How to make an apartment door closer. How to install and adjust the door closer for automatic closing

The door closer is a very useful thing in everyday life. If you install it, using the doors in an apartment or house will become much more comfortable. Even if in a hurry you didn’t close it quietly, carefully, such a design will complete the operation for you, and there will be no annoying pop. Do-it-yourself door closer to make and install is quite simple, if you are smart.

The simplest version of the closer

For the manufacture will require not so many materials. Before you start making your own door closer, be sure to pay attention to its weight. For the manufacture of the simplest design, a load is required.

The more massive, heavier the door in size, the more weight the closer should have. Those who for the first time make such a necessary thing in everyday life for doors with their own hands are usually advised to try to determine the weight of the load empirically. There is no definite formula for how to calculate the mass of cargo.

For the simplest version of the closer, you will need a cable or rope. In order for it to move up and down, another element is needed for the door - a wheel. The load is attached to the end of a rope or cable. It is he who will pull the canvas. But another question arises: what to do so that the door leaf and the wall do not suffer, because the load will beat against them and this action will not have a positive effect on their appearance?

To prevent this from happening, they take a piece of plastic pipe, put a load into it and attach it to a cable or rope, attach the structure to the canvas - and the closer is ready.

Closer based car door lift

If the door in the car is broken, do not rush to throw out its lift. To make such a mechanism, they take lifts from 3 or 5 car doors. They are fixed to the canvas in such a way that the cover bracket is located between the axis of the hinges.

The strength of such a door closer is that its manufacture does not require the purchase of complex mechanisms.

And even if the doors are wide open, they will then gently close themselves softly and smoothly.

Spring based closer

Another version of the door closer to a light wooden canvas can be made independently. The main structure will be a spring, when closing and opening, it will gently return the canvas to the position where it was. The closer, arranged according to this principle, is performed quickly. But it is not suitable for massive heavy canvases, since the spring tends to become unusable quite soon with constant use.

The spring design of the closure, if complicated, will become many times more reliable and durable. But first you need to figure out what other elements are needed to install the entire structure on the door. The spring is its basis. But you still need a shock absorber that would slow down the movement of the door.

The damper of the closer is arranged according to the principle of an ordinary piston. It consists of two chambers containing oil. The door opens - one of them fills with oil. When it is closed by means of such a design, the oil is poured into another. There is nothing fundamentally new in the arrangement of such a mechanism that a person would not have learned from a school physics course.

The door closer is quite capable of being made by a novice master, if the inside of the device is correctly executed. In order for the oil to move back, a bypass valve must be installed inside this design. But you can go the other way: do not install an oil shock absorber on it, but put a conventional pump instead.

It is believed that it is quite difficult to fit it to the work of the door. This is true, because such a closer, like the one that is arranged in the form of a rope and a primitive load, is adjusted to the functioning of the doors only by experience.

To make a similar design, a rack and pinion is also selected. Its size depends on the size of the structure. The load on the spring comes through it. The stronger the gear rack, the longer the closer will last and be more reliable in operation.

Those who prefer to resolve the issue without resorting to such complex devices even offer to use a piece of old rubber or a part of an automobile camera as a closer. It will not look so aesthetically pleasing, but for some time it is able to work quite reliably, until the owner of the house or apartment makes another design with his own hands.

Door closer installation

Mounting the closer is an equally important part of working with it. The functioning of this device depends on how correctly it is performed.

Mounting the door closer includes the following steps:

determination of the door opening angle;
using a template from the kit;
marking holes on the door and on its frame;
drilling marked holes;
fixing the lever with screws;
spring adjustment.

Having decided on the opening angle of the door, we apply the selected template to it. Using a pencil, chalk or other drawing utensils, we outline four holes on the door, where the structure itself will be attached.

On the box bordering it, we outline two holes. They show exactly where on the door frame the base of the lever should be fixed. The markup must be done carefully, slowly, because the quality of the closer installation and its subsequent functioning largely depend on its accuracy.

Once the markup is done, the holes are drilled. Using screws, the lever of the structure is fixed. The lever then needs to be moved to the axis of the closer. To securely fasten it there, you need a strong screw. The body of the device is mounted on the door with screws. The further quality of operation and the correct installation of the device depend on the performance of the following operation.

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Doors meet us in any institution, whether it is an entrance to an entrance, an apartment, a room, administrative buildings or technical premises. Sometimes they give in to us easily and silently, quickly open and close, then we seem to not notice them, without being distracted by the need for additional efforts. But in case of any malfunction, the discomfort of opening the door becomes very noticeable and only adjusting the door closer can help. With your own hands, you can not only adjust, but also install the mounting mechanism, so feel free to take on this procedure.

The door closer is adjusted manually, without the use of additional equipment. You may need, perhaps, a screwdriver. Most often, the screws that secure the device to the plane and frame require a straight-slotted screwdriver.

Features of the design of the device and the progress of the adjustment

Adjustment of the door closer is impossible without a clear understanding of the principle of operation of the mechanism. A closer is a spring combined with rollers and pistons, or with a gear mounted on a rail. When the door opens or closes, the mechanism comes into action, collecting or, conversely, opening the spring. In this case, the vacant cavity is filled with oil. The combination of hydraulics and mechanics gives a reliable and simple device that does not require additional care, except for careful handling.

Preparatory stage

If your door slams shut with a deafening thud from a draft, pinches children's fingers as soon as they weaken the force holding the door, it is difficult to open, as if stuck in one of the stages, it's time to adjust the door closer.

Like any work, adjusting the door closer begins with the preparation of the necessary materials. You will need: a screwdriver, original instructions, photo examples of repairing and adjusting the device, a chair that you can stand on if your height does not allow you to comfortably reach the top mount.

First you need to open the box. This is a rectangular box. Removing the top cover is usually not difficult, it is fixed by the snap-in principle. The principle of the cabinet construction is the same in any kind of door closer, so even if your system looks like an impregnable metal plate, most likely there are invisible seams somewhere, and it's all about skillful design.

How to adjust the door closer, tell the principle of its operation.

Perhaps your device only has two valves. In this case, their adjustment will be enough. Tighter or looser, it's up to you. If the door is difficult to give in, you need to loosen the fixation, because it is inconvenient, the door can be difficult to give in to children, press a pet, create an additional load when bringing in and taking out goods. If the door is loose and closes and opens easily and quickly, there is a risk of getting hit by the door.

Door closer device.

Adjustment of door closers should alternate with testing the result. To do this, the door will have to be opened wide and closed, at the beginning with some effort, and then - releasing. The ideal speed will be a slow, even closing, at the last stage of which the latch quickly slams shut. If we are talking about the entrance door, for security reasons, you can increase the closing speed so that no one can enter the house by following the tenant.

Working with screws

With a rough idea of what result you want to achieve, you are ready to learn how to adjust the door closer. On the instructions supplied by the manufacturer, two screws are usually indicated, which are responsible for the speed of closing the door.

They are numbered 1 and 2, so you can easily identify them on the door closer. They can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise. It is important to remember that turning more than two turns of any of the screws can lead to breakage. The first such screw (or valve) is responsible for opening the door from 15 to 180 degrees, the second acts as a closer, that is, it regulates the speed of the door in the range from 0 to 15 degrees and ensures reliable closing with a latch or combination lock. The rotation of each of these nuts-screws is reflected in the properties of the door.

In some models of door closer adjustment, there may be more filigree. This happens if the closer setting allows the door to delimit the opening angles more carefully.

Additional functions

The wind brake, referred to as BC (Back check), prevents the door from hitting when turning 180 degrees. He is responsible for adjusting the door closer at the stage from 70 to 180 degrees, slowing down the closing speed.

The delayed closing function DA (Delay action) prevents the strong pressure of the door in the area from 180 to 70 degrees, allowing a person to calmly pass through the door after opening it without making additional efforts.

Additional functions.

The Hold Open function allows you to lock the door in the open position. To do this, it will only be necessary to open it wide open. To close the door, you will only need to forcefully pull it towards you.

For the first two functions, there are separate screws that look like the main ones. You can set up the advanced door closer with the same screwdriver that is used for a conventional device.

Most often, the closing retarder is located next to the two main valves, and the aircraft separately, on the same plane.

Before adjusting the door closer, you can watch a video, but even a child can handle this work. Turning clockwise increases the closing speed, counterclockwise decreases it. This rule applies to all screws available on the door closer, both in the "sliding" and in the "lever" system.

The adjusted position of all valves will lead to a perfect operation of the door. The reliability that the door closer will have can be guaranteed by adjustment for several months in advance. The subtlety is that in winter and summer there are different temperature conditions of operation, and the oil inside the mechanism can affect the speed of spring compression in different ways. In view of this, it is better to tighten the screws at least twice a year, after winter and after summer. If the characteristics of closing the door change after the winter, you should not be upset, this is normal, the main thing is to return the actual properties of the door to the proper level in time.

How to adjust the door closer is described in detail in the video presented in our article. It describes the process of work in stages, thanks to which even a person who is far from construction and crafts will be able to correct such details in his home.

Ease of action

There are a number of useful tips on how to save the mechanism and not adjust the door closer in the future. First of all, you do not need to load the mechanism - do not let children ride on the door, do not hang heavy objects on it. Secondly, do not press hard on it when opening it. Thirdly, choose a door closer that matches the parameters of your door.

Our article, as well as photo and video materials, can suggest how to adjust the door closer with your own hands. Strength is not needed here, skill is enough, so both a woman and a teenager can cope with such work. If you don't know how to adjust your or public front door closer, don't despair, just imagine if you'd like to close faster from the widest position, or just slam at your fingertips. In a couple of seconds, you can understand how to increase the resistance of the door and how to weaken it. Any door closer is easily adjustable and can only be broken if the tension force exceeds its technical capabilities. In this case, you will see an oil leak, and this will mean that the device will have to be changed. After completing the work, do not forget to replace the cover and check the operation of the door again.

What to do if nothing works?

It happens that the door closer is adjusted with good informational preparation, the instructions are at hand, but still the result cannot be achieved.

The range of modern closers is very diverse.

In this case, the point is the wrong choice of this part, especially for heavy metal entrance doors. Most likely, the European standard index does not match the weight or width of the door, the mounting bracket is incorrectly attached, or the holes for the self-tapping screws that hold the closer are displaced.

In this case, the question of how to adjust the door closer is not correct, since you need to change the doors of the intercom, or, more likely, remove the door closer and insert a new, more powerful one. You should also pay attention to the lever, it should be perpendicular to the plane of the door. If it is misaligned, one of the closer links may need to be moved. When purchasing door closers, be aware that adjustment is easy, especially if the instructions are not lost.

Increasingly, door closers of various designs are installed on entrance and interior doors. This is a very useful tool. It allows you to control the time and force of closing the door. This makes it possible to avoid the appearance of drafts, rapid loss of heat in the room. In addition to these functions, it allows you to reduce the load on the entire system. This is especially important for loops. They are operated longer in the presence of the presented mechanism. Closing is fast and smooth.

How to install a door closer? The advice of experienced craftsmen will help you. Even doing such work for the first time, almost anyone can do it well. It is necessary to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions. In this case, it will not be difficult to mount the system on the door and adjust it.

Device principle

A special type of construction allows you to perform all the functions that modern door closers have. Overhead mechanisms are most often installed on a plastic door or metal, wooden varieties.

The system has a spring inside, which is compressed when the sash is opened. This allows it to accumulate energy sufficient for subsequent closure.

The second important element is the oil filler. He is responsible for the smooth movement of the sash. Oil flows through a special system of ducts from one chamber to another. Smoothness of closing depends on its viscosity.

The presented characteristics can be adjusted. Therefore, the installation of a door closer requires certain knowledge.

Top closer type

In total there are 3 main types of closers. The most famous of these is the top (or invoice) mechanism. It is he who is most often installed on a variety of types of doors.

Transfers force to the spring. This is the most affordable and easy to install door closer. Its price is quite small. Therefore, this mechanism is very popular.

This group includes closers with gear and sliding rod. In the first case, the force is transmitted to the lever by a gear with a font or a piston. They are most often installed on doors. Closers with sliding traction have not yet received proper distribution. They are used in a fairly limited area.

Outdoor varieties

If much attention is paid to interior design, then most often the choice falls on floor types of closers. They are designed at the stage of renovation planning. Installing this type of door closer is a little more difficult.

The fact is that this mechanism cannot be installed on a door with hinges. The closer in this case is itself a system on which the canvas is installed. A recess is made on the floor into which the closer is mounted. At the same level, the second part of the mechanism is fixed on the ceiling.

Such loop closers are planned to be installed when arranging doors without a box. Most often they can be found in shopping centers. Floor closers put a limit on the weight of the door. They are not designed for canvas that weighs more than 300 kg. Their installation requires certain skills. If the lower and upper loops are not at the same level, the mechanism will fail very quickly.

Hidden closers

Another type of mechanisms presented are hidden closers. They can be in hinges or crash into the door leaf. In the first case, the installation does not differ from the installation of canopies. But in the second approach, the procedure will be somewhat more complicated.

When studying how to install a closer on a door, it is necessary to consider in more detail the installation of such a system. It is quite possible to do it yourself. For this, places for inserting 2 grooves are selected. One of them is most often located on the upper end of the canvas. The second groove cuts into the top of the door frame.

Installation is carried out with a drill. When choosing this type of mechanism, the width of the full opening of the door should be taken into account. The presented varieties are also in demand.

Door closer selection

In order for the installation and configuration of the mechanism to be performed correctly, it is necessary to carefully consider the process of choosing a closer class. There are 7 types of mechanisms in total. This approach takes into account the weight of the door. The heavier it is, the higher the class of the device you need to purchase. For example, a front door closer that weighs 105 kg must be class 6. The device of the 5th group simply cannot withstand such a load. But taking the mechanism with a margin is also not worth it. To open such a door will have to make great efforts.

Also, the class of the mechanism depends on the size of the canvas. For example, if the leaf in both doors weighs the same, but they differ in width, and this must be taken into account. For a larger canvas, high-quality door closers are required. On a plastic door, a mechanism is most often chosen taking into account this indicator. After all, they may weigh little, but have significant dimensions.

When studying the question of how to install a door closer with your own hands, you need to heed the advice of experienced craftsmen. They recommend not installing floor and hidden varieties of mechanisms without at least minimal experience in doing such work. It requires a certain amount of precision.

Therefore, overhead models of mechanisms are most often installed on their own. Today, you can pick up a closer of this variety on almost any door.

Experts recommend paying attention to fasteners. They are often included in the package. Better to buy them separately. Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions. It schematically shows the installation process and explains how to install and operate the device.

Step by step installation instructions

Having chosen the correct class of door closer and its installation location (depending on the opening and type of sashes), you can proceed with the installation.

To understand how to install a door closer, you need to read the instructions. A life-size diagram is applied to the door and jamb. Next are the places for drilling. Material features are taken into account.

Using special equipment, holes are drilled with a diameter corresponding to the fasteners. Further, with their help, the elements of the lever are attached to the canvas and the jamb.

The system is then connected together. The lever knee must be at a 90º angle. If this is not the case, the elements of the mechanism are corrected.

Adjustment

How to adjust the closer, the instructions will help you figure it out. Overhead models usually have 2 screws. The first of them regulates the closing speed, and the second - the strength of the close.

It is necessary to turn the screws carefully, literally no more than half a turn. If you unscrew them, the device will fail. Turning the screw clockwise slows down the movement, and turning it in the opposite direction speeds it up.

Some models have additional screws. They are used if the mechanism has more than one function. Adjusters need to be adjusted periodically. If it is mounted on a street door, this must be done 2 times a year. Indoors, the frequency of this action depends on the operation of the door.

When using such a system, all manufacturer's requirements must be met. The durability of the device depends on this.

A door closer is a mechanical device whose main function is to automatically close an open door. Basically, in the production of door closers, manufacturers use European standards EN 1154, which determine the main parameters of these devices. It is necessary to consider the varieties of these mechanisms and the algorithm of how to install the closer on the door.

With the help of a door closer, the open door closes automatically.

Varieties of closers

Depending on the technical characteristics, closers are divided into the following classes:

By installation method:

hidden;
upper;
floor.

By force of closing (classes EN 1-EN 7). Some models have a range of closing force classes, such as EN 5-7, which allows you to choose the right amount of force.
According to the structure of traction:

Scheme of the device door closer.

with linkage (simple technology, but the mounted closer is not compact);
with a sliding channel (compact when assembled, with a cam mechanism);
floor (installation in the floor).

According to the design of the working mechanism:

cam (the most versatile technology);
spring (obsolete type);
toothed rack and pinion (a common option that provides smoothness and increased pressure when closing).

By type of installation (hidden, surface / overhead).
For additional features:

opening damper (for outdoor canvases);
fixing the open position (with intensive traffic);
closing delay (for low traffic in utility and storage rooms);
coordination of door leaf closing (in case of double doors and fire doors);
Separate rebound setting (for leaves with rubber seals).

Closer selection: its standard equipment

Table of requirements for the moment of closing the door.

Before choosing and installing closers, measure the dimensions of the canvas (width, weight). These are the main parameters that determine the force of inertia, according to which the class of the mechanism is selected. Also, when choosing, one should take into account the temperature conditions of the device and the features of its installation site, for example, whether it is possible to install a door closer.

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The standard equipment of a closer with a link arm contains the following components:

linkage mechanism;
fasteners;
instruction.

Necessary tools and materials

In order to properly install the closer on the door, the following tools are needed:

punch;
wiring diagram 1:1;
perforator or drill.

How to mount a door closer?

Door closer installation sequence.

Installing a door closer consists of several stages. By itself, this work is simple, if you know some of the nuances. As an example, you can consider how to properly install a common type closer - an upper, invoice, having a linkage. In this case, the closer itself with the first part of the lever is installed on the sash, and the second part of the lever and the shoe are installed on the upper quarter of the box. The scope of delivery of this mechanical device contains:

instructions for use and installation of the closer on the door;
housing (device itself);
mounting shoe and lever.

So, you need to understand what is the sequence of actions and how to properly install the door closer with linkage:

Choose a device of the appropriate class, which is suitable for installation on a leaf of given dimensions.
Before installing closers, inspect and prepare the canvas.
Determine the location of its attachment. It depends on the side of the opening at the entrance. “Towards you”: install the body of the device from the side where the hinges are attached to the upper part, and mount the shoe and part of the lever at the top of the box. “From yourself”: install the body on the upper quarter of the box, and the shoe and part of the lever on the doors themselves. This must be done before installation.
Close the sash tightly and place the mounting pattern on the mounting location of the device assembly. Then, with a center punch, through paper, mark the attachment points corresponding to the type of installation of the door closer.
Drill holes in the door block.
Mount the elements with self-tapping screws in the places selected for installation. Then fasten the second part of the lever to the body with a screw. Connect the two parts.
Adjust the lever: set the angle of its inclination to the plane according to the instructions. The value of this angle will correspond to the mode of operation - with or without a catch.
Adjust the closing speed with special screws.
If the element is equipped with additional functions, configure these parameters according to the instructions.

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Door closer adjustment.

This installation of doors is the most common. It can be done both with the help of specialists and on your own.

It should be noted that in the question of how to install a door closer, in the case of installation and operation of it on external canvases, it is necessary to adjust the door closing speed depending on the season. This allows you to extend the life of the product.

How to properly install the mechanism in case of installing a floor version for swing doors or doors with a one-sided rebate? Before installing closers, check their completeness. Typically, the delivery set of such devices consists of:

special door hinges;
closer;
fasteners;
wiring diagram 1:1;
Instructions for use and installation of the closer on the door.

The installation sequence of such a mechanism consists of the following steps.

Mount the door on special hinges: in this case, the hinge located below acts as a lever, fixed from one end to the shaft, and from the other - to the door itself.

After installation, checking the correct installation and before installing the closers, remove the canvas, leaving the hinges on the door frame.

Types of door closer installation.

In the floor, on the hinge side, mark with a paper wiring diagram and drill a recess according to the dimensions of the casing. If a ledge is provided in the canvas, which hides the gap between the canvas itself and the quarters of the box, then it is necessary that the axis of the mounted mechanism be vertical with respect to this ledge. In this case, the upper edge of the prepared recess should go under a quarter of the box by about 0.03 cm. If the aforementioned gap is closed by a recess in the box, then the axis of the device should be positioned so that it coincides with the end of the recess.

In the case of a swing door, when marking the recess before installing the closers, position the installation diagram so that it is parallel and symmetrical to the door leaf.

A door closer is a mechanism that automatically closes a door. Its installation will protect the door from some damage and ensure tight closing. Most often they are used in shops and office premises, but it is also possible to use them in residential buildings and even cars.

Installing a door closer is not an easy task, requiring a professional approach to the choice of design, installation method and adjustment of the device. Those who wish to perform all these works on their own and eventually get a working mechanism should familiarize themselves with the information below.

Closer types

The mechanism works according to the following principle - when opening the door, a person exerts efforts acting on a spring inside the device. Then, the spring returns to its original state, controlling the closing of the door. Closers differ in the type of fastening and are hidden, floor and overhead.

Overhead mechanisms

Applied mechanism

It is these closers that are often found on the doors of offices, shops, entrances. The device is mounted to the top of the door and operates from a gear drive or sliding rod. In the first version, the design looks like a small box with two levers, one of which drives a gear connected to a toothed pin with a spring. These devices are optimally suited for heavy front doors.

The second option is a sliding rod mechanism. It has two functional pistons - opening and braking. This design is more compact than the previous one and is completely hidden under the casing, which increases its reliability.

Floor structures

Floor closer

This type of closer is installed in a recess under the door and is almost invisible. The mechanism consists of a rotation shaft, which is connected to the spring on one side and to the door fasteners on the other.

The design is convenient for controlling the opening of glass doors, including pendulum doors (swinging open in both directions). These closers are more often used in shopping centers with many glass partitions. The need for their use, as a rule, is determined at the stage of drawing up an object project.

Hidden Devices

Hidden type devices are divided into two main subspecies - with a sliding rod and closer loops. The first are not much different from the overhead mechanisms described above, the difference is only in a smaller size and installation principle. One of the parts of the device cuts into the upper part of the door frame, and the second (designed for the movement of the rod) into the lower one.

Closer hinges

The second type (hinges) is the smallest of the designs designed to close doors. It is used for doors with a small mass, usually interior doors. Its disadvantages include installation difficulties (the need to accurately adhere to the axis) and a short service life due to the fragility of the device. If we compare two types of hidden door closers, it is more practical to give preference to the more durable first.

Installation methods

Mounting the closer on the door frame does not require special skills and can be done independently. All the necessary parts for this are sold with the device. The attached instructions contain a detailed description of how to properly install the door closer, as well as the installation scheme recommended for this model. There are three most common installation methods - standard, top and side-by-side.

Standard installation

When mounted by the standard method, the device is installed directly on the door leaf. The mechanism lever is attached to the door lintel. This method is used for doors that open outward.

Upper scheme

With the upper installation scheme, the device body is mounted to the lintel (beam at the top of the door frame), and the lever is fixed on the door leaf. This method is used for door structures that open inward.

Visual material

Parallel arrangement

This installation option can be performed according to the standard and upper scheme. The difference from the methods described above is that with parallel mounting, installation is carried out using an additional part - a plate or a corner. This method is used if there is not enough space on the door lintel to secure the device. The plate in this case serves as a buffer and compensates for the lack of space.

Door closer installation algorithm

The algorithm that allows you to correctly install the door closer consists of a combination of a certain sequence of actions and a number of rules. Rules to be followed during installation:

Carry out the work in accordance with the diagram attached to the device.
For the front door, if there is a choice, it is better to install the mechanism from the inside, and not from the outside. This will protect the closer from the effects of adverse environmental factors - low temperatures, humidity.
Make sure that the selected fixture is suitable for the weight of the door. The heavier the structure, the greater the force applied to open, the closer must have. It is not recommended to install powerful mechanisms on interior doors, because of the possibility of damage to the hinges if they are overloaded.
After installation, check the correct installation, the absence of distortions and jamming of the loops.

The table will help determine the desired size of the device

Compliance with the above rules will keep the door closer and door structure operational longer.

The main stages of installing a door closer

Although all devices have differences, the principle of their installation and the sequence of work performed in this case are similar. To install the closer on the door, you should first familiarize yourself with the attached sketch of the mechanism in the original scale. By attaching this drawing to the door and making marks, it will be much easier to drill holes for fasteners in the right place.

Installing the door closer consists of the following steps:

Choosing the right opening angle and marking for fasteners (there are two or four of them).
Drilling holes on the marks and fastening the mechanism body to the door.
Fixing the lever with a fixing screw on the axis of the device.
Checking the reliability of fastening the body of the mechanism. When doing this, make sure that the nut responsible for setting the spring is opposite to the door hinges.
Adjustment of the lever that controls the opening and closing of the door structure. It should be perpendicular to the door box and connected to the main lever.
The mechanism is closed with a decorative cap and the correct functioning of the device is checked when the doors are opened.

Proper adjuster adjustment

It is not enough to know how to install a door closer, you must also understand the basics of its debugging. Adjustment is required for the mechanism both immediately after installation and during further operation.

The main parameter that needs to be adjusted is the speed of movement. If you notice that the door does not open quickly enough, adjust the spring compression by loosening the lock nut.

Serious deviations in the speed of movement are eliminated by turning the first of the two control valves. It can be rotated no more than two turns in any direction. The second valve allows you to adjust the force of the catch.

Spring compression correction

For entrance doors during the cold season, additional adjustment of the first valve is required. This is because the oil used in the mechanism becomes more viscous and the speed changes.

If there is a need to hold the door in a certain position for a long time, use the closer option called "hold-open". To do this, open the door 90 degrees and tighten the latch. Now the opening will take place in the normal mode until this angle is reached, and then the latch will work. To close, just pull the door towards you.

Hold-open mechanism

This function is not available in every device, but if you provide for frequent airing or bringing in and taking out overall things, it is better to purchase just such a closer. Since if the fixation of the door with the door closer is carried out by foreign objects, for example, a brick, this will create an excessive load on the mechanism and can subsequently lead to breakage.

If your device can't be debugged, it might be due to a bad installation. To avoid this, check that the adjusting nut is in the correct position and that the lever is at right angles to the door structure. If errors are suspected during installation, the mechanism should be removed and, referring to the diagram, reinstalled.

Do-it-yourself closer

It is not necessary to buy a ready-made device, there are several ways to make a door closer with your own hands. Let's start with the simplest of them.

To make it you will need a strong rope or cable, a wheel and a load. The weight of the load will have to be determined experimentally, depending on the massiveness of the door. The weight, which should pull the door leaf, is attached to the end of the cable, moving up and down, thanks to the wheel. So that the door leaf does not suffer when opening due to the load beating against it, the latter is placed in a plastic pipe case, the entire structure is mounted on the door and a simple mechanism is ready.

The next option is a closer made on the basis of a spring. Such a device functions thanks to a spring that returns the door to its place after opening. Its design is simple, but there is a drawback - it is only suitable for light (interior and car) doors. Installing such a closer on a metal door is irrational, since under heavy loads the spring will quickly become unusable.

In addition to the spring, for the construction of this mechanism, a shock absorber is required to slow down the movement of the door. It consists of two chambers filled with engine oil. When opening, one of them is filled, and when closing, the oil flows into the second. To do this, a bypass valve is installed between the chambers.

Self-construction and adjustment of the valve operation can be difficult, and if you have never encountered such devices, it is better to purchase the part ready-made. Another necessary component of a spring closer is a rack and pinion. It will apply the load to the spring and should be strong enough.

Homemade spring closer for a car

You can also achieve smooth closing in a simpler way, using a piece of old rubber instead of a closer. True, such a design does not look aesthetically pleasing, but it is quite capable of performing its functions until the best option is acquired.

Whatever you choose - a home-made device or a ready-made mechanism - with the right approach to installation and operation, they will cope with the tasks assigned to them. We hope that the information on how to install and debug the closer will help you eliminate problems with slamming doors and drafts in your home and office. Good luck!