Why Overhead Door Closers Are the Right Choice for Restaurants
Durability and functionality are crucial for every restaurant owner. . Every single detail, right down to your door hardware contributes to the smooth operation and longevity of your establishment. Today, let’s talk about something often overlooked but critically important: door closers.
We’ve all seen them – these devices that gently (or sometimes not so gently!) swing a door shut. In many commercial settings, particularly where aesthetics are a priority, you might find a “floor spring” – a hidden door closer embedded in the floor.Despite their sleek appearance, floor springs pose a significant problem for restaurants, especially in places like Kerala where daily floor cleaning is a norm.
The Fatal Flaw of Floor Springs in Restaurants
The issue is simple: water. Restaurants clean their floors regularly ,on a daily basis or every other day . This necessary hygiene practice, however, spells disaster for floor springs. Water inevitably seeps into the mechanism, leading to corrosion and damage. We’ve seen it multiple times, again and again: a floor spring that should last for years gives up the ghost in a mere 3 to 4 months, forcing restaurant owners to fork out for replacements every six months to a year. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a significant recurring expense.
The Overhead Solution: Durable & Functional
The most effective and practical solution to this “wet floor woe” is the overhead door closer. Unlike their floor-dwelling counterparts, overhead door closers are mounted on the door frame or door panel, keeping them far away from the daily deluge. This simple shift in placement drastically extends their lifespan, saving you money and hassle in the long run.
Optimizing Entry and Exit with Overhead Closers
But what about the typical restaurant setup, where a clear entry and exit path is crucial for customer flow? The good news is that overhead door closers are incredibly versatile and can be configured to suit your needs perfectly.
Here’s how you can achieve a functional entry and exit system using overhead door closers:
- For Doors Opening Inwards (Entry): To facilitate an outward opening (e.g., exiting from inside), the door closer can be fixed in a “reverse” or “opposite” manner. The door closer itself is fixed to the door frame, and the arm is then fixed to the door panel. This allows the door to swing smoothly outwards.
- For Doors Opening Outwards (Exit):The door closer is fixed to the door panel, and the arm is fixed to the door frame. This is the standard configuration, allowing for a smooth inward swing.
This dual configuration ensures smooth traffic flow for both customers and staff, while still leveraging the durability and reliability of overhead closers.
The Impracticality of Isolating Floor Springs from Water
While one might suggest isolating the floor spring from water as a solution, in reality, this is nearly impossible in a restaurant where spills, mopping, and washing are part of routine operations, and ensuring water never reaches the floor spring is simply not feasible.
Conclusion
To summarize, overhead door closers are the most practical and cost-effective solution for restaurants looking to maintain door functionality without frequent repairs. By implementing a dual-door system with properly installed closers — one in the standard method and one in the reverse — restaurant owners can achieve better durability, ease of use, and hygiene compliance.
We’ve included photographs below to demonstrate the recommended installation methods for both entry and exit doors. This simple shift in hardware choice can make a big difference in operational efficiency and long-term maintenance costs.
