Closers for kitchen cabinets are a specific mechanism that is placed on cabinet doors for the purpose of their smooth, silent closing. Thanks to this, it is possible to avoid chips on the body, cracks on the glass and other defects of kitchen utensils. They help to extend the service life of furniture, contribute to its comfortable use.
Most kitchen cabinets come with an automatic closer system, but if they don't, it's easy to fix by installing one yourself.
The mechanism works as follows: a spring is firmly fixed inside a metal capsule filled with oil or silicone filler. When the door closes under its own weight, pressure is exerted on the door closer stop. Its internal fluid passes into the rear part of the capsule, which is held by a system of seals. It is possible to adjust the stroke of the piston of the door closer thanks to a special adjustment link, the property of which is to reduce and expand the outflow channel. The slower the piston speed, the slower the door closes.
There is no need to worry that if the mechanism malfunctions, the oil will leak out and damage the furniture. The system is designed so that even in the event of a major breakdown, it will remain in place.
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Types of door closers
- Cabinet - fixed to the furniture frame. One of the most budget-friendly options.
- Self-tapping – screwed on with self-tapping screws.
- Loop - are attached to special loops or Euro screws. This type of installation is considered the most reliable, but it does not work in sliding structures.
According to the operating principles, there are:
- Oil-filled – guarantee smooth, complete closing, often used in modern kitchen units.
- Gas – finish sliding in the middle of closing. Are distinguished by their low price.
The above-mentioned designs are suitable for swing kitchen cabinets; for roll-out cabinets, a system of guides with a special spring is installed. Such closers are also divided into oil and gas.
Closers for kitchen cabinets for the kitchen must be selected based on where they will be mounted and what load they will be subjected to.
Main types of fittings
- Oil closers - are produced in a set with hinges for swing doors, or only with a key - it is possible to fix it in any part of the body. The closers are made with a bend, with a straight arm or for corner and inclined hinges.
- Standard four-hinged with built-in closer. Used for doors with an opening angle of ninety-five to one hundred and seventy degrees.
- Mechanisms for drawers with a load of up to 25 kilograms without height restrictions. Full-fledged fittings that create full or partial extension of drawers, their soft closing. Withstands a load of up to thirty kilograms.
- German closers for swing doors with overlay, semi-overlay, inset hinges. The opening angle is about two hundred and seventy degrees.
Advantages of the mechanism
- Smooth closing of doors prevents breakages.
- The door will not open on its own, it fits tightly against the cabinet.
- In case of malfunction, the oil or liquid is retained in the capsule without causing damage to the furniture.
- Capable of withstanding fairly heavy loads.
- A wide range of mechanism choices and a price to suit any budget.
- Long service life.
- Easy to install.
Flaws
- Installation must be carried out strictly according to the instructions.
- Not aesthetically pleasing enough.
- Oil-filled closers have a harder time functioning at low temperatures due to the viscosity of the oil.
Installation of door closers at home
The installation of closers for kitchen cabinets depends on the design of the fittings. The mortise type requires drilling a hole corresponding to the sleeve in the cabinet body. Then the capsule is inserted into the socket. It is much easier to install a mechanism that is attached with screws to the inner wall of the cabinet or one of the shelves.
Mounting fittings on pull-out kitchen drawers is more difficult, as they have a different design. Such systems are larger than usual. Before installation, it is worth checking that there is a free space of two millimeters under the slats.
The sequence of work is as follows:
- remove the drawer from the cabinet; if the cabinet itself is being restored, it is better to remove it;
- dismantle old elements;
- attach fittings with a closer in their place;
- check that the planks on each side are positioned symmetrically;
- Attach the tigger to the bottom of the box.
If the box is narrow (up to ninety centimeters wide), one-sided installation is possible. Large boxes must be mounted on wide paired guides.
After installation, the closer needs to be adjusted. Pay attention to the sliding speed, closing speed, and the tightness of the door or drawer.
Take a screwdriver, carefully tighten the screws of the spring closer and the screws of the hinges or door. Due to the tightening force of the screw on the spring, the mechanism's operation changes. The bolts on the body can be used to adjust the density of the cabinet door closing.
One of the easiest to install are gas closers, they are simply inserted into the loop. After completing the fastening of the loops, the closer is installed in a special hole until it clicks and the mechanism is ready for use.
Do not loosen the adjusting screws completely. This may cause the oil to leak out, damaging the furniture and the operation of the closer.
Although the door closer mechanism is designed without any particular complications, in case of malfunction it is easier to replace it with a new one, or call a technician.
If the fittings start to creak, you need to tighten all the screws on the hinges. Lubricate the hinges periodically, clean all the mechanisms from dirt with soft napkins and water with soap. It is forbidden to clean the closer mechanisms with soda or any other rough cleaning agents.
Pay special attention to the assembly and maintenance of kitchen cabinet closers. Regardless of all its advantages, the work will be of poor quality if the mechanism is not installed correctly.
The mechanism will faithfully and long bring you comfort if it is made of high-quality material and receives proper care.
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