Closers for kitchen cabinets: how to install a closer on a kitchen set

Brief overview of door hinges

First, as usual, a little theory. Doors open and close using hinges or canopies , and it depends on them and special shock absorbers whether your doors will close silently or with a knock.

Information!

The hinges vary depending on the degree of overlap on the side wall of the cabinet body; they are:

Canopies also differ in opening angle; there are many such hinges, but mostly you will come across hinges for false panels with an opening angle of 90 degrees, and hinges for corner cabinets and cabinets with an opening angle of +45 degrees.

Rice. 1. Overhead, semi-overhead, inset loops

In addition, hinges can be for specific purposes, for example, for narrow aluminum doors, for glass doors and cabinets with internal drawers, and so on. Moreover, they, in turn, are divided into invoices, semi-invoices and inlays, not all of them, of course, but in some cases for sure.

Rice. 2-3. Inset hinge for false panel

Rice. 4-5. Hinge for corner cabinet

Setting up the closer

To adjust the density, speed and smoothness of door closing, you need to:

take a screwdriver;
the screws on which the closer spring is attached must be tightened;
also check the tightness of the fastenings to the door or hinges.

Depending on the tension of the screw on the spring, the door stroke changes.

To prevent breakage of the closer and damage to the fittings, it must be cleaned of dirt with a soap solution and treated with technical oil/silicone grease.

The fittings must be cleaned and lubricated regularly.

If you hear a creaking sound when closing or opening the door, tighten the screws on the hinges.

It is strictly forbidden to clean the mechanism with soda, abrasive sponges and harsh detergents.

What are the components of a door hinge?

The hinge itself consists of three parts, the first is the hinge cup, which is installed in the hole in the door, the second is the hinge arm, which connects the cup to the third part of the hinge with a strike plate. The strike plate is mounted on the side wall of the housing.

Rice. 6. Components of the loop

We went over the hinges a little, now let's move on to studying the question of how to make the doors close without knocking .

Selection, installation and adjustment of a furniture closer

For maximum convenience of pieces of furniture equipped with doors or drawers, special fittings are installed - furniture closers. Modern devices differ in several main characteristics: type, mounting method, size. In order for a kitchen cabinet or any other piece of furniture equipped with a closer to function correctly, it is necessary to choose the right fittings. This article is devoted to this issue, as well as to the rules for installing and regulating door closers.

Furniture closers of various types

Smooth closing of doors using hinges with integrated closer

Soft close hinges from Blum

Let's start our review of soft closing with an innovation from Blum. The innovation is that the soft closing system, you won't believe it, is built into the hinge cup. That is, by installing such a hinge, your doors will no longer close with a knock , even if you try to slam the door on purpose.

Rice. 7-8. Soft closing system integrated into the hinge cup

Soft closing hinges from other manufacturers

What about hinges from other manufacturers? As an example, I will give a photo of hinges also with a shock absorption system, but not in the cup, but in the shoulder or in the striker, and we will also dwell on our own unsuccessful experience in using them.

The first sample is a GTV hinge with a shock absorption system in the form of a small piston in the hinge arm. The system looks rough compared to the Blum and over time began to jam and not work.

Rice. 9-10. GTV and Blum hinges with closers

The next option is a green box with a shock absorber, which is installed in the hinge plate; there is an adjusting screw on the outside. At first this loop worked properly, but over time the shock absorption system began to fail.

Conclusion, such a system can be used in cabinets where the doors do not open often, that is, this is not an option for the kitchen. Only the Blum hinge showed reliable operation over time, stable, smooth closing of doors without noise .

Rice. 11-12. The hinge absorber is installed in the strike plate

The difference in price between such hinges is about two times, but it’s better to spend money once and enjoy smooth closing than to buy new hinges.

Yes, and one more important point: Blum hinges are installed almost without tools; this installation system is called Clip Top .

Rice. 13-14. Blum hinge fastening using CLIP TOP technology

Varieties

Accessories for kitchen furniture are classified according to the principle of operation, structure and method of placement. According to the first criterion, closers are divided into the following types:

Gas. The kitchen cabinet door closes smoothly until it comes into contact with the rod, which enters the gaseous environment of the impenetrable space, thereby slowing down the movement of the door. The approximate period of operation is 5 years. The mechanism does not contain oil; in case of breakdown, the furniture will not be damaged by spilled liquid. Gas closers can be used in rooms with any microclimate.
Oily. Ensures smooth, complete closing of doors. A high-quality oil-based device operates without repair for up to 10 years.

How to make kitchen corners with your own hands, master classes

Gas

Oil

Gas-filled closers are used for hinged doors, and oil-filled mechanisms are used for sliding and hinged doors, as well as drawers. The former are cheaper, but last much less due to the high pressure inside the devices when the valves are closed.

Types of door closers by type of fastening:

Loopbacks. Reliable, simple, inexpensive, but not installed on drawers and sliding drawers. Mounted on door hinges.
Mortise. Located in close proximity to the hinges, they are installed on cabinets using the hidden installation method. They are durable and resistant to external influences.
Corpus. Products are attached to furniture using self-tapping screws or special bolts. Their advantage is the ability to install on various types of cabinets, but their disadvantage is the complexity of installation. The importance of all operating rules and the absence of distortions are important.

Hinges with closers are quite common, which eliminates the need for additional equipment.

Mortise

Hull

Loopy

Smooth closing of doors using shock absorbers or closers

Smooth closing can be achieved in less progressive ways - this is the use of shock absorption systems. The Blum company calls such systems BLUMOTION .

Shock absorber or closer, which is installed on the hinge arm

This system in the form of an overlay is installed directly on the hinge arm. There are limitations here, such overlays can only be installed on Blum hinges and the design of the hinge must allow this. This information can be obtained from the seller. Let’s say at the moment you don’t have money for hinges with a built-in closer, but you can initially buy simple Blum hinges, and then buy additional hinge closers .

Rice. 15. Operating diagram of the hinge closer

Rice. 16. Hinge on which you can install a hinge closer

Rice. 17. Blum hinge closer

Shock absorber or closer, which is installed at the handle

This is a more universal solution for shock absorption when closing doors, called door shock absorber . Such closers can be used for hinges that are not equipped with a shock absorption system.

Rice. 18. Shock absorber for doors

The shock absorber can be installed in the following positions, according to the diagram. Usually, installing one door closer is sufficient.

Rice. 19. Possible locations for installing the closer at the end of the housing

The closer itself can be installed directly into the end of the housing by pre-drilling a hole, or installed using a holder. There are two types of holder available – cross-shaped and straight.

How to install a door closer yourself

Installation of complex, expensive shock absorption systems such as electric lifts should be done by professionals. Any home craftsman can handle the installation of simpler and more common structures.

The easiest way is to attach special loop closers to furniture hinges .

The arm or bowl of the hinge must have special grooves , the closer is placed on top and snaps into place.

If the hinges are not suitable for fastening shock-absorbing devices , use cabinet or mortise closers.

Installation of a cabinet closer

The cabinet closer is installed in close proximity to the furniture hinge . Placement in the middle, between the loops, is allowed.

How to install:

For convenience, remove wall cabinets from the wall. Place the piece of furniture on the floor or table.
Mark where the device will be fixed, put dots in the places of the proposed holes.
Drill holes for the mounting bolts. For self-tapping screws, puncture the surface with an awl.
Screw the base of the closer with self-tapping screws or bolts.
Check if there is any interference when opening and closing the doors.
Hang the cabinet in place.

Surface-mounted body closers can be equipped with a limiter . It is applied to the edge of the part and the device is immediately secured with self-tapping screws without preliminary marking.

Mortise devices

Mortise closers are mounted at the end of the side part of the cabinet opposite the door .
For wall cabinets, choose the top or middle part of the part, for floor cabinets - the bottom. Installation proceeds as follows :

Mark the installation point of the closer at the end of the part. Make a small hole with an awl.
Using a drill corresponding to the length and thickness of the closer rod, drill a hole to the appropriate depth.
Insert the mechanism into the hole.

It is better not to use glue or sealant for fixation . They will create difficulties during dismantling in case of breakdown. The closer will not move or fall out without additional means of fastening.

Gas lift installation

Operating procedure:

Mark with a pencil the installation locations for equipment fastenings.
Pre-drill holes for mounting bolts. If you use self-tapping screws, you don't need to do this.
Having attached the fasteners to the intended places, secure them with screws or bolts.
Insert the closer mechanism into the fastening holes and click into place.

Silicone shock absorbers

Silicone shock absorbers are produced on a self-adhesive basis and are used as an addition to the main shock absorption systems. Such a circle is separated from the base and glued to the end of the body or facade.

Some furniture makers limit themselves only to silicone shock absorbers, but they will not ensure smooth closing of doors; they will only muffle the sound of the door when it is closed.

Rice. 26. Silicone shock absorbers

Adjusting kitchen cabinets. How to quickly and easily align cabinet fronts.

After intensive use of the kitchen, there is a possibility that the facades will need to be leveled. In simple terms, adjust the hinges on kitchen cabinet doors. By the way, in kitchen cabinets, not only the hinges in the doors are adjusted, but also the fronts of the drawers. In general, all these issues are related to the adjustment of fittings. We decided to write an article in which we will describe in detail what fittings are used in kitchen units produced by the ENLI factory, and how the fittings are adjusted by professional furniture assemblers using specific examples. Let us remind you that for any advice on kitchens and assistance in choosing a custom-made kitchen, choosing accessories, contact our branded kitchen salon in Odintsovo (village of Yudino shopping center ODEKS) address here

The secret to securely attaching hinges

There is such an important point when using hinges - this is the reliability of fastening the doors. Without reliable fastening, the smooth fastening system will be unnecessary.

Hinge Cup Attachment

You can secure the hinge cup to the door using self-tapping screws, but there is a more reliable method of fastening using special spacer plugs and screws.

To install the plugs, you need to drill two holes with a diameter of 8 mm. Find out if such a service is provided in the place where you order drilling for awnings.

Rice. 27-28. Drilling the facade under the hinge cup and spacer plugs

Rice. 29. Spacer plugs for attaching the hinge cup

Rice. 30. Installation diagram for a hinge with Expando spacer plugs

Mounting the strike plate

The strike plate can be secured to the side wall using self-tapping screws, Euroscrews, and the most reliable way is with Euroscrews of smaller diameter through spacer plugs.

The structure of the chipboard is loose and a self-tapping screw or Euroscrew may eventually break out of the chipboard and you won’t be able to screw it back in, you’ll have to glue in the chips, re-drill, and then, it won’t last long, you’ll have to change the side wall. Only a bar for spacer plugs will ensure long-lasting and reliable fastening.

Drilling is done with a drill with a diameter of 5 mm, similar to drilling for Euro screws.

Types of furniture hinges with closers for the kitchen and mechanisms for drawers

Closers for furniture hinges can be standard, built-in or overhead. The first option is represented by a structure built into the arm connected to the bowl. The shoulder has a specific spring shape, which indicates the presence of a closer. Devices built into kitchen cabinet hinges allow you to adjust the degree of amplification of door movement. Depending on the area and weight of the door, the door closing process will be faster or slower. This provides for partial or complete damping of the impact on the body.

Closers for kitchen drawers are installed on metaboxes

If it is not possible to replace old hangers with hinges with a closer for cabinet doors, you can purchase separate overhead devices that will ensure smooth closing of cabinet doors. The mechanism is mounted near the hinge directly to the arm of the product itself on a latch or installed on the cabinet body.

A more simplified version of an overhead closer is a damper. It does not provide soft closing of the doors. The product simply dampens and softens the impact of the facade on the body. The damper can be presented in two versions - a shock absorber or a bump stop. A shock absorber is a silicone, oil or gas mechanism that is attached to the side of the furniture. The protruding element helps soften the impact. The bumper, which has the form of a mortise or overhead structure, is represented by a silicone gasket, which, taking the blow, muffles the sound.

Closers for kitchen drawers are installed on metaboxes, made in the form of furniture boxes with a hard thick bottom, the back and front are made of MDF or chipboard, and their side walls are made of metal. These slides can be manufactured as separate components or as built-in closers for kitchen drawers.

The damper is manufactured in two versions, in the form of a shock absorber or a bump stop

These shock absorbers can also be installed on boxes with fiberboard bottoms. However, when attaching them to the bottom, it is necessary to reinforce it. If installation is carried out to the inner wall of the cabinet, the design of the mechanism will not make it possible to place the product on the lowest drawer. Ball systems with built-in closers have proven themselves well. Despite the high cost of the devices, they can be installed in any place, which will ensure convenient and durable operation of the drawer.

The right approach to choosing a door closer: basic recommendations

In order for kitchen furniture to serve for many years, it is important to take a very responsible approach to the choice of closers for drawers and doors, which not only contribute to the convenient, comfortable and silent operation of furniture elements, but also affect the aesthetic appearance and durability of the set. There are a large number of devices, the type of which is selected based on the design and size of cabinets or drawers.

The first step is to decide how much weight the structure has, which should be equipped with a closer. A weak mechanism is not able to withstand a heavy sash, which will lead to its rapid failure. A design designed for large upper kitchen cabinets will ensure that small doors close too quickly.

The method of positioning the closer is important. The mechanism can be attached directly to the body, mounted on hinges or between them. You should definitely pay attention to the device manufacturer. It is recommended to purchase a mechanism produced by a well-known company that has proven itself to be the best in the manufacture of accessories. The best are foreign brands. Blum kitchen closers deserve special attention.

Choosing the right closer is a guarantee of its long and trouble-free service

Helpful advice! If you don’t want to periodically adjust the operation of the mechanism, you should pay attention to self-adjusting door closers.

Why do you need a door closer: operating principle

A door closer is a device that allows large and heavy doors to close smoothly and quietly. The closer is often installed on doors in rooms with very high traffic.

Thanks to the closer, entrance and interior doors close tightly immediately after the leaf is released, which allows you to save heat or coolness inside the room.

In addition, closers significantly extend the life of door locking devices. The principle of operation of the mechanism is quite simple. The main working element of the device is the spring. When the door is opened, it is the door that contracts and accumulates energy, which returns the door to its original position. An oil shock absorber allows the door to close smoothly and silently.

Some door closers have more than one shock absorber, but several, but this does not change the principle of operation.

The type of closer determines the mechanism that drives the operating spring. Thus, gear-driven closers and devices with a sliding rod are distinguished.

How to choose a door closer

When going to the store to buy a furniture closer, you need to evaluate the main selection criteria and purchase high-quality products that will be durable and reliable. At the purchasing stage, you need to determine how much weight the mechanism will hold on each piece of furniture. If you choose an insufficiently strong structure, it will not be able to withstand the weight of the door and will quickly fail. At the same time, heavy closers are ineffective for light doors, since they will not ensure smooth operation.

When looking for effective solutions for your kitchen cabinets, you should pay attention to the following brands:

Bloom.
Hettich.
Vauth Sagel
Boyard.

Blum is a popular Austrian hardware manufacturer that markets a wide range of furniture closers. The price range varies from 150 rubles. up to 3000 rub. The dampers are designed for CLIP top hinges and ensure long-term, trouble-free operation. The mechanism is fixed on Blum hinges in special sockets. If the doors are compact, you can get by with one closer, but for heavy structures you will need to buy two products.

Models with smooth and silent closing are suitable for drawers with closers that weigh up to 25 kg. They are provided complete with metaboxes. For large structures you will need 2 door closers.

The German brand Hettich produces luxury fittings with a minimum cost of 300 rubles. The company's product range includes built-in mechanisms with a self-closing option. In appearance they do not differ from simple loops. Devices with an optional damper are also offered for sale, which are put on the loop in different parts.

Products from Vauth Sagel enjoy a positive reputation and are manufactured in Germany. It is developed for luxury furniture sets and is sold at a price of 300 rubles.

Mechanisms from Boyard are Russian accessories that can be purchased at prices ranging from 647 to 5324 rubles. To ensure that the door closer installation is completed without failures, it is better to download and print the template.

GTV is a Polish manufacturer of accessories and LED lighting with distributors in Russia and production facilities in China. The company produces affordable gas elevators for 118 rubles.

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.

Operating principle

The door closer operates quite simply, which is due to its standard and simple design. The features of its action include:

the main mechanism is a special spring located in a metal capsule, and it is filled with a special liquid or oil;
the product is equipped with special valves that make it possible to adjust the speed of closing the doors;
due to the closer, pressure is applied to the front of the door, which guarantees its smooth and silent closing under the influence of its own weight;
this leads to the fact that the door acts on a special stop, which acts as part of the closer;
the liquid covering the spring is lowered into a special capsule sleeve;
it is held in the sleeve by a special system of seals;
the adjusting part of the product ensures a narrowing or expansion of the outflow channel, therefore control and regulation of the door closing speed is ensured;
in the process of closing the door, it begins to exert a stronger influence on the closer;
the adjusting part of the product expands quite strongly, so the piston outflow channel decreases;
this causes the piston to slow down, so the door closes really slowly, without sudden movements, and there are no knocks or other extraneous sounds.

If you choose high-quality hinges and closers, they are guaranteed to protect facades from various damages, and will also be durable and easy to use.

Gas closers are often installed on inexpensive cabinets. They work in such a way that the door closes as quickly as possible until a specific moment, after which it begins to act on the closer, which uses gas located in a special capsule for operation. This principle of operation ensures silent and slow closing of the door at the end, but the product itself is considered quite fragile and short-lived.

The door closer on the kitchen unit door is broken: how to fix it

There are several typical failures of a spring door closer in a kitchen set. The main problems include deformation or damage to guide devices and rods. This may be caused by damage to the door or excessive opening of the leaf after the closer passes the dead center. A broken rod can be repaired relatively easily.

Damage to the closer rod may be associated with:

By bending the lever in the opposite direction;
Lever jamming;
Breakage of fasteners.

If the lever is bent in the opposite direction, then you can fix the problem yourself. To do this, it will be enough to remove the cabinet doors from their hinges, disassemble the closer, and carefully bend it in the other direction with your hands. Disassembling and repairing the closer will not take much time. If it is not possible to return the lever to its original shape with such repairs, then it will be possible to replace the damaged element with a new one.

How to remove and repair a door closer

If the mechanism is damaged, it will have to be dismantled and repaired. For these purposes, you will need to unscrew the screws from the body and the connection point of the lever. In most cases, an unpleasant phenomenon appears due to the following factors:

The closer was exposed to high humidity conditions for a long time and was subject to corrosion processes.
When opening or closing the doors, a lot of force was exerted, which prevented the free movement of the mechanism.
The door closer model was chosen incorrectly, resulting in a heavy structure acting on a weak mechanism.
Oily liquid has leaked from the chamber.
The working rod was deformed.

In the event of an oil leak, the functionality of the fittings can be restored only if it remains inside the capsule. To fix problems, you need to replenish the supply with engine oil or shock-absorbing fluid and apply sealant to the damaged area.

If the rod is damaged, you must act according to the following principle:

If the element is covered with rust, it must be cleaned with a special anti-corrosion agent.
Welding equipment is used to restore the broken rod.
Minor damage can be removed using a hammer using careful movements. If it is not possible to restore the lever to its previous shape, the damaged part will need to be replaced.
If there are large deformations, you will need to purchase a new rod.

Repair of the closer should be started immediately after any problems appear in its operation. Otherwise, the mechanism will be completely disabled and will become unsuitable for restoration. As it is used, it must be cleaned of dust and lubricated with an oily liquid.

Any modern furniture should be equipped with high-quality and functional fittings. If it is missing, using the kitchen set will be uncomfortable and useless. Important elements will not open well and break. The task of door closers is to prevent such problems and organize the free movement of doors when opening or closing.

But in order for the mechanism to last as long as possible and cope with its functions, it is necessary to properly maintain it and prevent damage. You also need to know how to choose door closers for different types of kitchen furniture.

What to do when oil leaks: DIY door closer repair

The cause of breakdown of the oil-filled closer body can be temperature changes. Without liquid, the structure will lose its key properties and turn into an ordinary spring mechanism. As a result, the opposite effect will be achieved: when closing the door, instead of slowing down, it will speed up, which will cause additional noise.

To prevent final damage to the closer, it must be repaired immediately after the first signs of leakage, otherwise the device will have to be completely replaced.

In order to repair the door closer body, first of all, it is necessary to localize the location of the leak. Leakage can be caused by depressurization of the housing, for example, as a result of its damage. A regular sealant will help fix the problem. However, it should be borne in mind that this method can eliminate a small hole.

If the hole in the housing is large or a sufficiently large amount of oil leaked out during repair work, then before sealing, you must add fluid.

That is, filling the oil should be carried out before any work related to sealing. This procedure will ensure that the oil level is normal. In addition, it often happens that the required amount of oil is not initially added at the factory. Therefore, the closer often creaks. You can get rid of the sound by pouring the missing oil into the hydraulic reservoir. What oil can I use?

You can fill the closer with regular engine oil or a more affordable shock absorber fluid.

The missing oil should be filled through the holes of the screws to adjust the smooth closing of the blade, having first unscrewed them.

Adjusting hinges with closers on hinged facades

Hinges are installed on hinged facades. Hinges can be used to adjust the facades in height, width and deviation from the body (adjacent to the body)

The factory uses hinges of only one configuration, Clip Top Blumotion, with a built-in closer. Today, these loops are considered the best on the European and Russian markets . The manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty for this product, which is very important! Since the greatest load during the operation of furniture falls on the hinges.

Types of door closers for kitchen cabinets

The slamming of kitchen drawer and cabinet doors not only gets on your nerves, but also gradually damages the hinges on which these doors are hung. To extend the service life of this type of fittings, special mechanisms have been developed, called closers for kitchen cabinets. They close the doors silently and smoothly. And this is their main and only function. Modern kitchen furniture comes to the retail chain already with closers. The same goes for custom-made furniture. But if your house has an old-style set, then installing closers yourself is not a problem.

What are they?

The main purpose of door closers for kitchen cabinets is to protect door hinges, preserve the integrity of furniture parts, and prevent paint chips, scratches, and cracks. They are mainly necessary for glass facades, for which impacts of any kind are destructive. Thanks to the closers, the doors close softly and silently, without sudden movements and the possibility of the facade hitting the body.

Important advantages of door closers:

soft closing of the door, preventing defects;
wide choice of mechanisms;
the door closes tightly, it never opens on its own;
quick installation;
the capsule filler (liquid, gas) is located in a sealed chamber;
removable elements are quickly replaced with new ones;
In high-quality products, oil rarely leaks out when it breaks; more often it remains in the capsule.

Like any furniture fittings, door closers also have disadvantages:

the oil inside the metal capsule thickens at low temperatures in unheated rooms;
installation of the closer must be carried out taking into account many requirements and instructions;
Some samples have an unaesthetic appearance.

The closer is designed to protect door hinges

In high-quality products, all elements can be easily changed if necessary.

Types of kitchen closers

If we talk about the operating principle of kitchen closers, then it is necessary to outline the basic design of this mechanism. In fact, this is an ordinary spring, which is located in a metal capsule filled with technical oil. That is, when the doors are closed, the same spring is compressed. In this case, you can adjust the closing speed by slightly opening or vice versa closing the capsule valves.

It is not difficult to install a door closer yourself; the main thing is to accurately select the required type specifically for the specific type of piece of furniture where it will be installed. Typically, manufacturers complete with the mechanism and offer instructions for its installation. But if it is not there, then you can consult in the store.

All types of door closers for kitchen units are attached to ordinary self-tapping screws, which are included in the kit. In this case, the mechanism is installed in three places:

On the door or wall of furniture.
On the hinges.
Between parts of loops.

Kitchen door closers with hinges are used for kitchen unit doors.
The second position is quite rare due to the fact that special mounting sockets must be made in the hinges themselves. If there are none, then the closers will have to be mounted using so-called Euroscrews. But this type of door closer is the most reliable. But they can only be used for kitchen cabinet doors. You can't put them on drawers.

For the latter, mechanisms of a different type are used, which are based on guides. They are attached to the body of the base cabinet, where the drawers are inserted. The mechanisms themselves are invisible, which is very important for the appearance of the headset. It should be noted that retractable closers can be installed not only on drawers; they are often used to install roll-out elements of kitchen furniture.

Installation Rules

Typically, closers are sold complete with all the necessary elements used during installation, so there is no need to purchase any additional accessories. It is best to choose the hinge installation method. How to install the door closer correctly? To do this, follow the following steps:

special hinges are selected in the store, designed for high-quality fastening of door closers;
due to the use of hinges, it is possible to hide the entire mechanism in them, so it will not spoil the appearance of the furniture;
additional tools and materials are prepared that will be used during work, and these include self-tapping screws and special screws for furniture, and the procedure is performed with a screwdriver;
before direct work, carefully study the instructions attached to any closer;
Large closers are usually used, and in this case the piston certainly remains on the stationary part of the shelf;
the rest of the product is fixed directly to the cabinet door;
if you need to install a small door closer, then it is installed on a stationary part of the furniture;
if gas closers are used that require internal installation, then they must be correctly and carefully inserted into the loop, after which they are considered correctly installed, so their installation is the simplest and most accessible;
installation is carried out only after the hinges are securely fastened;
the closer is inserted into a special hole in the loop, and this must be done until a characteristic click is heard, which indicates reliable and correct fixation of the mechanism;
The remaining elements of the closer are screwed to the drawer body, for which you can use standard self-tapping screws or special furniture screws.

Before starting work, it is recommended to watch a training video containing the main steps that can be seen visually, and this will allow you to complete the work quickly and without errors. Thus, if you correctly understand the instructions, then installing the door closer correctly yourself will not be difficult. You don't have to use any special fasteners or unusual tools.

Insertion of the closer into the body

Installing a door closer using a holder

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.

Manufacturers

A guarantee of the reliability of fittings for kitchen cabinets is the choice of devices from manufacturers who have proven themselves to be the best in the world market. The closer serves as an important element of cabinets of all types, so saving is inappropriate. Foreign brands are especially popular in the modern market for kitchen appliances, but domestic companies have also established themselves as a worthy supplier:

Bloom. The Austrian brand has existed for about 70 years and successfully occupies a leading position in the furniture fittings market. Blum develops advanced door closers for kitchen units of various modifications and prices. The company produces high-quality lifting mechanisms and products for retractable systems.
Siro. The Italian brand is very popular in Russia. Each manufacturer’s product undergoes stages of quality control and testing in an international certification concern.
Hafele. The German company produces environmentally friendly, energy-saving fittings. It is recommended to pay attention to the line of mortise shock absorbers, spring and gas lifting mechanisms for facades.
Boyard. The domestic company specializes in marketing products made in China. Boyard offers good budget devices that are distinguished by functionality and high quality.
Hettich. The range of fittings from Germany consists of devices of economy and luxury classes, a varied selection of furniture hinges with a built-in closer. On the company’s official website on the Internet, you can use the function of creating an individual project.
Httti. Another German company that has proven itself well in the domestic market. The products it produces are in demand due to their quality and very affordable cost.

You should care for furniture closers in the same way as other household items. Minor defects in mortise, hinge and overhead mechanisms in most cases cannot be repaired - they are dismantled and easily replaced. To extend their service life, it is necessary to regularly check and tighten the fasteners, clean them from rust, and lubricate them with machine oil or silicone grease if squeaks occur.

Bloom

Boyard

Hafele

Hettich

Lifting mechanisms

For unknown reasons, lifting mechanisms for kitchen units do not belong to the group of door closers, although they perform the same functions. They are used in wall cabinets whose doors open upward. Therefore, handles are not installed on them. You just need to click on the facade, the door will open.

It should be noted that lifting mechanisms have a broader classification than door closers. They are divided into several groups that differ from each other purely structurally using different elements.

Spring structures in the form of brackets. These are the cheapest mechanisms with good reliability. But they have one drawback - you cannot open the door in an intermediate position. That is, it opens to the maximum.
Gas elevator. The functions of the spring in these mechanisms are performed by the pumped gas. A high-quality appearance with one drawback - in the closed position, the gas narrows, that is, its volume decreases, which means the pressure in the capsule increases. And this negatively affects the parts of the mechanism itself, which leads to their rapid wear.
Electric, which are also the most expensive. Excellent mechanisms that are called “smart kitchen”.
The market also offers types of lifting mechanisms that can be fixed in any opening position. In this case, the maximum opening angle is 107°. Experts note that these are the most reliable mechanisms.
Folding. They are not only a lifting element for the kitchen unit door, but also its fastening element. Therefore, the door does not open, but rather tilts back, taking a position parallel to the facades of the kitchen furniture. You just need to press on the door itself, and it will rise up.

This is the variety of kitchen closers offered by manufacturers today. Inexpensive in price, they increase the usability of the headset. And all housewives have long appreciated this.

Types of closers for the kitchen

Closers for kitchen cabinets differ from each other in several ways .

Mechanism of action

According to the principle of operation, closers are divided into:

Gas (pictured). The door closes freely until it touches the stem. The rod penetrates the dense gas environment of the sealed chamber, slowing down the movement of the door. Air or nitrogen is used as a filler. The average service life of gas devices is 5 years.
Polymer . The mechanism of action is similar to the gas version. Instead of gas, a liquid polymer filler based on silicone is used. In terms of durability, they do not exceed gas ones.
Oily . From the beginning of movement, the door or drawer immediately acts on a spring enclosed in a capsule with oil. The oil slowly flows into the adjacent chamber. The speed slows down and the entire closing cycle occurs smoothly. Oil shock absorbers are more durable, lasting up to 10 years. They are more expensive than gas or polymer ones.

Gas-filled closers are used for folding structures. Oil devices are used for drawers, swing and sliding doors.

Important! When using oil devices in unheated rooms, difficulties may arise in the operation of the closer. Oil becomes thicker at low temperatures.

Mounting type

Based on the mounting method, closers are divided into three types :

Mortise - a hole is drilled inside the side wall of the cabinet in which the device is placed.
Cabinet-mounted - fixed to the surface of the kitchen unit parts using self-tapping screws or fastening bolts (pictured).
Hinge - installed on door hinges in special sockets.

Often there are hinges with an already built-in closer . Check to see if your furniture has this option before installing additional hardware.

Lifting mechanisms

Furniture closers for the kitchen, used for hinged doors, are included in a separate category . Such doors can drop down or swing up.

There are four types of kitchen lifting mechanisms:

Spring . A metal spring helps to pull or push the door. The design of the device is simple and rarely fails. It is not possible to leave a door ajar with a spring shock absorber; it must either be closed or completely open.
Spring-oil . There is a spring in a sealed chamber filled with oil. By contracting, it overcomes additional resistance and ensures a slow, even opening of the door.
Pneumatic (gas) . Smooth running is achieved by displacing air from a closed, impenetrable capsule with a special rod. A pressure difference occurs in different parts of it.
Electrical . Complex programmable mechanisms with electric drive. Allows you to set the opening speed and maximum angle. The doors close automatically after a specified period of time. They open by pressing the facade or touching the handle.

It can be useful:
Selection of kitchen furniture fittings and components
Hinges for kitchen furniture with closer
Mounting options for wall cabinets for the kitchen

How to make and install a drawer for Tandem or Movento.

Instructions, design, manufacturing and installation of a drawer on Tandem slides (including TIP-ON) or Movento.

In principle, the left figure is enough to make a Tandem drawer with full or partial extension with a closer (Blumotion) or Tip-on (opening system by pressing the front), and all calculations can be applied to Movento. We have provided drawings from the official instructions of the manufacturer - BLUM.

Tandem and Movento are brothers, Movento is a new generation of guides, which already have a Blumotion or Tip-on door closer (opening system by pressing the facade) already built into them. Movento – full extension only.

For those who have already installed Tandem, installing Movento will not present any difficulties, the only difference is that Movento is 1 mm higher than Tandem. Tandem with Tip-on is also 1mm taller (asterisk in the picture).

This 1 mm will not affect in any way when designing the height of the edge of the drawer, its width or length

even because 1 mm is an error in marking, cutting, and installation. The only thing is that it needs to be taken into account when marking and installing guides on the wall of the case (cabinet), but only if you make an installation drawing with dimensions and install according to it. However, in practice, they are installed locally.

How to make a drawer, it’s simple, here’s what you need to calculate:

1. Correctly calculate the protruding edge of the side of the box, especially important if you are working with 18 mm chipboard. If possible, it is better to work with 16 mm chipboard.

2. Dimensions of the bottom of the box.

3. Sidewall height.

Next, find a company that is engaged in cutting and selling chipboards, there are very, very many of them in Minsk, I think in other cities too. You choose the color of the chipboard, give the dimensions, and they will do everything for you.

1. Sidewall processing. Width of the bottom of the Tandem drawer.

The drawer must have a protruding edge, the role of which is to close the guide, because Tandem is hidden guides. The rib also serves to secure the box to them. The rib thickness should be no more than 16 mm. 16 mm chipboard is suitable. But because it is not very popular in Belarus, then you can use 18 mm chipboard, for this you will have to process it (Fig. on the right)

Calculation of bottom width.

Bottom length and body depth.

Once assembled, everything should look like the picture on the left. Pay attention to the bottom length. BOTTOM LENGTH = RAIL LENGTH – 10 mm. Let's look at it with an example.

Let's say we chose a 500 mm guide. Then BOTTOM LENGTH = 500 – 10 = 490 mm.

Pay attention to the depth of the case!

For example, if we chose a 500 mm guide, then the body depth = 500 + 3 = 503 mm.

Drawer height.

Now you need to correctly calculate the height of the box. Let's look at an example for Tandem:

Let's say we have a standard kitchen cabinet (cabinet), 720 mm high, made of 18mm chipboard.
Then the internal height of the case will be = 720 – 36 = 684 mm. We want to make 4 drawers in this building. Then the height of the box = (684 – 32.5*4)/4 = 138.5 mm, rounded to 138 mm. You can make the task more difficult.
We want the boxes to be different heights. For example, so that all but the bottom one are 100 mm high. The total height of the walls of the boxes = 138 * 4 = 552 mm. Three drawers 100 mm high are 300 mm. Then the lower one will be 552 – 300 = 252 mm high. I hope the idea is clear!

4. Installing locks on the drawer.

Once the box is assembled, install the locks. The locks are used to secure the drawer on the Tandem guides.

It's simple: place the lock tightly between the edge and the facade and secure it with self-tapping screws.

By the way, the lock also allows for height adjustment of the façade! (The wheel is locked).

5. Holes in the back wall of the drawer.

Drill holes in the back of the drawer as shown in the picture. These holes serve for additional fixation of the drawer with a special pin, which is located at the end of the guides and also allows you to adjust the tilt of the facade.

Alternative solutions

How to install a drawer on Tandem or Movento guides.

Please note the size is 37mm

from the edge of the body to the 4th hole in the guide, it must be maintained exactly!
The left and right guides must be at the same level. By level we mean the same measurement of dimensions relative to the body (cabinet). Pay attention to the correct positions of the guides on one wall. The distance between the guides (third picture) must be chosen so that there is a gap of at least 7 mm between the top of the drawer and the next guide!
, or better yet more, we would recommend at least 20 mm.
Take this point into account when calculating the height of the drawer sides! IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO TURN THE SCREWS INTO ALL HOLES! Many holes are made so that in case of a drilling error, you can re-drill the hole in another place! There are no recommendations on how many screws to install on the box. Use common sense! The heavier the box, the more screws!

How to install a drawer on Tandem slides.

1. Pull out the telescopic parts of the guides. 2. Place the drawer on the guides. 3. Push the drawer all the way in. The locks will automatically secure the drawer.

Installation of the front and front eccentric for the Tandem drawer.

1. Attach the front to the drawer. Mark a line on which the front eccentrics will be installed, so that the eccentrics fall approximately in the middle of the box wall; this marking is quite arbitrary. 2. Mark holes on the line for the eccentrics, approximately 50 mm from the edge of the facade. 3. Drill holes for the eccentrics as shown in the figure. 4. Insert core punches into the holes under the façade eccentric. 5. Attach the front to the assembled and installed box in the body and lightly mark the fastening positions on the box. 6. Drill according to the markings. 7. Secure the façade with a screw without fully tightening the screw. 8. Adjust the position of the front. The eccentric allows adjustment in height/width – +/- 2 mm. 9. Tighten the screw completely.

Tandem full and partial extension with door closer, without door closer, TIP-ON.

What to look for when choosing a kitchen unit

As a rule, when purchasing kitchen furniture, everyone pays attention to its appearance, although furniture fittings are very important. These are closers and lifting mechanisms. They are what make kitchen furniture more functional and comfortable.

Furniture boxes can be divided into two types: metaboxes and tandemboxes . Metaboxes have the following design: a box with metal walls on retractable rollers, coated with white or metallic enamel. For their production, high-strength steel is used, due to which they can withstand heavy loads. The metabox kit consists of two side walls and two support elements. For such boxes, special elements are provided, with the help of which you can easily increase the height of the box to the size you need. In addition, with the help of separation systems, you can intelligently organize your workspace .

Metaboxes open very smoothly and silently, which is very convenient to use. In addition, their design already includes special closers, thanks to which the drawer automatically returns to its original closed position. To do this, just push it with your hand.

A structure consisting of glass or steel walls and a tubular rail is called tandembox . The guides that tandem boxes are equipped with allow for full drawer extension, which is very convenient. In addition, tandem boxes can withstand heavy loads and are equipped with automatic closers, which allow the box to close smoothly and silently.

What types of door closers are there?

The mechanisms differ in the location of the structure and the principle of operation. According to the method of fastening they are distinguished:

Cabinet-mounted – installed on the inner wall of the cabinet.

Placed between furniture hinges.

According to the principle of operation there are:

oil (able to close the door smoothly);
gas (they cost less, but provide slow door movement from the middle of the journey).

Gas closers are recommended for installation on hinged doors (opening downwards), and oil closers are suitable for swing doors.

Lifting mechanisms

Lifts are installed on hinged doors that open up or down. They are attached less frequently to swing doors. Previously, such complex mechanisms could only be found on expensive pieces; now lifting systems are found on any furniture and come in four types:

spring system is a simple and common design. Springs made of durable metal attract or repel the door. The mechanism is practical and, if used correctly, works properly for a long time. The only disadvantage of the spring system is that the doors cannot be locked in any position. They are either open or closed.
spring-oil - this model of lift differs from the previous one in the smoothness of movement. This is due to the fact that the spring is placed in a metal capsule filled with polymer or oil. The diagonal lift is the standard version of this model.
based on the gas principle. The softening factor is air. The mechanism consists of a chamber with a piston. When compressed or stretched, the pressure in the chamber changes. This gives the necessary smoothness. Such lifts break down more often than others, so you should be wary of counterfeit products.
electrical mechanisms - the newest and most expensive lift systems, respond to the touch of the cabinet door. You can set the opening angle (no more than 107 degrees) and the delay time after which the door will close on its own.

You can read more about kitchen cabinet fittings here.

Gas elevators

Such devices are simpler than lifts. When closing, the closet door presses on the piston. The air in the chamber is compressed, thereby softening the blow. Unlike lifting systems, gas systems are activated at the end of the door stroke.

In modern systems, manufacturers have replaced the air in the chambers with polymer.

The weak point of gas closers is that the closed door constantly puts pressure on the chamber. For this reason, such furniture fittings do not last long - up to 4 years. But it is distinguished by its low price and ease of installation.

Drawer closers

Typically, shock absorbers are placed on metaboxes - furniture boxes with a hard, thick bottom, front and back made of chipboard or MDF, the side walls of which are made of metal. There are guides with built-in closers and separate components that represent a kit for a drawer.

A brief overview of cabinet closers used in the kitchen

Mechanisms that allow furniture doors to close smoothly and silently are called closers. Thanks to such mechanisms, your kitchen furniture will be kept in excellent original condition. The constant slamming of cabinet doors and drawers gets on your nerves, which is why door closers are widely used in modern kitchens. They occupy an important place among other little things. Currently, kitchen furniture has begun to be equipped with built-in mechanisms. But if you decide to equip your existing furniture with such mechanisms, it will not be difficult. In this article you can learn about all the details of this topic.

Types of kitchen mechanisms

Closers that are installed on hinges are highly reliable. Unfortunately, closers of this type can only be used on cabinet doors. They are not suitable for drawers. For such drawers there is a special type of closers, consisting of special guides. Such guides are visually invisible and extremely useful for use in the kitchen. They can be used for both drawers and roll-out elements.

Closers can be divided into two groups:

oil closers;
and gas closers.

The operating principle of oil closers is based on the fact that they allow drawers to close slowly and smoothly. Closers of this type are widely used on the market and have a wide range of prices, so choosing an oil mechanism is within the power of any pocket.

The gas closer has a lower price. The principle of closing drawers when using gas closers is as follows: after applying some force, the drawer begins to close quickly and finally stops abruptly, after which the drawer slowly closes until it stops. The advantage of this mechanism is that if the closer breaks down, oil will not leak , which can ruin your furniture in the kitchen.