Door Holders Securely Lock a Door Open

Doors are designed to open and close in order to control traffic and building environment. Sometimes a door needs to be held open for an extended period of time. The best solution in commercial applications is to invest in an overhead door holder or stop. These mechanisms are designed to lock a door open securely until the locking mechanism is released. When choosing overhead holders and stops, take note of door design and how frequently it will be locked open.

Holders and stops can be designed as interior/exterior or as only one or the other. Exterior applications or installations in any environment where corrosion may be a factor require holders/stops constructed of stainless steel or brass. Steel is acceptable in interior installations, although many users consider brass designs more attractive. Make sure you purchase the appropriate mechanism for your application.

The most functional holders and stops are surface-mounted. These allow the user to easily and quickly lock the door open and then release it through the use of a thumbturn. The best designs allow the hold-open feature to be turned on and off. The user can preset the mechanism to act only as a door stop or as a hold open when the door is fully open. In addition, look for overhead holders that allow dead-stop templating; this feature allows the holder to be set to stop opening once it reaches a particular point. For example, the user could set the door to never open beyond 110 degrees. This prevents the door from swinging open wildly and banging into a wall or another door installed back-to-back.

Surface-mounted overhead door holders/stops should be chosen to match the door size and usage. Most models will use specifications such as industrial use, heavy-duty, high-traffic, medium- or light-duty. Work with closely with the supplier to make sure you get the right product for your application. Also, be sure to specify whether you need a stop only or and hold-and-stop mechanism.

Finish may not be a concern in industrial applications, but retail buildings, hospitals, schools, and entertainment venues may want to use door holders and stops that complement the architecture of the building. Luckily, the finest holders and stops come in a variety of finishes, including satin stainless steel, polished stainless steel, chrome coating, polished brass, satin brass, satin bronze and oil-rubbed bronze.

Finally, if your holders/stops will be installed on fire doors, you must be sure to select models that are UL labeled as "miscellaneous fire door accessories." This ensures that the hardware does not in any way adversely impact the fire rating of the door.