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Is a hydraulic door closer better than a pneumatic


One of the most important factors in your building’s security is a door that is working properly. It’s essential that all of its elements are functional and secure. It’s natural that most people take care of the door frame and locks at first. However, there is another part that can’t be neglected – a door closer.

The main purpose of this device is to ensure that your door closes properly. Combined with a latch guard and a decent lock, it’ll enhance your security. There are many different options for door closers out on the market. Some of them can be mounted on the surface of your door and some might be concealed.

There are two main types of door closers we’re going to talk about today – hydraulic door closer and pneumatic ones. Let’s discuss their working principles and their differences. Maybe, it’ll help you decide which type suits you more.

Hydraulic door closer


First of all, let’s define what a hydraulic door closer is and how it works. This type of door closer consists of the main body, which is usually metallic, a piston, speed screw, main arm, adjusting arm, clamp and a tank for the fluid. When your door is at the 90 degrees angle, this closer allows it to remain open and if you want to close, you can just give it a little push. So, when you open the door or push it, the pressure is applied to the fluid tank. One of the elements that activate the movement of fluid is a piston.
Basically, the liquid moves through the parts of your closer, which enables it to close the door smoothly. There are various types of fluids that can be used for these mechanisms.
Hydraulic door closer
Some people even compare the hydraulic closer mechanism to the human cardiovascular system. The liquid here plays a similar part as the blood in our veins.
Hydraulic door closer

Pneumatic door closer


The second type we mentioned today is a pneumatic door closer. Its purpose is pretty much the same as the hydraulic one. It can keep your door open at 90 degrees and it allows you to control the speed of closing.
The force that activates this door closer is air. Basically, when the door is triggered, the compressed air start moving and it gets inside the cylinder. When there is a certain amount of this air in the cylinder, it activates the arm of your closer and the door starts closing.
resedential Pneumatic door closer
resedential Pneumatic door closer

The differences between hydraulic and pneumatic doors


Even though the purpose of both pneumatic and hydraulic door closers is the same, there are some differences between them.
Well, the first and the main difference between these closers is how they are operated. Hydraulic closer is activated with the help of fluid moving through its body and pneumatic door closer works with the help of compressed air.
Usually, pneumatic closers are used for lighter doors. Hydraulic door closers are considered to be stronger, so they can be installed on heavier doors. However, they have one significant drawback – hydraulic closers are vulnerable to high and low temperatures.
Another difference between these openers is the price. Hydraulic door openers are more expensive than pneumatic ones.

How to choose the best door closer for your needs


So, we already defined how hydraulic and pneumatic door closers work and how they differ. So, which type is better and which one to choose for your door? To be honest, both these closers are secure and functional. Before choosing which one to use, consider a few factors.
First of all, consider the weight of your door. Hydraulic door closers are more suitable for heavier doors, so they’re widely used for industrial purposes.
Also, decide how much you’re ready to pay because, as we already mentioned, hydraulic door closers are more expensive.
No matter what type of closer you choose, you’ll need professional door services to install it.

Summing up


So, we can all agree that a door provides your building with decent security when all the elements are functional. Sure Lock & Key can assist you with any problems you might have with your locks. Other than locks, it’s important to take care of the door closer. Two types of closers that are widely used today are hydraulic and pneumatic ones. We created a little guide about both of these types and we hope you find it helpful.

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