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| UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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'Low-key' door closer?
Problem of the day...
We have a detached garage used for routine storage (contains fridge, freezer etc) which means that people are forever going in and out of the back door of the house to fetch and carry stuff; because they are fetching/carrying the back door is always left wide open for the duration (OK - we're talking SWMBO and the kids here, so if it's them, the bloody door is always left open, full stop). Drives me nuts as a cold draft wafts through the house every time. Trouble is than even with no wind whatsoever, the door falls open rather than closed by default. No doubt the door could be hung better, to make it close by default but reckon that's beyond me. So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Note that I'm definitely *not* after a formal door closer - that would definitely not be "allowed"! Just something to help the default door position change from 'fully open' to 'just ajar'... Thanks David |
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#2
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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'Low-key' door closer?
In article , davidlobsterpot601
@hotmail.com says... So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Rising butt hinges, http://www.screwfix.com/prods/73685/ or a concealed closer http://www.screwfix.com/prods/12108/ -- Skipweasel - never knowingly understood. |
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#3
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'Low-key' door closer?
"Skipweasel" wrote in message
om... In article , davidlobsterpot601 @hotmail.com says... So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Rising butt hinges, http://www.screwfix.com/prods/73685/ or a concealed closer http://www.screwfix.com/prods/12108/ -- Skipweasel - never knowingly understood. The problem with the concealed closer is that the spring effect is less as the door closes so it may not resist the wind. Greater as it is fully opened possibly leading to complaints about the door fighting back. A "formal" proper closer usually saves some of the energy to give the door a final firm close (if properly set up - many aren't) |
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#4
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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'Low-key' door closer?
On 09/01/2011 14:12, John wrote:
wrote in message om... In , davidlobsterpot601 @hotmail.com says... So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Rising butt hinges, http://www.screwfix.com/prods/73685/ or a concealed closer http://www.screwfix.com/prods/12108/ The problem with the concealed closer is that the spring effect is less as the door closes so it may not resist the wind. Greater as it is fully opened possibly leading to complaints about the door fighting back. A "formal" proper closer usually saves some of the energy to give the door a final firm close (if properly set up - many aren't) Yes the 'fighting back' thing is what wouldn't be acceptable unfortunately: TBH anything which makes the door perform 'differently' won't really cut the mustard. Rising butt hinges, though - intriguing: I though they were just intended to clear floor coverings, though the logic makes sense he how much of a 'gravity' effect would they impart I wonder? David |
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#5
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'Low-key' door closer?
"Lobster" wrote in message ... Problem of the day... We have a detached garage used for routine storage (contains fridge, freezer etc) which means that people are forever going in and out of the back door of the house to fetch and carry stuff; because they are fetching/carrying the back door is always left wide open for the duration (OK - we're talking SWMBO and the kids here, so if it's them, the bloody door is always left open, full stop). Drives me nuts as a cold draft wafts through the house every time. Trouble is than even with no wind whatsoever, the door falls open rather than closed by default. No doubt the door could be hung better, to make it close by default but reckon that's beyond me. So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Note that I'm definitely *not* after a formal door closer - that would definitely not be "allowed"! Just something to help the default door position change from 'fully open' to 'just ajar'... Thanks David How about one of those bungee cords? Or a couple of them hooked together. They will pull the door back. Just a thought ..... |
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#6
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'Low-key' door closer?
On Jan 9, 2:12*pm, "John" wrote:
"Skipweasel" wrote in message om... In article , davidlobsterpot601 @hotmail.com says... *So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Rising butt hinges, http://www.screwfix.com/prods/73685/ or a concealed closer http://www.screwfix.com/prods/12108/ -- Skipweasel - never knowingly understood. The problem with the concealed closer is that the spring effect is less as the door closes so it may not resist the wind. Greater as it is fully opened possibly leading to complaints about the door fighting back. A "formal" proper closer usually saves some of the energy to give the door a final firm close (if properly set up - many aren't) I have some of the above. They are ajustable, though it's awkward. You can fit more than one of them too. The main problem is that they are undamped. (Door slams shut) |
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#7
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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'Low-key' door closer?
In article , davidlobsterpot601
@hotmail.com says... Rising butt hinges, though - intriguing: I though they were just intended to clear floor coverings, though the logic makes sense he how much of a 'gravity' effect would they impart I wonder? Probably enough provided the wind isn't up. Our back gate has a falling log pulling on a rope over a pulley. Constant force at the door, much like a rising butt. -- Skipweasel - never knowingly understood. |
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#8
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'Low-key' door closer?
Lobster wrote:
Problem of the day... We have a detached garage used for routine storage (contains fridge, freezer etc) which means that people are forever going in and out of the back door of the house to fetch and carry stuff; because they are fetching/carrying the back door is always left wide open for the duration (OK - we're talking SWMBO and the kids here, so if it's them, the bloody door is always left open, full stop). Drives me nuts as a cold draft wafts through the house every time. Trouble is than even with no wind whatsoever, the door falls open rather than closed by default. No doubt the door could be hung better, to make it close by default but reckon that's beyond me. So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Note that I'm definitely *not* after a formal door closer - that would definitely not be "allowed"! Just something to help the default door position change from 'fully open' to 'just ajar'... You're looking for the wrong solution. The real problem is that you're storing stuff in the garage which you need frequent access to. Would it not be more sensible to move the fridge and freezer back into the house, and instead to move other storage from the house to the garage, which you use less frequently? There's bound to be plenty of it. It's just that because you use it infrequently it's more difficult to think of it. If the problem is that your door is not well hung, drawing a big willy on it might help. :-) |
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#9
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'Low-key' door closer?
On 09/01/2011 15:57, Donwill wrote:
On 1/9/2011 4:13 PM, The Medway Handyman wrote: "Lobster" wrote in message ... Trouble is than even with no wind whatsoever, the door falls open rather than closed by default. No doubt the door could be hung better, to make it close by default but reckon that's beyond me. So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Note that I'm definitely *not* after a formal door closer - that would definitely not be "allowed"! Just something to help the default door position change from 'fully open' to 'just ajar'... With a 'proper' door closer like these http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Safe.../sd2774/p72799 you can adjust the 'close' and 'latch' speeds to suit the application. But don't even those type, even when set on 'minimum' force offer significant resistance against being opened/closed - as nicely described as 'fighting back' by another poster? Unfortunately that really wouldn't be acceptable here...  A weight, two small plastic pulleys and a length of fishing line, adjust the weight as necessary. I really like the idea of that concept - in principle that's just what's needed. Will think about how I could put that into practice but not sure it would be feasible - door is inside a recess, the pulleys/weight would need to be outside in the narrow, pebbledashed walkway between house and garage and can't quite see where it could go. One idea I was wondering about was attaching some suitably stiff rubber or similar over the hinge gap, which gets bent double as the door opens, and exerts force on the door by trying to straighten itself out again? David |
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#10
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'Low-key' door closer?
On 09/01/2011 23:09, Ronald Raygun wrote:
Lobster wrote: Trouble is than even with no wind whatsoever, the door falls open rather than closed by default. No doubt the door could be hung better, to make it close by default but reckon that's beyond me. So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Note that I'm definitely *not* after a formal door closer - that would definitely not be "allowed"! Just something to help the default door position change from 'fully open' to 'just ajar'... You're looking for the wrong solution. The real problem is that you're storing stuff in the garage which you need frequent access to. Would it not be more sensible to move the fridge and freezer back into the house, and instead to move other storage from the house to the garage, which you use less frequently? There's bound to be plenty of it. It's just that because you use it infrequently it's more difficult to think of it. Good thought, and actually tried that route during the summer rationalising our storage solutions and its helped a bit; however the garage contains our 'overflow' fridge and freezer (plus storage of sundry bulk-buy consumables) we've already got one of each in the house, and short of completely redesigning the kitchen/utility room there's nowhere to fit them, or (better) bigger versions of the models we already have. Once the three gannets (sorry. teenagers) have flown the nest, the problem should resolve itself... If the problem is that your door is not well hung, drawing a big willy on it might help. :-) Good one, I'll take the digital camera upstairs tonight. Fortunately the lens has a wide-angle setting... David |
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#11
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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'Low-key' door closer?
On Sun, 09 Jan 2011 13:33:19 +0000, Lobster wrote:
Problem of the day... We have a detached garage used for routine storage (contains fridge, freezer etc) which means that people are forever going in and out of the back door of the house to fetch and carry stuff; because they are fetching/carrying the back door is always left wide open for the duration (OK - we're talking SWMBO and the kids here, so if it's them, the bloody door is always left open, full stop). Drives me nuts as a cold draft wafts through the house every time. Trouble is than even with no wind whatsoever, the door falls open rather than closed by default. No doubt the door could be hung better, to make it close by default but reckon that's beyond me. So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Note that I'm definitely *not* after a formal door closer - that would definitely not be "allowed"! Just something to help the default door position change from 'fully open' to 'just ajar'... Thanks David I put something similar to this on our lounge door. http://www.gibcloser.com/door.htm Rather basic, but does the job. As we have house rabbits, I didn't want it to slam the door, in case one of them was in the way at the wrong time - but it was possible to set it so that it neither resists opening significantly, nor closes too hard. -- Cheers JW |
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#12
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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'Low-key' door closer?
Ronald Raygun wrote:
Lobster wrote: Problem of the day... We have a detached garage used for routine storage (contains fridge, freezer etc) which means that people are forever going in and out of the back door of the house to fetch and carry stuff; because they are fetching/carrying the back door is always left wide open for the duration (OK - we're talking SWMBO and the kids here, so if it's them, the bloody door is always left open, full stop). Drives me nuts as a cold draft wafts through the house every time. Trouble is than even with no wind whatsoever, the door falls open rather than closed by default. No doubt the door could be hung better, to make it close by default but reckon that's beyond me. So I'm wondering, is there some form of very mild springy type affair i could attach to the door to achieve the same aim? Note that I'm definitely *not* after a formal door closer - that would definitely not be "allowed"! Just something to help the default door position change from 'fully open' to 'just ajar'... You're looking for the wrong solution. The real problem is that you're storing stuff in the garage which you need frequent access to. Would it not be more sensible to move the fridge and freezer back into the house, and instead to move other storage from the house to the garage, which you use less frequently? There's bound to be plenty of it. It's just that because you use it infrequently it's more difficult to think of it. Would it not be be more sensible to store the wife and kids in the garage? -- Adam |
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#13
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'Low-key' door closer?
On 09/01/2011 23:20, Lobster wrote:
With a 'proper' door closer like these http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Safe.../sd2774/p72799 you can adjust the 'close' and 'latch' speeds to suit the application. But don't even those type, even when set on 'minimum' force offer significant resistance against being opened/closed - as nicely described as 'fighting back' by another poster? Unfortunately that really wouldn't be acceptable here... They don't seem to. There's one on the outer door of the building housing my holiday flat, and that seems to open easily enough. One idea I was wondering about was attaching some suitably stiff rubber or similar over the hinge gap, which gets bent double as the door opens, and exerts force on the door by trying to straighten itself out again? Rather than that, why not use a conventional gate spring like this:? http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;js...hbutton=submit -- Cheers, Roger ____________ Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom checked. |
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#14
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'Low-key' door closer?
On Sun, 09 Jan 2011 13:33:19 +0000, Lobster wrote:
No doubt the door could be hung better, to make it close by default but reckon that's beyond me. From what you havs said in other responses rehanging the door might be the better option. Though the cylinder and bar closers do work and can be very gentle in action. The wear in the channel on the door that the bar rests in can be problematical. The default opening of the door is just the hinges not being vertically aligned both in the direction of the pathway through the door and/or inline with the frame. I would hope the frame is vertical so it should just be a case if realigning the hinges a fraction. To default closed I think the top hinge needs to be slightly further into the frame than the bottom, I do mean slightly as well just a mm or two. If I'm wrong I'm sure some one will come along with the correct information shortly. -- Cheers Dave. |
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#15
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'Low-key' door closer?
Wire in a switch that cuts out the TV when the door's open.
I guarantee it will be kept closed. John |
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#16
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'Low-key' door closer?
On 10/01/2011 11:20, John wrote:
Wire in a switch that cuts out the TV when the door's open. I guarantee it will be kept closed. John Nice one! If you're feeling kind, you can build in a delay of a couple of minutes so that the TV doesn't go off *immediately* when you open the door. -- Cheers, Roger ____________ Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom checked. |
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#17
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'Low-key' door closer?
On Sun, 9 Jan 2011 16:13:09 -0000, "The Medway Handyman"
wrote: With a 'proper' door closer like these http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Safe.../sd2774/p72799 you can adjust the 'close' and 'latch' speeds to suit the application. Dave - how are those adjusted? I have one and it would be useful to reduce the pressure on it. The maker's catalogue (at http://www.dande.info/PDF_Catalogue/...-%20001-08.pdf) doesn't show any model with the hexagonal orifice at the ends. Thanks |
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#18
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'Low-key' door closer?
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#19
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'Low-key' door closer?
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#20
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'Low-key' door closer?
On Jan 9, 1:33*pm, Lobster wrote:
We have a detached garage used for routine storage (contains fridge, freezer etc) which means that people are forever going in and out of the back door of the house to fetch and carry stuff; because they are fetching/carrying the back door is always left wide open for the duration Weight and string, attached as far out on the door as is practical. It has the advantage compared to a spring that the force is constant throughout the door's arc. Most spring arrangements are quite non linear. Best of all though is a 1960s school firedoor closer - big old cast iron hydraulic job. They have damping too. |
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#21
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'Low-key' door closer?
On Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:56:06 -0000, Skipweasel wrote:
There's one on a door in a church near here which appears to be contemporary with the church, which was put up by Thomas Telford in the late 1700s. It's got a little brass wheel on the end of the arm and seems to be working just fine. They knew how to make things back then. These days you have a bit of ali channel to take the end of the steel rod without any roller or wheel, it's not long before the ali channel is very badly worn. -- Cheers Dave. |
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#22
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'Low-key' door closer?
In article ,
says... Has anyone seen the type that has a spring loaded roller that hits a U shaped thing on the frame? When the roller is hit it slowly pulls the door closed (poor description) http://www.o-reps.com/id151.html -- Skipweasel - never knowingly understood. |
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#23
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'Low-key' door closer?
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#24
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'Low-key' door closer?
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#25
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'Low-key' door closer?
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