Fit a door closer — HomeGraft

Fit a door closer to a timber door and frame, choosing the right closer and keeping fire door certification intact.

DC-01Choose the right closer for the doorOverhead door closers are sold in power sizes (usually EN1-EN6) matched to door width and weight, so check the box against your door before buying. Decide between a surface-mounted closer (visible arm, easiest to fit) or a concealed transom closer (recessed into the door top, more work). If this is a fire door - common in flats, HMOs, and communal hallways - you must fit a closer certified for fire doors and keep the door's fire certification intact.

RULES

1 each · Overhead door closer kit

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KNOW THE RULES

Fire doors must self-close and latch reliably. Building Regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 require fire doors to remain effective, so use a fire-rated closer and don't drill extra holes beyond the manufacturer's fixing points.

DC-02Remove the old closer, if you're replacing oneUnscrew the old closer body and arm from the door and frame. If the new closer's screw holes don't line up with the old ones, fill the old holes with wood filler and let it dry fully before marking up.

1 tube · Wood filler

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1 sheet · Fine sandpaper

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DC-03Mark up the fixing positions using the templateAlmost every closer comes with a paper or plastic fixing template - use it rather than guessing positions. Tape the template to the door and frame, lining it up exactly with the hinge edge and the top of the door, then mark each screw point with a pencil or a bradawl.

1 roll · Masking tape

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1 each · Bradawl

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DC-04Check the timber before you drillA door closer fixes into the door leaf and the timber frame, not into a wall - so you don't need a stud detector or a cable and pipe detector for this job. Do tap the frame gently at each marked point to check the timber is solid and thick enough that screws won't poke through the other side. On a fire door, only drill at the fixing points shown on the manufacturer's template; extra holes can invalidate the door's certification.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Fire doors are only certified as installed and fixed. Unauthorised extra holes or the wrong closer can invalidate the certification, which matters for landlord and fire safety compliance.

DC-05Drill pilot holesDrill a pilot hole at each marked point, sized to match the screws supplied with the closer - usually around 2-3mm. Hold the drill square to the surface so the screw goes in straight, and drill to about three-quarters of the screw's length to avoid splitting the timber.

1 set · Pilot drill bit set

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DC-06Fix the closer body to the doorScrew the closer body to the door face using the screws supplied, checking the orientation against the template first - closers are handed, so it must match which way the door opens. Drive the screws snug, not forced; overtightening can strip the pilot hole in timber.

1 each · Screwdriver or driver bit

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DC-07Fix the arm bracket to the frameScrew the bracket to the frame at the marked points, checking it's level with a spirit level as you go. If the frame timber feels soft or starts to split as you drive a screw, stop, fill the hole, let it dry, and redrill slightly offset rather than fixing into a loose hole.

1 each · Small spirit level

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DC-08Connect the arm and check alignmentFit the arm between the closer body and the frame bracket, setting its length as shown in the instructions. Open and close the door by hand a few times to check the arm moves freely and doesn't bind or scrape the frame.

DC-09Adjust the closing speed and latch actionUse a small screwdriver on the adjustment valves on the closer body - usually marked 1 for main closing speed and 2 for latch speed - to set how the door closes. Adjust in small turns and test after each one; too fast risks trapped fingers, too slow means it won't latch. On a fire door, the closer must still shut the door fully and latch every single time.

RULES

1 each · Small flat screwdriver

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KNOW THE RULES

A fire door that doesn't close and latch fully on every use no longer performs its fire-stopping job, so get the closing force and latch action right.

DC-10Test and tidy upOpen the door to a few different angles and let it go each time, checking it closes smoothly and the latch clicks shut every time. Wipe away pencil marks, give all screws a final check for tightness, and clear away packaging and offcuts.

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