Self-Management: Auto-closing Exterior Door Hardware?

Question

I am looking to add several smart home features to my properties to allow me to more effortless manage my small multi-families from afar. One of those features is programmable door locks. While I already use these and they are super successful for me, I need to add an auto-close feature to the doors to ensure they actually get locked. This isn't a My doors are typical fire-rated exterior doors. Smart locks only work when the door has been fully closed. This would help the occasional bad behavior (it happens on accident, despite all efforts) to ensure a smart lock engages.

What automatic door closers have you used and loved? Which ones didn't work and you didn't like? Have hinges been okay for you or have you gone to the full on industrial-type mounting system?

What automatic door closers have you used and loved? Which ones didn't work and you didn't like? Have hinges been okay for you or have you gone to the full on industrial-type mounting system?

Eric L. · Answer

Thanks! Appreciate this, so very much. I have a hodgepodge of doors that will need some finessing. As such, I'm going to try some Waterson hinges and see how they work!

Colleen F. · Answer

@Eric La Pratt   When I go over I will try to remember to find the brand.  Yes, the fire department required self closing hinges on the apartment doors but they are older wood doors so I noticed that now some don't always self close. Most of the tenants make sure they are closed.  You may not run into the same issue if your doors aren't from the 1800s.

The main door the closer always closes but it is the fit of the door that really matters for that last 1/4 inch. I noticed my sons condo has an industrial closer and it is a little tighter fit, if you close it slow it will not completely latch right away.

Eric L. · Answer

Thanks @Colleen F. If I'm reading this right, you're using the hinge version on unit doors and an industrial one on the main door. Would love to know if you find both are effective or if one is more effective than the other. Any chance you'll be by the property in the next week or so to see what the industrial opener is?

Colleen F. · Answer

@Eric La Pratt Apartment doors have self closing  hinges per fire deparment but we got an industrial style closer for the main door. You can adjust the heaviness of the closing so it closes slower or faster but I have no idea the brand.