How to install a door closer for a sliding wardrobe with your own hands, where to buy

Soft closing systems have become commonplace in modern furniture - regardless of its purpose. Thus, in the market of sliding wardrobes, door closers have already moved from the category of fashionable options for premium products to the category of standard offerings for cabinets of any level. However, unlike drawers and hinges, where the closer is most often pre-installed, soft closing systems for sliding wardrobes are independent devices that require installation and configuration.

At the same time, the sliding door system based on aluminum profiles “Versailles” and its analogues remains the most popular among furniture manufacturers. This means that this is where the highest demands are made on door closers and their properties.

Selecting a soft closing system

First of all, the closer must match the characteristics of the door, but the range of possible options for facades in terms of weight and size in sliding wardrobes is almost limitless. At the same time, choosing a separate closer for each type of facade is extremely inconvenient, since this forces the manufacturer to inflate the range and complicate the work. Therefore, versatility is one of the most important properties of a smooth finishing system.

The closers developed by European engineers, which are presented in the MDM assortment, are divided only into right and left - according to the direction of movement of the facade. All other characteristics are configured at the installation stage. The permissible weight of the facade for using this finishing system is from 10 kg to 80 kg.

Such a wide range of loads is available thanks to an additional spring, which is installed on the closer when using a door over 50 kg.

Important: the closer is suitable for many analogues of the Versailles system presented in Russia.

How to install correctly

It is not enough to choose good fittings; the method and order of installation is no less important. The packaging with the mechanism usually contains instructions. Popular brands also post a brochure for each model on the company website. If you bought a product from a Chinese manufacturer without a name and want to assemble the mechanism yourself, but there is no documentation available, we offer a universal guide to installing a gas lift.

To attach the door closer, follow these simple rules:

A detailed explanation of the process is presented in the video. After installation, check the operation of the mechanism. If the door does not close completely, adjust the tightness of the closer fastening with the screw.

For installation of other types, read the relevant instructions.

Facade size

When calculating the height of the facade (the length of the handle profile), you should use the standard formula h = H – 40 mm , where H is the height of the opening. The presence of a soft closing system does not affect the size of the facade, which eliminates the possibility of errors at the furniture design stages. The recommended width of the facade is from 450 mm, which is due to the overall dimensions of the device (the length of the closer is 382 mm). This size is necessary to ensure a working stroke of 120 mm, which, in fact, guarantees the high-quality functioning of the system. Like the braking distance of a car, the working stroke of the closer directly affects the smoothness of the façade stopping.

Why is “silent” furniture so valued?

Constant background noise has a negative impact on the psyche. We may not notice it and not pay attention, getting carried away by some activity or simply “switching off” when resting after a hard day at work. However, the body cannot be deceived: noise contributes to depression of the nervous system and the emergence of a constant state of stress. And this leads to exacerbation of chronic diseases and the emergence of new ones.

Thanks to modern technologies of soundproofing systems, the entry of noise from outside into the house can be reduced to a minimum. The main task remains to maintain healing silence in the room. But how?

Installation of closer

The closers are installed on the top bar of the door and fixed with self-tapping screws. Depending on the choice of handle profile type (symmetrical/asymmetrical), it is necessary to correctly determine the position of the closer on the top door strip. For this purpose, mounting platforms are used, which are included with the closers and ideally position the device (Fig. 1-2).

Rice. 1 Installing a door closer on a door with an asymmetrical handle.

Rice. 2 Installing a closer on a door with a symmetrical handle.

Self-tapping screws for fixing the closer, also supplied in the kit, are selected for the facade filling material - for glass or slab material (Fig. 3)

Rice. 3 Self-tapping screws for fixing the closer

Key Benefits

When a compartment door begins to make a lot of noise and slam loudly, many rightly think about how to repair and correct this situation.

An excellent solution would be to install a door closer.

It provides a number of objective advantages:

• the doors close smoothly and neatly;
• extraneous noise goes away;
• facades are protected;
• damage to the cabinet body is prevented;
• safety increases;
• additional protection measure for children;
• animals will not be able to open the compartment themselves and get inside;
• dust and dirt will not get inside the cabinet.

Strong arguments, in my opinion.

If you know how to assemble the coupe itself, then installing the door closer should not be a problem. But if in doubt, it is better to turn to specialists.

Installation of the activator

The soft closing system activator is installed in the top guide. To correctly position the activator, it is necessary to move the door to the closed position and mark the position of the closer slider on the guide. Then you need to install the activator in accordance with the mark (Fig. 4). To adjust the soft closing system, the longitudinal adjustment of the stopper position provided by the oval hole is used.

Rice. 4 Installation and fixation of the activator in the upper guide

Each door closer includes:

• 2 springs for facades weighing from 10 to 50 kg and from 50 to 80 kg
• 6 self-tapping screws for fixing the door closer to the top strip of the facade
• 3 mounting platforms for doors with asymmetric profile
• 3 mounting platforms for doors with symmetrical profile
• activator with 3 screws.

Operating principle

The operation of closers is constructed as follows: a metal spring is attached to an iron mold filled with oil. When the door closes, it presses against the structure stop. The liquid inside moves to the back of the mold, which is held in place by seals.

It is possible to change the piston speed using a control unit, the task of which is to narrow or widen the outflow path. The higher the frequency of movement of the piston, the faster the door will close.

Even if the part is seriously damaged, the mechanism does not allow oil to leak out of the closers.

Most models help close the doors. But they produce devices that ensure smooth movement of doors in both directions.

Manufacturers of fittings for kitchen cabinets and bedroom furniture

Expensive oil closers use higher quality and more expensive oil. Let's look at the most popular manufacturers of kitchen furniture fittings:

1. BLUM fittings . Austrian company producing various kitchen accessories. The most popular manufacturer of lifting mechanisms in Russia is bloom. The price of products is very varied (from 140 rubles to 800 rubles).
2. Vauth Sagel . The second most popular manufacturer, popular in Russia. The German company is recognized as the best in the world. The price for closers is from 300 rubles to 1000 rubles.
3. Hettih . German company - manufacturer. The cost of mechanisms and handles for furniture ranges from 150 to 400 rubles.
4. Siro . Austrian company. The price of door closers ranges from 130 rubles to 500 rubles.
5. agoform. The German company is a manufacturer of fittings for kitchen furniture. The cost of the company's products varies from 200 rubles to 900 rubles.

Video presentation of Bloom fittings:

Kitchen cabinets are used daily, which wears out the fittings. It is necessary to timely care for and clean the door closers from dirt.

• When a squeak appears, you need to tighten all the screws on the hinges.
• All fittings and roof rails in the interior are cleaned with a soapy solution and clean napkins.
• The hinges must be lubricated periodically.
• Do not clean the door closer mechanism with soda or other granular cleaning agents.
• You cannot “help” door closers close the doors all the way.

The mechanism of the closers is very simple, so breakdowns with proper operation are practically excluded. If a breakdown does occur, it is better to call a specialist or replace the broken door closer with a new one.

There are many manufacturing companies with different prices for accessories, so it is quite easy to select and install door closers according to your capabilities and needs. Installing the mechanism is also not difficult. The main thing is to follow the instructions exactly. You need to take care of kitchen fittings in the same way as all other household items. Proper installation and maintenance will allow you to enjoy silent closing of kitchen cabinet doors for a long time.

Adjustment

Closers for kitchen cabinets, the price of which is much higher than average, are often self-adjustable. This is not a very necessary function, because you can make the adjustment yourself.

First of all, pay attention to the sliding speed. It should be convenient enough for you personally, but not too fast.

A door that closes too quickly can hit the body hard, which makes using a closer pointless.

Next, pay attention to the tightness with which the closed door adheres to the furniture body. The mechanism can be adjusted using a screw installed on it. If you tighten the screw, the speed gradually increases. If you spin it up, the speed correspondingly drops.

Adjusting hinges with a closer

Scheme for adjusting hinges with a closer

Advice! The adjustment screws cannot be completely unscrewed. This can lead to the fact that the oil inside simply leaks out, the furniture gets damaged, and the mechanism does not work.

In order to adjust the speed, the screw must be turned clockwise one turn. Never turn the screw 1.5 or 2 turns, this can damage the mechanism. Always make adjustments carefully and without applying too much force. Despite the high strength and reliability of door closers, they can break under high pressure.

Even after installing hinges with a closer, you can adjust them in height and depth

Miniature door closer on a kitchen cabinet

Closers for kitchen cabinets: conclusions

For modern furniture, the mechanism of its action is very important. No matter how attractive the appearance of the cabinet, no one will enjoy using it if it opens poorly, knocks and constantly breaks.

Closers perform an extremely important function for the mechanism of furniture doors: they facilitate smooth closing and prevent impact. Thus, the furniture will not wear out for a long time.

The variety of door closers allows each buyer to choose the most suitable mechanism for themselves. There are systems that are self-regulated. But even if your mechanism is not of this type, adjusting the kitchen cabinet closer manually is very easy.

It is important to pay special attention to the installation of such a mechanism. After all, despite all its advantages, it will not work well if you place the system incorrectly.

In the same way, you should take a responsible approach to purchasing a door closer. Many people say that Chinese mechanisms are no worse than European ones.

But the experience of many specialists tells a different story. Only high-quality door closers from well-known manufacturers will serve you for many years.

Closers for kitchen cabinets are a whole family of modern furniture fittings. Such mechanisms ensure smooth closing of facades without noise or unnecessary effort on the part of humans.

Naturally, their use makes the use of kitchen furniture more comfortable and increases its service life. This is especially true for doors with glazing, for which sharp impacts are strictly contraindicated.

1. Kinds
2. Oil closers with spring mechanism
3. Gas closers for the kitchen
4. Manufacturers and prices
5. Installation

The classification of closers distinguishes them by the type of working fluid (oil or compressed gas), as well as the scope of application. Naturally, different mechanisms are needed for hinged, folding facades and drawers.

Oil closers with spring mechanism

No, we are not talking about Soviet tight springs that slammed the doors shut with all their might. Modern kitchen closers are a spiral in a sealed sleeve filled with viscous oil or liquid silicone.

Special valves on the mechanism body allow you to adjust the resistance of the medium to the movement of the spring, which in turn affects the speed and force of closing the door. These models are quite reliable, but they are not cheap.

Oil closers are designed in such a way that even if they fail, the working medium cannot leak out of them. This type of mechanism is used for both kitchen fronts and drawers. The latter usually come already built into the system of guides along which the box slides, and are completed with a supporting bar - a trigger.

Gas closers for the kitchen

Expert opinion

Zakharov Igor Vyacheslavovich

Consultant at a furniture store. 5 years of experience.

These are inexpensive mechanisms that only operate at the end of the door closing cycle. They are installed directly into a loop of a special design, where they are simply fixed in a separate groove.

For flaps, gas lifts are used - rather primitive hydraulic systems, where the immersion of the rod slows down the resistance of the internal environment in the sleeve. The deeper it sinks when closing, the higher the resistance to its movement, which prevents the door from slamming sharply.

The disadvantage of gas mechanisms is that the pressure inside remains maximum the entire time the cabinet is closed. Because of this, the service life of such fittings is usually short.

Also for kitchens, various electric drives are produced that open/close the doors themselves, responding only to pressure. But it’s no longer possible to call them simply closers.

Methods for attaching door closers to furniture

The procedure is performed in the following ways:

1. On the body. Such products are mounted on drawers, sliding and folding doors.
2. On hinges. Furniture hinges with a closer are considered a reliable and modern solution, which is distinguished by its low cost and long service life. The disadvantage is that it cannot be installed on drawers or doors that do not have hinges.

Operating principle of a sliding door closer

Closers for compartment doors are mechanical devices that prevent sudden collisions of door leaves. Structurally, the product is a metal body that houses a damper, a lever and a piston system. On its outer surface there is a special adapter that has an auxiliary effect on the operation of the closer.

When the sash is closed, the adapter presses on the lever, which causes the damper to operate. As a result, the door slows down, and when the damper reaches its final position, the leaf stops completely. Damping the sliding door closer helps to absorb the applied force, so the door closes without a characteristic knock or force blow.

Installation of a sliding door closer can be carried out with a closer in one direction or in both directions. As a rule, the devices are designed for door structures weighing 60–100 kg, made of laminated panels, PVC, veneer, glass, aluminum profiles, solid wood. Most often, they are installed in high-traffic areas, where constant opening and closing of the door leaf leads to a rapid loss of functionality of the entire door system.

Important points when buying a door closer

When faced with choosing a closer, it is important to know what parameters will affect its performance and durability.

How to choose a door closer

When choosing a closer for a kitchen cabinet, pay attention to the following :

1. Weight of the part that will act on the closer. A weak mechanism will not withstand the pressure of a massive door and will quickly fail. The weight of a light facade will not be enough when using a device with high resistance; the sash will not close.
2. Method of fastening and location of the mechanism. To install loop closers, there must be special sockets on the hinges of the headset. If there are none, stop at cabinet or mortise ones. If you want to install closers yourself, choose those that will be easier for you to secure.
3. If you don’t have time to regulate and configure the closer, pay attention to models that are self-adjustable .

The popularity of the brand and the presence of positive reviews play an important role when choosing furniture fittings. If you want to purchase a high-quality product that will last a long time, it is better to avoid buying door closers from little-known or dubious manufacturers.

The best furniture fittings manufacturers

Among the manufacturers most in demand on the furniture fittings market, the top lines of the ranking belong to foreign companies. Russian importers of Chinese products have also proven themselves well :

1. The world-famous Austrian brand Blum (pictured) has conquered markets in more than 20 countries over almost 70 years of existence. The company began its journey from a blacksmith shop that produced horseshoes. In 1958, the first furniture fittings were released. Blum offers high-quality door closers of various types and price categories. It is worth paying attention to the lifting mechanisms and devices for retractable systems offered by the manufacturer.
2. German fittings Hafele also occupy a leading position in the world market. The company has been operating since 1923. Eco-friendly, energy-saving production allows us to set reasonable prices for products. Of interest is the line of mortise shock absorbers, spring and gas lifts for facades.
3. Hettich fittings are produced in Germany and are deservedly popular among consumers. The assortment includes products from economy to luxury class, a wide selection of furniture hinges with built-in closers. The site has the option of designing a furniture set layout with the selection of the most suitable fittings.
4. The Siro brand in Russia sells accessories produced at a factory in Italy. Among the products, numerous groups of mortise closers and compact lifting mechanisms stand out. All products undergo testing and quality control in an international certification concern.
5. The manufacturer Vauth-Sagel specializes not only in the manufacture of fittings. At plants in Germany, wire and sheet metal are processed. This ensures high quality material for the production of furniture components.
6. The domestic company Boyard (photo on the right) sells products made in China. The assortment includes budget-friendly, high-quality fittings. It is worth studying the representative's proposals if you need hinges with a built-in closer or closers for drawers.
7. The TBM company represents Chinese products under the Firmax brand. All products are tested in our own product testing center. In the company's retail outlets and online store, you can safely purchase hinge closers and components for retractable systems at affordable prices.

How to remove and repair a door closer

If the mechanism does not work, it can be dismantled and repaired. To do this, unscrew the screws from the housing, then from the connection point of the lever. Often the problem occurs due to the following factors:

If the rod is deformed, proceed as follows:

The damaged part must be repaired immediately, otherwise the structure will break completely. The condition of the fittings must be carefully monitored, as they require more careful care. Periodically wipe the mechanisms from dust and lubricate with oil.