Aluminium door closer manufacturers offer a variety of automatic door closers, including overhead, surface-mounted, concealed, and hydraulic types, each designed for durability and aesthetic appeal.
Door closers are invaluable access control devices that automatically return doors to the closed position after each use. They are available in a diverse range of configurations to suit every door type, frequency of use, and facility aesthetic. Aluminium door closer manufacturers produce these devices in various mechanisms, mounts, and duty ratings.
Let’s explore the most prominent closer categories.
| Door Closer Type | Description | Appearance | Closing Force Capabilities | Mechanism | Automated Assistance | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overhead Door Closers | Self-contained closer mounted above the door opening, connected by a sliding arm. Made from corrosion-resistant aluminum, durable for heavy commercial use. | Visible, boxy mechanical appearance, protrudes from door header. | Controls exterior and interior doors up to 195 lbs. | Mechanical or hydraulic | No, requires manual operation. | High-traffic commercial areas, exterior & interior doors. |
| Surface-Mounted Closers | Compact closer body fastened to the door surface; avoids mortising ornate door frames, used for wood doors. | Minimalistic, armless style, avoids institutional appearance. | Sturdy, suitable for high-traffic environments. | Mechanical or hydraulic | No, requires manual operation. | Retail, healthcare, hospitality, high-traffic areas. |
| Concealed Door Closers | Embedded into the door frame, with only the arm visible when the door is open. Maintains a clean look without visible closer body. | Virtually invisible when the door is closed, discreet appearance. | Suitable for wooden, aluminum, or glass doors. | Hydraulic or mechanical | No, requires manual operation. | Office suites, conference rooms, upscale retail. |
| Hydraulic Door Closers | Uses fluid compression in an oil-filled cylinder for smooth door closing, with adjustable speed and latching force. | Can vary, depending on type (e.g., overhead, surface-mounted). | Smooth and consistent control, adjusts for door size. | Hydraulic | No, requires manual operation. | Commercial settings, where smooth closing is needed. |
| Automatic Door Closers | Low-energy power operator opens the door automatically before closing it; integrates with traditional closer mounts. | Overhead appearance, mechanical with automation integration. | Varies based on door size and weight, requires electricity. | Hydraulic with automation | Yes, provides powered opening and closing operation. | Accessibility needs, hospitals, public buildings. |
| Commercial Door Closers | Heavy-duty construction for extended use; often heat-treated components, adjustable valves for fine-tuned control. | Boxy, robust appearance for durability. | High performance for large, heavy doors in busy areas. | Mechanical or hydraulic | No, requires manual operation. | High-traffic commercial and industrial areas. |
| Heavy-Duty Door Closers | Designed for large, heavy doors, with high-grade components for extreme durability and power, suitable for doors over 200 lbs. | Heavy-duty, rugged, exterior-ready housing, corrosion-resistant. | Provides maximum force, suitable for heavy doors. | Mechanical or hydraulic | No, requires manual operation. | Industrial settings, high-traffic exterior doors. |
Here are a few common types of door closers available out there:
Overhead door closers represent the most common style, with the self-contained closer body mounted directly to the door frame header or transom above the door opening. A sliding arm connects the overhead closer unit to the door top rail.
Sleek aluminum overhead closers feature corrosion-resistant housings finished in silver, black bronze, or gold anodized aluminum. Robust construction stands up to heavy commercial use on exterior and interior doors up to 48″ wide and weighing up to 195 lbs. These durable closers cycle up to 1 million times over an extended lifetime.
Surface-mounted aluminum door closers fasten directly onto the door surface rather than the frame. The compact closer body attaches to the door top or jamb via mounting tabs.
Surface mounting avoids marring ornate door frames with mortises on cherished wood doors. The minimalistic armless style also averts protruding arms snagging clothing or presenting an institutional appearance. These sturdy surface-mounted closers tolerate high traffic levels in retail, healthcare, hospitality, and other demanding settings.
For seamless architectural aesthetics, concealed door closers embed into the door frame header or jamb rather than attaching to door surfaces. Only the arm mechanism is visible when the door is open.
The minimal visual intrusion of concealed closers maintains the clean aesthetic appearance of wooden, aluminum, or glass doors without compromising automatic closure. No bulky closer body is visible when the door is closed. Concealed closers satisfy architectural visions while ensuring positive door control in office suites, conference rooms, and upscale retail settings.
Hydraulic door closers operate on the principles of fluid dynamics rather than direct mechanical force. Pushing the door compresses a piston into an oil-filled cylinder to create hydraulic pressure. Needle valves carefully meter the liquid to smoothly close and then latch the door.
Commercial aluminum hydraulic closers combine the durability of metal housing with hydraulic control across opening and closing cycles. Adjustable speed, latching force, and backcheck settings customize the motion profile. The hydraulic mechanism provides smooth and consistent operation unaffected by temperature.
Automatic door closers integrate a low-energy power operator to actively open the door upon activation before then closing it. This enhances accessibility for the disabled and elderly.
Aluminum-bodied automatic door closers mount overhead and connect to the door like traditional units. However, the integrated operator automatically swings the door open when triggered by push buttons, motion sensors, or radio receivers.
The low-energy operation only requires minimal manual force to trigger opening. Once movement begins, the closer takes over, opening the door fully before returning it to the closed position under hydraulic control. Automatic openers add touchless convenience while maintaining automatic closure.
Commercial-grade aluminum door closers boast heavy-duty construction to withstand rigorous daily use over an extended lifetime. They outperform lighter residential closers and come in standard duty, medium duty, and heavy-duty ratings.
Features like heat-treated components, high-performance springs, bearings, and hydraulic fluid make commercial closers ultra-durable. Heavy-gauge attached arms prevent sagging while maintaining door control integrity. Adjustable valves fine-tune closing speeds and latching force within a wider range compared to residential closers.
For large, heavy doors that see constant cycling in industrial or outdoor settings, heavy-duty door closers provide extreme durability and power. They control doors weighing well over 200 lbs through millions of maximum-stress cycles.
Commercial heavy-duty aluminum door closers boast the highest grades of springs, bearings, arms, and hydraulics to control doors 120 lbs and larger. Exterior-ready housings and components resist corrosion and extremes of weather. Powerful spring latch mechanisms securely close and lock even the heaviest doors against wind gusts.
Here is a quick comparison to help you select a door closer type for your facility:
Overhead door closers typically have a boxy mechanical appearance that protrudes from the door header. Surface-mounted closers also visibly affix to door surfaces. Meanwhile, concealed closers integrate discreetly into door frames or ceilings, maintaining clean sightlines. Concealed closers preserve aesthetics but have more complex installation. Visible overhead or surface-mounted closers are simpler to install but look more utilitarian.
Standard door closers usually provide enough power for lightweight residential doors. But heavy commercial doors in high traffic settings often require heavy-duty closers with higher closing force capacity. These commercial-grade closers have heavy-duty springs and components to control large doors, preventing slamming or damage. Light-duty closers lack sufficient power for heavy doors but appropriately meet residential requirements.
Hydraulic door closers utilize fluid compression in a cylinder to generate smooth, consistent closing motion. The fluid cushions the swing, allowing for adjustable closing speed control. Mechanical closers use spring tension alone, providing less customizable control. But mechanical closers are more affordable and have simpler maintenance needs than hydraulic systems. Hydraulic closers excel at fine-tuned control while mechanical types offer budget-friendly operation.
Basic mechanical and hydraulic closers require manual door operation. Automatic closers have motion sensors, power operators and actuators to provide hands-free, powered operation for accessibility. Automated closers help users with disabilities or when handling items. However, they require electricity and have higher complexity and costs than passive manual closers. Their automation capabilities provide key advantages for many applications.
This wide spectrum of aluminum door closer designs makes finding the ideal automatic closure solution easy, no matter the door type, traffic volume, or facility aesthetics. OUDE is a leading manufacturer of high-quality door closers known for exceptional performance and longevity. Their comprehensive product range includes the 1000 Series of lightweight door closers designed for low-frequency residential doors, up to the robust 9000 Series of heavy-duty closers built to handle large commercial doors in demanding high-traffic settings.
Contact OUDE today and get free sample and the ideal door closer for your facility.
