Gate closer: device, types, selection, installation

To ensure that the gate is closed all the time and does not require any effort, a special device is installed. Once it was a simple spring. It was fastened with one edge to the frame of the gate, the second – to a pillar or wall of the house. That’s only if the spring was tight, you had to “jump” into the gate or hold it back with your hand. Otherwise, you could get a sirloin. Today, such “conveniences” are no longer suitable for anyone. To keep the entrance closed, put a closer on the gate. This is still the same spring, but with additions that allow you to adjust the speed with which the gate will close.

Closer device

Almost all mechanical devices for automatic closing of doors/gates/gates are made on the basis of a spring. And the closer is no exception. Its main nodes:

• a spring installed in a housing filled with oil (the oil is red in the photo, the spring is visible);
• gear to which the thrust (lever) is attached;
• a piston with a gear rack (the piston is on the left in the photo, and the rack is inside it).

How does it all work? When we open the doors, the lever transfers our force to the gear. It begins to roll along the toothed bar, moving the piston. And that, in turn, compresses the spring. After we have released the doors, the spring begins to decompress, pushing the piston back. The gear rolls back to its original position, the doors close.

To prevent the spring from compressing too quickly, the body is filled with oil. When the door is closed, it gradually flows into the piston. To slow down the door, special channels have been made. They are called bypasses. It is they who prevent the rapid slamming of the sash. There are adjusting screws in these channels, with the help of which the gate closing speed is regulated.

Closers with cam mechanism instead of pinion

Closers with gear appeared first. Their main drawback is not a very presentable appearance. It is spoiled by protruding lever bars, and not everyone likes it. Later, when versions with a sliding gear (sliding channel) appeared, the gear was not able to transfer the opening force efficiently enough. This led to the fact that not everyone could open the doors.

Solution found. Instead of a gear, a cam mechanism was installed. This contributed to a more efficient transmission of the opening force. The transmission of force, on average, is even higher than that of gear models. The advantage of these models is the absence of that protruding “knee”, and the disadvantage is the price. Another drawback is that such models do not work with heavy doors. For a small gate with a light filling, it is still possible to find it, but for massive ones it will no longer work.

How does a sliding channel closer work? The cam (can be symmetrical or asymmetrical) is installed between two cylinders – opening (working in other terminology) and brake (damping). The spring is behind the opening. When we push the sash, the cam moves, compressing the working spring, and the damper piston “stretches” behind the cam. After the opening force is removed, the spring begins to straighten. She pushes the cam back, which pushes the braking piston. So it turns out that the second cylinder slows down the closing.

Pneumatic or hydraulic

There is another type of door closer for the street – pneumatic. It appeared over 100 years ago. This is a spring that is sealed in a metal case. A lever is welded to it, which is usually attached to the sash. The design is very simple, the price is very low.

So maybe it’s better to put pneumatic closers on the gate? In general, this option is not bad, but far from ideal. We must choose according to the situation. Here are the highlights:

• Hydraulic models are adjustable, but the closing speed of the leaf depends on the temperature. This means that when the weather changes, adjustment is required.
• The operation of pneumatics is independent of temperature, but they cannot be regulated. If you have chosen the wrong model (the door or gate closes too quickly or too slowly), there is nothing to be done about it.
• Pneumatic more massive.
• The price of pneumatic closers is higher, since the production technology is more complex (it is more difficult to ensure tightness).

In short, for regions with very cold winters, the best choice is to install a pneumatic gate closer. For regions with milder climates, choose at your own discretion.

Additional functions of closers

At the moment, there are five additional features that increase the usability of the door closer. Whether you need additional features for a door closer is up to you. Without them, everything will work, but some of the nuances of use will be a little worse.

• Hold open. Pretty useful feature for doors. You can “stop” them in the open position to bring something, for example. To do this, you need to open at a certain angle (more than usual). The doors will remain in this position. You can close them by slightly pushing in the direction of closing. But, in the case of installation on the gate, this function is not very relevant. To bring in something heavy or voluminous, you can open the gate.
• Delayed closing. This is when the doors remain open for some time (20-30 seconds), and only after this pause do they begin to close. It is convenient if someone “slow-moving” or with bags in their hands, with a stroller comes in. If there are elderly people in the family, or replenishment is planned, this can be a useful option.
  

• wind brake. Devices with this option prevent the door from opening too quickly, which can happen with strong winds or jolts. This function is implemented using an additional circuit for the movement of oil. Screws are built into it, with the help of which the maximum opening speed is selected. In regions with strong winds, installing a gate closer with a wind brake is a great idea.
• Closing speed adjustment. The speed of movement of the sash is not the same. The last 15° it increases. This is done to overcome the resistance of the door latch. Experts call this function “dohlop”, it can be useful to be able to regulate it. For example, when replacing a lock/latch.
  

• Thermal shield. As the temperature drops, the oil becomes more viscous, which causes the gate to move more slowly. Conversely, when the temperature rises, the movement speeds up. This is solved by seasonal adjustment, and a thermal damper helps to do without adjustment. This is a special valve arrangement that compensates for changes in oil flow. Quite a handy thing, especially for gates.

Mounting methods

There are closers of open and hidden installation methods. Open – overhead models of both types (with gear and cam). Concealed installation is possible in the floor, in the door leaf or in the door frame. There are also closers built into the hinges.

If we talk about the closer for the gate, of the concealed mounting models, those built into the frame or into the door leaf are suitable. Using flush-mounted models for a gate is a good idea. With this option, intentional incapacitation is unlikely, but the price will be considerable. And yet, a specialist should install and repair a hidden door closer. Their services are also not cheap.

Closers in hinges can be used for light gates. They are not designed for large masses. Disadvantages of this option: in a small possibility of adjustments, a decent price, in the inability to use with gates / doors of large mass.

That is why ordinary – knee / lever – closers are often placed on the gates. The clincher is usually price. Only when choosing, pay attention to the temperature range of use. It should cover about 20% seasonal fluctuations in your area.

For gates without top rail

All models described above provide for the presence of a door frame or top rail for wickets and gates. But not all gates (and not even all gates) have this same crossbar. How then to mount the closer? In principle, you can install “wrong” by attaching the lever to a pole or wall located nearby. But, in this case, you lose the warranty. In fairness, it should be said that warranty claims in this group are very rare.

There are closers that are specially designed for gates without crossbeams. And the choice is no less:

• Vertical hydraulic or pneumatic closer. The principle of operation is slightly different and the spring is used not for compression, but for twisting. Mounted on a pole, can have an opening angle of not more than 90 °. So the option is not for everyone.
  

• Closers for gates without crossbar. These are modified models with a special form of thrust. They also consist of two parts. One is attached to the sash, the second can be:
  • with pole mount;
  • with installation on the wall (brick pillar);
  • flush-mounted – built into the profile (not many options, but they are).
    

• Hinges with closer. They can be used for different opening angles of the gate, up to 180°. But, if you do not need to open the gate so much, take it with a smaller angle. Models with a wide opening angle can also be mounted with a smaller opening angle, but they are more expensive.
  

• Electric closers. Can be with remote control and blocking. They are rarely used in private homes, as they are expensive and require a backup power supply. Connecting them is not easy and in order to maintain the warranty for an expensive device, you will have to pay for installation.

The easiest way is to install a door closer in the form of loops on the gate. Here, in general, everything is clear, it is only necessary that the pillar and the canvas be strictly vertical. And the appearance is not annoying. The disadvantage of this option is that such devices are not designed for a large mass. Usually the limit is no more than 75 kilograms.

Vertical closers and special ones for gates have approximately the same installation complexity and a comparable price (this is if we talk about products from the same manufacturer). Look for the option that goes by weight and operating conditions.

Briefly about the selection rules

Now we will not talk about the choice of parameters and additional features, but about the general principles of selection in terms of technical characteristics. There are three main selection criteria:

• Wicket size.
• Her mass.
• Installation method.

The first step is to determine how you will install. Then look for a combination of size and weight. If there is no exact “hit” by weight, take a device that is designed for a slightly larger mass. Too much stock is not needed. It will not affect durability, but the price of devices for heavier gates increases significantly.

At the same time, taking a closer designed for a smaller mass is also not worth it. This saving will manifest itself in the fact that the device will work poorly (it will close too slowly) or break quickly.

About manufacturers

A few words about manufacturers. European closers are reliable, but expensive. But the quality and appearance are unquestionable. Claims are very rare – less than 1%. Russian ones are more or less normal in price and usually acceptable in quality. Appearance can be good. Both there and there, if it is stated that they work at -30 ° C, then this is true.

With Chinese gate closers, as usual, it is not easy. Only units have actually been tested at low temperatures and have a test report or certificate about this. And they will work fine in the winter. If there is no certificate, even if it is written that they will work even at -50 ° C, this is far from a fact. We need to look for reviews of real users of these models. Moreover, it is models, since another modification may not work, or even a different batch. In general – how lucky. As usual, prices for Chinese door closers are more affordable.

Installing a gate closer

With any closer there is an installation instruction. It lists all possible installation options and their features. Mounting templates for all methods are also included. The templates are in full scale. They must be placed and fixed according to the instructions. Then, either make marks (on a wall or brick pillar) for drilling holes, or punch marks on metal parts.

After that, the template can be removed (it is also possible to drill through the template – so as not to be mistaken). According to the marks, drill holes for installing fasteners. All diameters are indicated, the fastener itself is usually included. Dowels must be installed in a wall or brick pillar.

Next – install and fix the parts. If the lever is connected, unscrew the nut, mount two separate parts. One is attached to the frame / pole / wall, the second – to the sash.

The last step in mounting the door closer is fastening the lever. First you need to choose the correct length. It should be such that, after connection, the lever is perpendicular to the door. In this case, the closer will work normally, will not jam or close too quickly. Wear will also be less. In general, it is important to set the correct lever length. You may have to change the length several times.

When the correct length of the lever is selected, we combine the ends, install a special bolt and nut with gaskets (all included). Sometimes the lever has its own connection, which you just need to “snap”. This means that you need to match the corresponding edges of the levers and press down until you hear a click. Actually everything. Then it will only be necessary to adjust the closing speed and other parameters that the model you have chosen allows you to adjust.