Replies

1. 
   calvin | Nov 23, 2011 06:44am | #1

   Todd

   I don't think a longer closer will solve your problem. 

   Perhaps Larson has a suggestion.

   or

   Look for a residential door closer (similar idea to a commercial closer, but much smaller).  Retro it to work with the storm door - perhaps using sex bolts  to through bolt it to the door.

   some of what I'm talking about-

   http://www.doorware.com/site/product.cfm?id=15335

   http://www.amazon.com/Tell-Mfg-11184-Residential-Closers/dp/B000BD6AN2

   http://www.globaldoor.com/category/Residential%252BClo

   Make sure of degree of opening and whether a hold open feature is offered.

1. 
   Scott | Nov 24, 2011 12:27pm | #7

   I've used the aftermarket closers like what Cal pointed out. They cost a bit, but work way better than the nasty, cheap spring-loaded ones that come with most doors. Most have adjustable tension, which is important for a somewhat flimsy storm door.

   If you were closer to here I would give you one that I'm no longer using.

2. 
   DanH | Nov 23, 2011 07:42am | #2

   You might be able to get a few more degrees of motion by improvising a slightly shorter stand-off on the jamb bracket.  Of course, this limits how far the door can open before the closer hits the jamb, and it also weakens the closer's effectiveness, so it's a trade-off.

   (It might be a good idea to "dummy up" a door with a plank, hinge, and a chunk of 2x.  This way you can experiment without peppering the door and jamb with holes.)

1. 
   calvin | Nov 23, 2011 08:50pm | #3

   A shorter standoff will hinder the operation.........

   no?

   The pivot point is closer to the jamb, thus it runs into the storm earlier and stops opening.

   The same way with a longer closer, the pivot point is the same, the bracket on the door is all that moves.

1. 
   DanH | Nov 23, 2011 10:46pm | #4

   But moving the pivot point slightly closer to the jamb would give you the effect of a longer closer -- ignoring the interference problem, the door would be able to open wider.

1. 
   calvin | Nov 23, 2011 10:57pm | #5

   I don't think so

   Moving the pivot towards the jamb, makes the closer get.....................

   closer to the door when open.  If it opens 90 deg's I'd be surprised

   The bracket is usually set on the jamb, a 1/4" from the inside of the storm door.  Moving that out toward the exterior that qtr inch would in effect make the closer a bit longer.

1. 
   DanH | Nov 24, 2011 08:06am | #6

   Like I said, it's a trade-off.  The bracket is often longer than would be needed to simply provide clearance, the additional length providing "leverage".  Shortening it SLIGHTLY would give some additional effective length (because the mount point on the door could then be moved closer to the hinge).  Perhaps  COMBINED with your idea of moving the bracket all the way to the outside (as much as possible without causing interference when the door is closed) would provide the additional effective length needed.

3. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Nov 30, 2011 01:47pm | #8

   Being on crutches myself at the moment, I appreciate your customers request.

   One thing to look for also - slow closing.  Most of us handicapped don't actually have a free hand to hold a door open that wants to slam into our faces

1. 
   calvin | Nov 30, 2011 06:39pm | #9

   Paul

   Sorry to hear of your condition, hope it improves quickly.

   And the poster hasn't been back in over a week, maybe the turkey ate him.