Door Closer vs Spring Hinges ?

[Westbank]

I have to install a self-closing mechanism on the fire-rated door in my attached garage (between house and garage). For most residential applications, I’ve mostly seen contractors using door closers. They work fine and they are easily adjustable. I just talked to a city inspector and was told that another option is to install spring hinges. It seems to be the popular choice nowadays.

I was wondering if anyone has long term experience with self-closing hinges. Are they easy to adjust? Do they need frequent adjustments?

 

[v8only]

Spring hinge need to be adjusted a few times at installation then they are good to go, however they dont have the same "power" as a full hydraulic door closer and will eventually wear out. In my shop i have two spring hinges on the door just to get it to close automatically.

If this door will be used heavily I would get a used or new commercial door closer.

 

[Cyberbear]

The only spring hinges I'm familiar with are those older style often sold at home supply stores and used on wooden screen doors or bi-swing half doors used in offices. The spring hinges are cheap and work well, are adjustable for tension but tend to slam the door w/o a pneumatic or hydraulic closer as well. A commercial unit is best but expensive and is for heavy doors. In the old days self closing was accomplished with a length of small chain and a sash weight attached. LOL

 

[tstaude]

I had to install a couple self closers when we built our daycare, pretty easy to install and they are adjustable in a couple ways. One year and a lot of cycles later...no problems.

https://www.menards.com/main/doors-...er-with-mounting-brackets/p-1444453480617.htm

 

[JasonMcElroy]

I am a big fan of spring hinges. Until recently I lived in a hundred year old house where the main door frame had settled leaving the door to swing to open if not latched fully. My wife and kids would constantly fail to shut it completely and it would swing wide open letting all the heat out, mosquitos in, or whatever else based on the season.

No amount of begging them yielded any improvement. In fact, it just caused more conflict ;-0

I installed spring hinges and stopped worrying about it. My wife was bummed at first because she said they annoyed her (very light springs, don't understand how). Told her the first attempted remedy (asking) failed ;-0

Jason

 

[James-W]

I prefer a door closer over door springs, but either one works.

 

[chevelleshop]

I have spring hinges on a door leading to attached garage, been on for 15 years
and never needed to adjust them.

 

[TLCObsession]

Best bet is to run two spring hinges for balance and to spread the load. No issues, and I have never seen a residential door with anything else in CA or WA.

 

[myredracer]

Also have spring hinges (3) on a fire-rated door into an attached garage. Did an initial adjustment and have been just fine for 10 years. Personally, I'd hate the look of clunky commercial closers in a house.

I would go to a commercial hardware supplier and get some quality spring hinges instead of box store ones.

 

[PT Doc]

Here in Colorado,spring hinges are on all fire doors. At our previous jobs, 2 of the 3 failed over 14 years. Current fire door is much heavier but has 4 hinges. Time will tell of this fail also. They are reasonably priced though so not a big deal.

 

[larry4406]

The new houses I build all use spring hinges. Easy to set and forget it. No clap trap visible.

 

[kbs2244]

They both work well.
The only down side to a closer is the way it juts out into the doorway.
If you have to bring wide stuff through the door you may have to remove it for clearance.

 

[Westbank]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I've decided to go with the spring hinges since they should do the job and will be less of an eyesore.