Why social housing is turning to concealed door closers
Why social housing is turning to concealed door closers
Overhead door closers are easily vandalised and often removed, and each repair costs housing providers time and money. This article looks at why concealed closers, hidden in the door jamb, are becoming the more reliable and cost-effective choice for social housing.
What is a concealed door closer?
A concealed door closer sits inside the door jamb, rather than mounted above the door. Like a conventional overhead closer, it controls the speed of a door’s swing and can be fitted to fire and non-fire doors alike.
Why are overhead door closers a problem in social housing?
They’re visible and exposed, making them an easy target for vandalism. They also present a ligature risk, and are commonly taken off in homes where an automatically closing door isn’t wanted. Repeated repairs and replacements are costly for housing providers. Another challenge is that the overhead body often clashes with the wall if the door opens on a right angle to the adjacent wall.
How do concealed door closers prevent this?
Because they’re hidden within the door jamb, they’re barely noticeable even when the door is open, and invisible when it’s closed. Vandalism is often spontaneous. An unnoticed closer isn’t perceived as a target, and can’t be forcibly removed. Because the closer body is concealed within the door leaf, it also helps where space is at a premium, enabling a better opening angle for the door.
What happens when an overhead closer is damaged?
On fire doors, damage compromises the door’s ability to prevent fire spread, and the whole door, not just the closer, must be replaced to meet safety regulations. On non-fire doors, repeated repairs are costly to the provider and disrupt residents and maintenance teams. Concealed closers avoid these risks entirely.
Are concealed door closers cost-effective?
Overhead closers are cheaper upfront, but the ongoing cost of repeated repairs, replacements and call-outs can far exceed the investment in a concealed closer over a property’s lifetime. Reducing vandalism reduces long-term cost.
Do concealed door closers save space?
Yes. Unlike overhead closers, Samuel Heath’s concealed closers need no extra clearance, which is useful in tight spaces like halls, corridors and toilets, especially where a door opens against a wall.