It is important to remember that commercial door closer materials have a big impact on the safety and functionality of the building, so every single one has special properties influencing the aesthetics, the performance or the durability of the given product. The type of materials used in door closers determines how effective the building is in the short term or in the long term, how secure it is and how expensive the maintenance is, and with such a great impact, it is up to the building manager to make the final decision.
Currently, the best solutions to industrial challenges are provided by worthy competitors in the form of, for example, OUDE, which produces closers effective in high-traffic areas, as well as highly specialized ones for narrow purposes. It has become standard practice to consider the characteristics and uses of various door hardware so that an optimal solution is found in terms of functionality, durability and price.
Are You Choosing the Right Material for Your Commercial Door Closers?
Choosing the right material for a door closer goes beyond functionality and should also consider a number of other factors. It is essential for a commercial device to bear stresses from high usage without any deviations from its specified characteristics at different environmental conditions. Experts in the industry assert that the composition of the material has some bearing on some important aspects:
The type of material used in the construction of closers under most conditions will have a direct effect on how the door operates. In this case, various mounting types of ‘Surface Mounted’ door closers, which happen to be the most common in commercial-type applications, are affected by material control of hydraulic or pneumatic pressure control depending on mounting type.
OUDE stands out as a key manufacturer due to its focus on stringent quality measures for shear door closer materials, which comply with international standards such as ISO9001, CE and UL requirements. We have remained an industry leader, and innovation in material selection and the methods of manufacture has played an important role.
There are several key materials that are used to make door closers in commercial applications, which include:
Traffic Volume: The intensity of daily usage
Environmental Exposure: Requirements for installation indoors or outdoors.
Aesthetic Requirements: Visual integration with building design
Budget Constraints: Initial cost vs. long-term value
Maintenance Needs: Amount of time and effort needed for maintenance.
A large part of the effectiveness of a commercial door closer can be attributed to the materials it is made of. These materials can be specially tailored for use according to the environment and application required. Thus, there are five main materials that are widely used in the manufacturing of commercial door closer products.
| Material | Key Features | Advantages |
| Aluminum Door Closers | – All-metal body construction | – Durability and longer service life |
| – Lightweight yet sturdy | – Cost-effective | |
| – Adjustable sizes | – Versatile for various applications | |
| – Meets ANSI Grade 1 and ADA standards | – Good environmental resistance | |
| – Weather-resistant | ||
| Stainless Steel Door Closers | – Superior strength | – High strength for demanding areas |
| – Corrosion resistance (304 & 316-grade) | – Excellent corrosion resistance | |
| – UL 3-hour fire-rated certification | – Fire-rated and adaptable to various environments | |
| – Suitable for outdoor and indoor use | – Low maintenance | |
| – Low maintenance | ||
| Brass Door Closers | – Aesthetic value | – Ideal for prestige installations |
| – Natural antimicrobial properties | – Resists bacterial growth | |
| – Temperature stability | – Performs well under varied temperatures | |
| – Corrosion-resistant | – Excellent for high-end applications | |
| – Heavy-duty durability | ||
| Steel Door Closers | – High strength-to-weight ratio | – Economical for extensive use |
| – Cost-effective | – Reliable performance | |
| – Versatile | – Versatile across different door types | |
| – Reliable in normal conditions | – Customizable for specific needs | |
| – Customizable for specific applications |
Aluminum door closers have become increasingly popular in commercial settings due to their excellent balance of performance and cost-effectiveness. OUDE’s aluminum door closers feature:
Durability: Use of all-metal body construction to facilitate longer service life.
Weight Efficiency: Relatively lightweight yet sturdy construction.
Versatility: Adjustable sizes for different applications
Compliance: Meets ANSI Grade 1 standards and ADA requirements
Weather Resistance: Good corrosion and environmental resistance
Stainless steel door closers are among the highest points of the segment in the market, being tough and reliable. Their distinctive features are the following:
Superior Strength: Very high strength for use in high-demand areas
Corrosion Resistance: Available in both 304 and 316-grade options
Fire Rating: UL 3-hour fire-rated certification
Environmental Adaptability: Suitable for outdoor and indoor use.
Low Maintenance: Based on material quality, the need for maintenance is not high.
Brass door closers adorn and provide the necessary functional capacity, because of which they are preferred in high-end commercial applications:
Aesthetic Value: Suitable for prestige installations in large organizations that require a more traditional look.
Natural Antimicrobial Properties: Inherent resistance to bacterial growth
Durability: Withstands heavy loads and constant usage
Temperature Stability: Operates well in multiple temperature ranges.
Corrosion Resistance: Natural resistance to oxidation
Depending on the type of application, steel door closers are said to be of reasonable value and performance:
Structural Integrity: minimal weight but a pretty high strength to weight ratio
Cost-Effectiveness: Ideal for extensive usage
Versatility: Works well with most door types and ranges
Reliability: reliability in normal conditions
Customization: Not hard to adapt to specific applications
Among these, the following should be considered when selecting the door closer material:
If you are to choose a specific material for a door closer designed for your space or for similar use, OUDE, who has been in the business of manufacturing door closers for 20 years, recommends the following considerations:
The area in which your door closer is to be fitted determines to a greater extent the material used in making it. For instance, OUDE’s steel door closers are weather-proof and highly functional on the outside, while OUDE’s aluminum door closers do best indoors.
It is crucial to understand your facility’s loading to material interaction in order to make the correct choice for the mowing material. For those who might be looking for heavy-duty commercial door closers, OUDE specializes in the 8100 Series, which is designed for quick-changing zones in the egress and provides high performance, delivering instant return and precise accuracy.
We at OUDE have transformed the art of door closer manufacturing with our best-in-class production facilities and quality control. This can be noted in several ways:
Advanced Testing: All of the materials used go through a series of tests at our 16,000m² site
Quality Certifications: Our customers are fully assured of our products as they adhere to EN 1154, ANSI/BHMA A156.4 and UL 10C as international standards
Environmental Responsibility: Manufacturing procedures and materials are made to be environmentally friendly.
Pay attention to these horizontal considerations in the making of your final choice:
It is very understandable that everyone will put focus on looking for costs, however, let us remind you to look at the total cost of ownership. OUDE’ use of materials and construction results in an extended lifespan barring any frequent overhauls.
Take advantage of the directed specialists that OUDE offers in the consultation area. We will be able to help them identify the most suitable material for their door closer.
Investing in door closer materials is an integral part of building security and functionality, venturing into how the environment and patterns of usage will be able to affect maintenance given time. It is not the first time that this guide shows, there are different material options viable for particular use and performance requirements in any commercial situation or design.
The manufacture of door closers by OUDE introduces a range of quality products and innovations which are well-tested and with international endorsements, provide building professionals with reliable solutions. By analyzing the material options available and engaging the manufacturers, facility managers will be able to make sure that this range of products actually has the desired characteristics in terms of performance, durability, and cost efficiency delivered to the commercial space.
