A door closer pulls a door shut after each person and makes sure the latch catches. It keeps fire doors working, keeps air conditioning in, stops wind slamming doors, and makes sure access controlled doors actually lock. Most are hydraulic overhead closers, sized by closing force from EN 1154 size 1 to 7. Fitting is quick, but the right size and a careful adjustment make all the difference. Tell us about the doors, and local hardware suppliers and locksmiths will quote you, free and with no obligation.
Types of door closer
The usual kinds are:
- Hydraulic overhead closers: a body on the door or frame with an arm. The most common type, on office, shop and fire doors.
- Slide arm closers: a neater look, with a track instead of a folding arm, often used where the arm would be knocked.
- Concealed closers: hidden in the door or frame, for a clean finish.
- Floor springs: under the floor, for heavy glass shopfront doors.
- Gate closers: weatherproof closers for pedestrian gates.
An automatic door closer just means a closer that shuts the door on its own; powered door openers are a separate product.
Choosing a door closer: EN 1154 sizes
Closers are sized by closing force under EN 1154, from size 1 (light) to 7 (heavy). Size 3 or 4 suits most single doors. Go up for:
- Wide or heavy doors, such as solid timber and steel doors.
- Outside doors in wind, especially on the coast.
- Fire doors, which need a closer that shuts and latches them from any angle.
Many closers are adjustable across a range of sizes, so one model can suit several doors. A heavy duty door closer suits busy schools, clinics and shops. Pick the finish to match the door handles.
Fitting, fire doors and common mistakes
The closer must go on the correct side and at the correct position for the door's swing, using the template that comes with it. Adjust the closing speed and the latching speed so the door shuts firmly without slamming. Common mistakes:
- A closer too weak to latch the door, so a fire door or access controlled door stays open.
- Wedging a fire door open. Use a hold-open device that releases on the alarm instead.
- A closer so strong that children and older people cannot open the door.
- Ignoring an oil leak. A leaking hydraulic closer needs replacing.
What affects the price
Size range, build quality, arm type, finish and fitting time all count. Ask whether brackets for your frame are included and who adjusts it after fitting.
Old closers that leak oil, slam or no longer latch are usually replaced rather than repaired. If you have many doors, ask for one model across the building so spares and adjustment are the same, and have fire doors checked once a year.
What to include in your request
- How many doors, and their width
- Timber, steel, aluminium or glass
- Which are fire doors
- Outside doors in wind
- Finish, and supply only or fitted
Door Closers for different clients
- Homeowners: a closer on the door from the garage to the house so it never stays open
- Complexes, estates and body corporates: closers on the pedestrian gate and stairwell fire doors of a block of flats
- Offices, shops and practices: closers on office, shop and kitchen doors to keep air conditioning in and doors latched
- Landlords and letting agents: closers on the shared entrance and fire doors of a rental block, checked between tenants
- Factories, warehouses and workshops: heavy duty closers on factory office and change room doors that take a lot of traffic
- Farms and smallholdings: a weatherproof closer on the gate to the house garden so dogs and livestock stay out
- Schools, clinics, churches and hostels: closers on every classroom, ward and fire door in a school, clinic or hostel
- Builders, shopfitters and contractors: shopfitters and builders fitting closers to new doors on a fit-out or a new build
Frequently asked questions
What is the door closer price in South Africa?
What size door closer do I need?
Can I fit a hydraulic door closer myself?
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Door Closers by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg