How to fix a door closer on kitchen furniture?

Features of a closer for kitchen cabinets

Time to read:
The mechanism of furniture doors works on hinges and canopies, and shock absorbers are responsible for smoothness. It depends on them whether the lockers will be opened quietly or noisily. Due to frequent use, components become unusable.

It happens that kitchen cabinet fittings break.

To remedy the situation, you can contact a specialist or repair kitchen cabinet closers yourself. We tell you how to do this and what the causes of breakdowns are.

Closers on cabinet doors can be repaired on your own.

What is a kitchen closer
Reasons for its failure
How to properly install a new door closer on a kitchen set
Setting up the closer
Video: how to change door closers on kitchen cabinets

Precautionary measures

Do-it-yourself repairs can be difficult, so you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

Carefully remove the door. It is heavy, so it is better to remove it with two people.
Handle the removed glass carefully as it may slip out of your hands.
Be careful with fasteners and brackets, as they can be damaged if not handled correctly.
Do not use powders or strong chemicals to clean glass.
Wear thick gloves when working with glass, and rubber gloves when cleaning.

Attention

When making repairs, do not touch the gas exhaust pipes, hoses or injectors under any circumstances. All types of work related to gas equipment are carried out only by a gas service employee.

Sometimes induction, cooking and stoves with ceramic and glass-ceramic surfaces require repairs. Read about the causes of breakdowns of such slabs and repairs in our other articles.

What is a kitchen closer

The doors are attached to the body with hinges, which consist of three elements - a cup, a shoulder and a striker.

Door hinges consist of three elements.

A closer is integrated into this mechanism. It can be installed in a bowl, arm or hinge striker. If the soft closing system is working properly, the door will close silently, even if you deliberately slam it. But periodically, the closers fail, causing the cabinet to close with a characteristic bang.

If the cabinet closes noisily, it means the closer has become unusable.

The system consists of a spring, which is located in a metal capsule. It is filled with oil or a liquid silicone mixture that ensures smooth movements. When the door closes, its weight puts pressure on the closer lever. The silicone or oil moves to the back of the capsule and the door does not make noise when closing.

The closer consists of a spring and a metal capsule.

Reasons for its failure

The soft closing system can fail for several reasons. The most common is the human factor. If you regularly apply excessive force when closing doors or open them abruptly, the door closer will not withstand the load.

If you close and open the doors too quickly, the door closer may break.

Other causes of failure:

increased air humidity or dampness in the room;
temperature fluctuations;
oil or gas leak from the capsule;
door movement blocking;
metal corrosion or deformation of the spare part.

Other factors may also affect the condition of the closer.
The method of repair will depend on the cause of the mechanism failure. In most cases, installation of a new door closer is required.

As a rule, the problem is solved by replacing the old door closer with a new one.

How to install

At any furniture or hardware store you can purchase hinges with a special place for closers. This is a very convenient invention - the mechanism is hidden in furniture hinges.

To install the closer on the modules, you will need special self-tapping screws or furniture euroscrews, a screwdriver and instructions for the mechanism. Installing the finishing element is an easy process, even an inexperienced builder can handle it. It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions included with the closers.

When installing large closers for massive doors, the piston always remains on the immovable part of the wooden shelf. The rest of the closer is attached to the cabinet door. Just like large closers, any compact mechanism is installed on a fixed part of the cabinet.

Internal gas closers that are inserted into a hinge are the easiest to install. After fastening the hinges, you need to insert the closer into a special hole in it until it clicks - the mechanism is installed.

The closers are screwed onto the furniture body with euroscrews or self-tapping screws.

How to adjust after installation on the doors

After the mechanism is installed, it must be adjusted. It is worth paying attention to the following factors:

Sliding speed.
Closing speed of the base cabinet door.
Closing tightness (fit).

The mechanism is adjusted using a screw on the body. By tightening the screw, the speed at which the door (or drawer) closes increases.

When weakened, it decreases. This is explained by the capacity of the piston outflow channel. The liquid flows at different speeds through the capsule into the sleeve and back, controlling the movement of the doors.

Correct installation of the closer is a guarantee of its long and trouble-free service.

Review of furniture fittings:

Troubleshooting

Repairing a door closer with your own hands is not difficult.

If rod defects occur, carry out the following actions:

If there is rust, anti-corrosion cleaning is done and treated with a special protective lubricant.
If a small crack or break occurs, the welding method is used, after which the welds are ground to a smooth state without slag inclusions, sagging, or formations.
Distortions or bends are carefully leveled using a hammer so that the lever does not burst under the influence of force.

If the door speed is abnormal, the device is adjusted.

Adjustment

Carrying out adjustments is a mandatory measure not only during operation of the mechanism, but also for prevention. The procedure is performed at least 2 times a year, and with seasonal temperature fluctuations this is done more often.

Adjusting the device consists of adjusting the speed of closing the door block using adjusting screws, pressing it against the frame, and smoothly decelerating when the doors are completely closed.

Repairing door closers is a simple technological process that, most often, even a novice master can do.

Criteria for choosing drawers

Usually, when purchasing a kitchen set, everyone first of all pays attention to its appearance, that is, whether it is beautiful or not, whether it will fit into the interior of the kitchen or not. It is immediately checked whether all the furniture will fit in the planned place. Next, functionality is considered.

But no less important will be the installed fittings, which include door closers. After all, they are the ones who make kitchen furniture easy to use and increase its functionality. It is necessary to indicate that drawers are divided into two types: metaboxes and tandemboxes.

Metaboxes

This type of drawer is a design in which the side walls are made of durable metal (steel), usually painted with white enamel. Their design includes rollers that rest on the guides of the closer. Plus, manufacturers make it possible to properly organize the space due to the metabox function, such as raising it to a certain height. For this purpose, special elements are used in the design of the box.

The metabox system already comes with kitchen closers, so it is a ready-to-use item. It closes silently and very smoothly. You just need to push him a little.

Tandemboxes

This is still the same drawer, only its side walls can be made of either steel or glass. At the same time, it is equipped with a special tubular railing, which ensures extension of the structure. By the way, tandem boxes extend to their maximum length, which is very convenient. By default, they are equipped with automatic closers. It should be noted that there is a variety in the group of tandemboxes, the design of which includes an electric motor. With its help, the opening and closing of drawers occurs. You just need to press the front panel of the drawer or pull the handle lightly, and it will open. Push it lightly and it will begin to close.

Door hinges are distinguished:

A hinge mounted in a corner furniture module can open the door at an angle of 30, 45, 95, 120, 135 and 180 degrees; there is also a special type of hinge - a carousel hinge, which opens the cabinet door leaf at 270 degrees.

Quick installation loops have appeared; they are attached to a special strip and snap onto the inside of the facade in just one movement. A furniture door with such a hinge becomes very mobile - it can be removed and hung if necessary, without requiring the use of construction tools.

An equally valuable and functional element in a modern kitchen is retractable mechanisms; the condition of the furniture in the future and the noise level when moving drawers depend on their quality and durability. The latest generation shock-absorbing mechanisms are created taking into account the latest technologies; they begin their work a few seconds before the drawer is completely closed, making this process as smooth, easy and quiet as possible. High-quality roller fittings are designed for 100 thousand cycles or more, while remaining in perfect order.

Many consumers have appreciated the benefits of furniture closers in the kitchen. They softly and smoothly close cabinet doors, and also protect the furniture body from impacts and premature damage. The closer smoothly slows down the movement of the door, adapting to any hand effort, making the contact of the facade with the body absolutely silent and as soft as possible. It is attached to the hinge cup and regulates the load level during operation of the kitchen furniture.

Dampers also serve to ensure maximum smoothness and noiselessness of opening and closing cabinets. Their modern range is quite wide - from the simplest rubber pads to universal miracle mechanisms.

Another fashionable invention is a silicone edge located around the perimeter of doors and drawers. It protects furniture from dust and dirt getting inside, and also works as a shock absorber - it serves as a shock softener during mechanical impacts and contacts.

Furniture drawers are becoming deeper and wider, and along with them, guide systems are also improving, becoming more powerful and more technologically advanced.

Today, roller mechanisms can withstand weights of up to 70-80 kg, while maintaining easy movement and ease of removal of the structure. Fittings manufacturers do not recommend saving on guides and metaboxes, especially if you want to create maximum comfort in the kitchen and significantly extend its service life.

Another type of component that is installed on upper cabinets is gaining popularity – lifting mechanisms. They allow the cabinet to open upward, similar to luggage compartments on airplanes. These furniture lifting devices are divided into spring ones, in the form of brackets and gas elevators.

Simple mechanical lifts are reliable and durable, but cannot fix the door in a raised state. And gas lifts and brackets are capable of holding the facade in any intermediate position, but are characterized by a higher cost.

Facade fittings for facades - handles, legs, linings, decor and similar elements - must be resistant to moisture, temperature, dirt, mechanical and chemical influences. The strongest and most durable are metal fittings - zinc casting, stainless steel and aluminum.

Today, there are solid and colored pens on sale, with original inserts, cast and hollow, textured, carved, and so on. Modern fittings can be selected to suit any style, interior and design direction.

Workshop services for repairing closers on kitchen drawers

Our company has a separate furniture workshop for repairing drawer closers and cabinets in the kitchen. Each specialist has undergone certified training and carries out repairs of kitchen door closer installations of any complexity. We correct defects in manufacturers' mechanisms:

BLUM (famous Austrian company for the production of kitchen parts)
Vauth Sagel (German company with excellent product quality and competitive prices)
Hettih (Germany)
Siro (Austria)
Agoform (Germany) and others.

Once on site, we will repair kitchen door closers, adjust or replace them and install them with a working analogue. The installed spare part will have a warranty period. If the kitchen door slams loudly or you have to close it all the way with your hand, this means the kitchen cabinet door closer needs repair. Call us and we will fix this problem.

Door closer device: malfunctions

In order to quickly and efficiently repair a door closer, you need to find out how the mechanism is designed and how it works.

Any door closer consists of a lever rod and a slowing mechanism, which is responsible for the smooth closing of the door leaf.

The mechanism consists of a piston that compresses a powerful spring located in a reservoir filled with oil. After compression, through hydraulic channels, it slowly returns to its original position, ensuring smooth closing. The force is adjusted using special screws located on the end of the housing. When they are tightened, the diameter of the hydraulic channels decreases, which helps slow down the flow of oil, and therefore the speed of closing the door.

Unfortunately, not all door closer malfunctions can be repaired with your own hands: in most cases, the most important elements of the mechanism, such as the piston and spring, fail.

Often, the prices for such spare parts are not much different from the cost of the door closer itself. Therefore, purchasing a new device will, in this case, be more expedient and will save time and effort.

In addition to the above breakdowns, the following malfunctions may occur in the door closer:

Leakage of working fluid (oil).
Unbalanced door closer mounts.
Deformation of traction levers.

You can easily fix such defects yourself, without significant financial costs.

Features of mechanisms

Closers for kitchen cabinets today are among the most functional and useful elements. These mechanisms take care of the safety of the furniture. Another advantage of door closers is that they prevent noise when closing the cabinet door.

What is this element? Closers are a kind of springs placed in closed shells. The container inside is filled with a special silicone-based liquid (modern models). Oil is often used for these purposes.

Thanks to the use of such small parts, cabinet doors close slowly and smoothly, without creating additional noise. Basically, modern kitchen sets are equipped with such systems, which are convenient to use. The doors do not lose their functionality, there is no damage to the surface, since the closing occurs smoothly.

Electric ovens

Modern ovens are available in two versions - independent and dependent. The former are equipped with a separate control system that is not connected to other household appliances. Dependent ovens are designed together with a hob and are equipped with common controls. In electric ovens, heat is generated using heating elements.

As a rule, this is top, bottom heating or a combination mode. The presence of a grill function significantly expands the possibilities for preparing dishes. Equipping with a convection mode ensures uniform heating of products. The heating temperature of the working chamber of electric ovens is adjusted on the control panel. In this case, the temperature and cooking time are set by electronic or electromechanical control. Modern models are equipped with additional functions of microwave and steaming.

Types of Interaction

Furniture almost always has moving elements - doors and drawers. The mechanisms due to which their movement occurs can be either simple or with gadgets in the form of closers, pushers and even electrical systems.

Simple mechanisms

In the case of simple mechanisms, without any bells and whistles, we need to grab the handle of the door or drawer and pull it to open it. They also need to be closed manually and completely. And you also need to hold the doors so that there is no slamming, because... the hinges have a spring that slightly presses the door against the cabinet body.

This type of fittings is the most budget-friendly. But it doesn’t provide much comfort either. Cheap and cheerful, as they say.

mechanisms with closer

Here everything immediately becomes more pleasant. You still need to open the doors manually by pulling the furniture handle. But when closing it, you don’t need to hold it with your hand. Just push the door or drawer and it will slow down towards the end of its trajectory, closing smoothly and silently.

Kitchen doors: which ones to choose?

The appearance of kitchen furniture is determined by its façade. This allows manufacturers to use tricks and reduce the cost of kitchen units by combining different materials. As a result, kitchens made of chipboard are classified depending on the material used to make the façade doors.

Chipboard, but laminated, otherwise the set will not tolerate contact with water. The melamine film is glued under pressure. As a rule, it imitates a wood pattern. This is the cheapest option and the most short-lived: the film peels off over time, especially near the stove and oven; the material is deformed under the influence of steam and water, and the set needs to be updated with your own hands or replaced after 5–6 years.
Veneered chipboard - chipboard panels are covered with veneer, that is, a cut of natural wood. At first glance, such doors do not differ from wooden ones and are more resistant to water and steam, according to reviews. Repairing veneered hinged doors is no more difficult than laminated ones. It is not easy to clean facades: veneer does not tolerate contact with water, just like wood.
PVC-coated chipboard – PVC film is fixed in the same way as melamine. It lasts about the same, but is a little more resistant to ultraviolet radiation and looks more like wood. It’s easy to clean furniture, but you shouldn’t use abrasive products.
Chipboard with acrylic film. For kitchen furniture, the most important thing is resistance to moisture and temperature changes, and acrylic film provides precisely these properties. Repairing such a facade with your own hands is much more difficult, but cleaning it is easier: acrylic is insensitive to moisture and tolerates household chemicals well.