Replies

1. 
   timkline | Nov 21, 2004 09:22pm | #1

   Yale did make a side jamb mounted closer. I don't know if it is still available.  But, when you say "the hinges are located at the bottom half of the door" it sounds as though your head jamb has a pretty serious arch which means the doors' leading edge is 9'6" but the hinge side is only maybe 6' or less. If this is the case, a side jamb mounted closer becomes a head basher.

   I would recommend that you get a commercial closer from a local commercial door hardware supplier. The mount could happen a couple of ways. The most attractive is a Rixson floor mounted closer buried in the floor before the door is installed.  I'm sure this option is out of the question.

   Next best is a method we often used on doors in a Catholic seminary with arched heads. We used a heavy duty commercial closer in a parallel arm mount. The closer was mounted on the interior face of the door and the arm bracket is mounted to the arched head. It required fabricating a custom steel bracket for the mounting arm to attach to. Obviously, the closer has to be mounted level, so this jamb bracket needs to compensate for the arch. 

   I have some concerns about the size of your hinges. I think you should consider increasing to at least a 5 1/2" height.  The fact that you have an arched head puts tremendous stress on the top hinge and it doesn't sound like you have space for 4 hinges per side.

   Do NOT use spring hinges.  They are dangerous especially for a commercial space.  Children will lose their fingertips in a hurry.

    

    

   carpenter in transition

1. 
   WillMoor1 | Nov 22, 2004 01:09am | #3

   Thanks for the reply.  I too am concerned about the 4 1/2 inch hinges - I'll probably make them  5 1/2 or 6 inch.  Yes, the top hinge is actually only about 55 inches from the floor and I have three hinges - a parallel arm closer turned 90 degrees would clothesline some kid running by.

   I may look at the Rixon closer - the room is still undone and there are no threshholds in place yet. 

1. 
   VaTom | Nov 22, 2004 02:28am | #4

   My doors are a little heavier, especially the one that holds another door (door-in-a-door).  That comes close to 600 lbs. (6½'x8').  Ballbearing hinges, 3-4½" ones, work great.  Arch topped (compound curve) here too, top hinge is about 72", top to floor. 

   Tried to get my local home center to order BB hinges.  They refused, told me to add another hinge.  Found somebody else who was serious about doors and had what I needed sitting on the shelf.  Our common use doors are 4'x7½' (common sliding door lite in the middle) and swing beautifully.

   Stanley gives load ratings.  My hinges come via ebay.  PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

2. 
   durabond5 | Nov 21, 2004 11:48pm | #2

   You could use a Rixson floor closer. They are nice because you don't see any of the mechanisms. It sits in the floor under the threshold. They also have a hold-open feature. But they are very expensive.