FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Heavy-duty closers for storm doors

AitchKay | Posted in General Discussion on March 28, 2007 06:23am

I just weatherstripped some wood storm doors for a client using RCT’s weatherstrippng router system. I’d never used this system before, but it’s very user-friendly for retrofits. I highly recommend it.

The weatherstripping adds a bit of resistance to closing and latching, of course, so we decided to upgrade both the latches and the closers. A Merit mortise lock (expensive, but good) solved one of those problems.

But the old Dexter Dialmatic closer that I used to use no longer exists. It used a torsion spring mounted to the jamb, with an air-resistance tube to adjust closing speed. Stanley and Wright Products both make similar closers, so I special-ordered the sleeker-looking Stanley CD1768.

The spring hub on the Stanley needs more room between the entry and storm doors than standard house wall thickness provides, so among other things, its hold-open feature doesn’t work. It’s also just plain too wimpy to completely close the door. And although it was clearly labeled and marketed as a screen and storm door closer, the instructions say it should ONLY (their caps) be used on entry doors, never on screen or storm doors. Thanks a lot, Stanley!

Now I’m taking heat from my customers because their doors don’t work. I’m considering ordering the Wright Products closer, which is pretty ugly, but might work better.

I should mention that because of the flex of the thin doors, I’ll need two closers per door, which rules out top-jamb-mount, articulated arm types. Any other closers I should try? Help!

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. rez | Mar 31, 2007 04:15pm | #1

    Greetings A,

    This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.

    Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.

    Cheers

    yer gonna have to type slow for me and maybe switch to a crayon.-buck '07

    I never had a problem with character,
    people've been telling me I was one ever since I was a kid.

     

  2. User avater
    BossHog | Mar 31, 2007 04:23pm | #2

    I've seen people install 2 closers on storm doors - One up high and one down low.

    The downside is that it puts a lot of force on the door hinge. Last weekend I helped a neighbor re-attach the brick mold on his front door, as the double closers had pushed it out 1/2" or so.

    I'm sick of being my wife's arm candy
    1. AitchKay | Mar 31, 2007 05:06pm | #3

      Thanks, BossHog,Yeah, two closers will definitely be necessary. It's already got two hardware-store variety closers on it now. I'm hoping someone out there knows of a good heavy-duty closer. I miss that old Dexter Dialmatic! AitchKay

    2. User avater
      BillHartmann | Mar 31, 2007 06:00pm | #4

      Most of the new "high end" storm doors come with two of closers.And properly sized 2 would give less force on the connections than one big one..
      .
      A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

  3. AitchKay | Apr 01, 2007 10:00pm | #5

    OK, Guys,

    Let me reframe the question. As I said in my original post, I'm going to use two closers. That's not the issue.

    Because of the weatherstripping, I need HEAVY-DUTY closers that are designed to mount top and bottom. What brands have you used? If you're old enough to remember the Dexter Dialmatic, that's the kind I'm talking about, with a torsion spring hub mounted to the jamb. I've installed dozens of these, starting back in the 70s.

    But as I said, Dexter is history and that closer is no longer made. The Stanley doesn't work. The Wright is ugly, but I guess I'll give it a try. I'll post again if I do.

    AitchKay

    1. BMan | Apr 02, 2007 12:10am | #7

      Commercial door hardware would use parallel arm closers. They are not as compact as the typical storm door version, but would certainly pull better and offer more opportunity for adjustment.

      Manufacturers include Sargent,  LCN and Dor-O-Matic. Try http://www.lcnclosers.com You might want to look there to find something applicable to storm doors. "Good design is good business"<!----><!----><!---->

                                <!----><!----><!---->Florence<!----><!----> Schust Knoll (1917-)<!----><!---->

    2. Howard_Burt | Apr 02, 2007 01:04am | #8

      I think I remember reading somewhere that Ryobi took over the Dexter line of closers. Norton and Dorma both used to make a number 1 size screen door closer.

      Check out some contract hardware suppliers in your area  and see if they have any old stock laying around gathering dust.

  4. jrnbj | Apr 01, 2007 11:28pm | #6

    I'm thinking either the door is warped in the jamb, or the strike plate needs to be adjusted....Two standard closers should pull & latch a true door with a little "slop" in the strike, IMHO. I feel your pain for not being able to find a product that used to work for you...there's great new stuff out there, but the price seems to be that we've lost some quality products along the way...too expensive for the harry homeowner profit margin....
    Nice to hear a user report on the RTC system.....router seems pricey to me, and it seems like you would need several different sizes of the silicone bulbs handy.

    1. AitchKay | Apr 02, 2007 04:17pm | #9

      Hey, jrnbj,You got that right about the warp! One of the doors is 1/2" open at the bottom, but even with one closer only, mounted at the bottom, it closes tight at the top. As for that RCT system, yeah, it's great. I told the customers that all the off-the-shelf weatherstripping was junk (which they could see just by looking at their front door). I had gotten some RCT samples a few years ago, so I knew their silicone tubes were super thin-walled, super compressible, etc. I proposed that the customer pay for half the tool, about $150, and I'd cover the rest. Since they were spreading the cost over 4 doors, I was able to talk them into it, and now that it's done they have no regrets.The tool looks sort of like a angle-head finish nailer. A router motor sits where the piston head would be, and you rest the base, which looks like a nail magazine, in the corner of the jamb (where the Q-lon seal would be if it was a modern door). You depress a spring-loaded button which pushes a locating pin out of the base up by the router bit. This lets you center the bit right in the corner of the jamb angle. Let up on the button, and the bit plunges in to cut a 1/8" by 1/4" groove. Unlike factory weatherstrip grooves, this groove angles in at 45 degrees to both the stop and the jamb. Start in the middle, run it up to the top, and the bit angles right up into the corner. Flip the tool around, and finish the cut from the middle down to the threshold. Overlap the cuts as little as possible to avoid widening the cut. With that narrow base, it's hard not to wobble. You end up with a wavy groove, but don't worry. Once you roll the weatherstrip tube in, it rests against the jamb and stop and lies straight. The cross section of the tube looks like the symbol for male: a circle with a little arrow sticking out. You can snip off an inch of that arrow and slip the end of the tube into the next larger size tube, so uneven gaps are no problem. Way cool!The base of the tool is hollow, and has a 1" vacuum hose coming out of it that picks up most of the dust. 1/8" X 1/4" isn't that much dust, but use a vacuum anyway, or you'l spend a lot of time cleaning out the groove with the tip of a nail or something.They also make a slick automatic door bottom which drops down when the door is closed. You rout a slot in the bottom of the door, 5/8" X 1 1/8" I think it was. A button sticking out of the hinge edge against the jamb activates it. Great for this job, where they had added hardwood flooring as a remodel, and didn't have enough clearance for a doormat before. The sweeps are RCT's silicone. Everything else out there is vinyl junk, no comparison. For a screw-on, wood strip type sweep, kerf a 1/2" X 2". A little more hassle, but you get the silicone, so it's worth it.AitchKay

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Tools and Gear for the Moms Who Get it Done

From work boots to power tools, these favorite picks make perfect gifts for moms and women who build.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Tools and Gear for the Moms Who Get it Done
  • Beat the Heat: Cool Innovations
  • A Practical Approach to Exterior Insulation
  • Making and Installing Wood Wall Paneling

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data