Traditional Door Closers

What Is a Traditional Door Closer?

A traditional door closer is a mechanical device designed to automatically close a door after it has been opened. These closers are typically surface-mounted or concealed and use internal springs and hydraulic fluid to control the speed and force of the door’s closing action. They are most commonly found in commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and historic properties, where consistent and safe door operation is essential.

How Traditional Door Closers Work

Traditional door closers operate using a spring-loaded hydraulic mechanism. When a door is opened, the internal spring is compressed. As the door closes, the spring releases energy while the hydraulic fluid controls the speed and ensures a smooth, controlled motion. These closers can often be adjusted for:

• Closing speed

• Latching speed

• Backcheck (to prevent slamming)

This makes them highly reliable and customizable for various commercial applications.

Why Traditional Door Closers Are Still Important

Despite the rise of modern automatic door systems, traditional manual door closers remain critical in many buildings, especially:

• Historic buildings, where the original hardware is integrated into the structure

• Commercial facilities, where durability and simplicity are valued

• Code-compliant entryways, requiring self-closing mechanisms for fire safety

They are designed to last for decades when properly maintained, which is why many are still in use today.

Common Brands of Traditional (Pot Type Surface Closers) Door Closers

Some of the most trusted and long-lasting traditional door closer brands include:

• Corbin

• Russwin

• LCN

• Lockwood

• Norton

• Sargent

• Yale

These closers are often excellent candidates for rebuilding or repair, especially when installed in high-traffic areas or older buildings where replacement might be difficult or costly.

Rebuilding Traditional Door Closers

At Upstate Door Control, we specialize in the repair and rebuilding of traditional manual door closers. Rather than replacing these durable and often historic mechanisms, we restore them to full working condition — preserving their appearance, fit, and functionality.

Rebuilding traditional door closers is:

• More cost-effective than replacing

• Environmentally responsible

• Better for preserving original architectural integrity

Trust the Traditional Door Closer Experts

If you’re dealing with leaking, sticking, or non-functioning door closers, let us help. We provide professional door closer rebuilding services across Greenville, SC and the Upstate South Carolina area, helping building owners extend the life of their commercial and historic door hardware.

Call Us Now at 503-908-1453

Partners with Universal Door Controls LLC