Door Closers in Savannah

What a door closer is supposed to do

A door closer has three jobs: bring the door closed reliably, control the speed so it does not slam or pinch fingers, and hold the door against the latch firmly enough that the lock or panic bar can engage. When any of those jobs fails, the closer needs adjustment or replacement.

Most commercial closers have at least two adjustment screws — sweep speed (the main close) and latch speed (the last few inches). Some have backcheck (resistance to slamming open) and delayed action (a pause near 90 degrees). We tune all of these on site instead of guessing.

Closer types we install

Surface-mount closers are the most common — visible on the inside top of the door. Parallel-arm mounts give a cleaner look and are common on restaurant and retail back-of-house doors. Concealed overhead closers hide inside the door or frame on higher-end installs. Floor closers live under the threshold on heavy aluminum storefront doors and are common downtown.

When to repair vs. replace

If the closer is leaking hydraulic fluid, the body is cracked, or the arm has been bent, replacement is usually the right call. If the closer holds pressure but the speeds are off, adjustment fixes it. We diagnose at the door and recommend the cheapest answer that solves the actual problem.

Common situations we see in Savannah

• Front door slams shut on customersSweep speed is too fast. Often a quick adjustment.
• Door does not close fullyLatch speed is too slow, the closer is undersized, or the door is dragging on the threshold.
• Heavy storefront door with leaking floor closerReplace the floor closer — common job downtown on older aluminum storefronts.
• Wind blows the door open and the arm bendsAdd a backcheck-equipped closer or an overhead stop.
• After a break-in attempt the door no longer closes correctlyInspect frame, hinges, and closer. Often more than one component needs work.
• New tenant install in Pooler retailSpec the right size closer for the door weight and width before opening.

What affects the price

Locksmith pricing is rarely a flat fee because no two jobs are the same. A house lockout on Tybee Road at noon is a different job than a high-security rekey for a downtown short-term rental. We'll always quote a price range over the phone before we drive out, and confirm the final price before any work starts.

• Closer typeSurface-mount, concealed, and floor closers are different price points.
• Door size and weightLarger and heavier doors require larger-spring closers.
• BrandLCN, Norton, Sargent, and similar grade-1 closers cost more than mid-market hardware.
• Mounting conditionOld screw holes that no longer hold may require frame repair before mounting a new closer.

What to have ready before you call

A short call goes faster when you have a few details handy. None of this is required — we'll work with whatever you have — but it helps us send the right tools and the right tech.

• Door dimensionsWidth, height, and approximate weight.
• Existing closer brand and modelRead the body of the existing closer.
• What the door is doing wrongSlamming, sticking open, half-closing — different symptoms point to different fixes.
• Inside or outside installMost closers are inside-mounted, but parallel-arm and other styles affect mounting.

Local service area

Door closer service across Savannah commercial properties, including downtown historic storefronts, Broughton Street retail, Southside offices, and Pooler shopping centers.

Frequently asked questions