Door Closer Tips: How to Choose, Install, Adjust & Maintain Them the R

At Park Avenue Locks, we’ve been helping contractors, facility managers, and property owners with commercial door hardware since 1985. One of the most common questions we get is about door closers — how to choose them, install them, and keep them working properly.A good door closer does more than just shut the door. It helps with security, fire safety, accessibility, and energy savings. When it’s the right model and properly adjusted, it works quietly and reliably in the background. When it’s not, you’ll hear complaints about slamming doors, doors that won’t close, or doors that are hard to open.Here’s our practical guide with real-world tips we share with our customers every day.Why Getting Door Closers Right MattersMany people treat door closers as an afterthought. That’s a mistake. A poorly chosen or badly adjusted closer can:

Cause doors to slam and damage frames or hardware
Fail to meet fire code requirements
Make doors difficult for elderly people or those with disabilities to use
Waste energy by letting conditioned air escape

Taking a little time to do it right saves a lot of headaches later.Different Types of Door Closers (And When to Use Each)Not all door closers are the same. Here are the main styles we recommend:

Surface Mounted Closers — The most popular choice for most buildings. Easy to install and adjust. Great for offices, schools, and retail spaces.
Regular Arm — Gives strong closing power. Best when appearance isn’t the top priority.
Parallel Arm — Sits flatter against the door. Looks cleaner and works well on fire-rated exit doors.
Top Jamb Mount — Mounted on the frame above the door. Very common on glass storefront doors.
Concealed Closers — Hidden inside the door or frame. Used when you want a clean, modern look.
Floor Closers — Installed in the floor. Extremely durable for heavy glass doors or very high-traffic areas.

Our recommendation: For most commercial jobs, start with a good quality surface-mounted hydraulic closer. They’re reliable, adjustable, and cost-effective.How to Pick the Correct Door CloserChoosing the right size and strength is one of the most important steps. Here’s what we tell customers:

Measure your door width and consider its weight.
Think about how often the door will be used (light, medium, or heavy traffic).
Check if it’s an interior or exterior door (exterior doors usually need more power because of wind).
Decide if you need special features like backcheck (to stop the door from being thrown open too hard) or delayed action (gives people more time to walk through).

Most modern closers we sell (such as LCN and Norton models) are adjustable across multiple sizes, which gives you more flexibility.Simple Installation TipsEven a great closer will perform poorly if it’s installed wrong. Keep these points in mind:

Always use the template that comes with the closer.
Make sure the door swings freely and the hinges are tight before you start.
Double-check that you’re using the correct mounting style for your door (regular arm, parallel arm, etc.).
Take your time with the arm attachment — this is where many installation problems start.

How to Adjust a Door Closer (Step-by-Step)This is the part most people ask us about. Here’s the straightforward method we recommend:Most commercial closers have three main adjustment screws:

Backcheck — Controls how much resistance you feel when opening the door wide.
Sweep Speed — Controls how fast the door closes from the open position.
Latch Speed — Controls the final few inches so the door latches properly.

Quick adjustment guide:

Start by turning all the adjustment screws clockwise until they stop (this closes the valves).
Then turn each screw counterclockwise about 1.5 to 2 turns to start.
Test the door.
Make very small changes (about 1/8 of a turn) until the door closes smoothly and latches without slamming.

Helpful rule: Turning the screw clockwise usually slows the movement. Turning it counterclockwise speeds it up.Pro tip from our team: Always test the door multiple times after adjusting. Small changes make a big difference.Maintenance & Common ProblemsDoor closers don’t need a lot of maintenance, but they do benefit from occasional attention:

Check them once or twice a year, especially in busy buildings.
Listen for unusual noises or look for oil leaks (leaking oil usually means it’s time to replace the closer).
If the door slams, the latch speed is probably too fast.
If the door doesn’t close all the way, the latch speed may be too slow.
If the door is hard to push open, the closing force might be set too high.

Final Thoughts from Park Avenue LocksA properly working door closer should be almost invisible — it just does its job quietly and consistently. Taking the time to choose the right one and adjust it correctly will save you time, money, and frustration down the road.If you’re not sure which closer is best for your specific doors, feel free to reach out to us. Our team has decades of experience and can help you pick the right model for your project.Looking for quality door closers?
We stock a wide selection of commercial-grade closers from trusted brands like LCN and Norton, along with everything else you need for your doors.Shop our commercial door closers here:
https://www.parkavenuelocks.com/commercial-door-closers.htmlNeed help choosing the right one? Call us or send us a message — we’re happy to assist.

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