range of functions available for different types of door closers. Seek professional advice on which of these functions are necessary in a particular situation. For example:

• Backcheck prevents the door from being swung open too fast and causing damage to people or property
• Delayed action prevents the door from shutting very quickly, the timing can be adjusted
• Latch action allows adjustments to make the speed slower at the start and faster just before closing. The ability to adjust the speed is helpful to suit different situations, for example, for young children, for the elderly, and the disabled

7) Aesthetics and installation type

Professional door closer installation will ensure that you choose the most suitable method of mounting the door closer and that it is installed correctly. Different types of door closer installation are:

• Door leaf installation – the closer is fixed to the pull side of the door
• Overhead installation – the closer is fixed to the push side of the door
• Parallel application – the closer is fixed to the push side of the door using a fixing bracket
• Concealed door closers – the closer is integrated into the door for aesthetic appeal

If you need advice on which types of hydraulic door closer are best for your property IKS Locksmiths can provide you with professional advice.

IKS Locksmiths: Door Closer Installation, Maintenance and Repair

At IKS, we are experts in all types of door closers, from fire-rated models to automatic and hydraulic options. As an MLA approved locksmith in Barnet, North London you can contact us if you need an emergency locksmith in North London and Hertfordshire. As well as door closers installation repair and maintenance, we provide a full security service including installation of locks, security grilles and safes.