--- title: Hold-Open vs Non-Hold-Open Door Closers date: 2026-06-08T00:00:00Z modified: 2026-07-26T14:29:44Z permalink: "https://www.oubao.com/blog/basic/hold-open-vs-non-hold-open-door-closers/" type: post status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 8717 categories: - basic featured_image: "https://www.oubao.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/image2-3.webp" featured_image_alt: "This image displays the OUBAO 9016 Adjustable Power Multi-Function Door Closer series, featuring internal cylinders on foreground pedestals linked to identical silver units demonstrating a \"hold-open active\" function on a propped door and a \"non-hold-open: closing\" function on a moving glass door." timestamp: 2026-07-26T14:29:44Z tags: - basic --- When outfitting a commercial building, the door closer matters as much as the door itself. The right unit regulates traffic flow, reinforces security, and reduces long-term wear on frames and hardware. Two options dominate commercial specifications: [hold-open and non-hold-open door closers](https://www.oubao.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/product_cat/all-series-door-closers.md). Understanding the mechanical difference between them determines whether your facility runs smoothly — or fails inspection. ## **What Is a Hold-Open Door Closer?** A hold-open door closer engages a mechanical detent or electromagnetic mechanism once the door passes the 90–110 degree threshold, keeping it open without user effort. Releasing it is straightforward — push the door toward closed and the closer takes over automatically. **Benefits of Hold-Open Door Closers:** - Reduces mechanical wear in high-traffic environments by eliminating constant cycling - Keeps lobbies, showrooms, and retail spaces feeling open and accessible - Simplifies movement of large equipment, inventory, or furniture through doorways - Lowers spring fatigue caused by repeated open-and-close cycles At OUBAO, hold-open units use zero-leakage hydraulic technology with pistons machined to 0.01mm precision. When the door holds open, hydraulic oil pressurizes a secondary chamber. Lower-grade units fail at this stage — seals collapse and damping performance disappears within months. [OUBAO hardware maintains stable performance](https://www.oubao.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/quality.md) down to -40°C, backed by a 5-year warranty and 2,000,000+ cycle rating. If your facility prioritizes accessibility and traffic flow, a hold-open door closer is the right specification. ## **What Is a Non-Hold-Open Door Closer?** A [non-hold-open closer](https://www.oubao.com/product/203-medium-duty-square-door-closer/) automatically returns the door to the closed and latched position after every use — no exceptions. These units are the correct choice wherever security, fire compliance, or climate control is a priority. ### **Benefits of Non-Hold-Open Door Closers:** - Keeps fire-rated corridors, stairwells, and elevator lobbies compliant - Maintains interior temperatures and reduces energy loss through open doorways - Secures restricted areas including server rooms, storage, and executive offices - Prevents doors from being left open in high-wind or high-pressure environments Non-hold-open units meet self-closing and self-latching requirements under national building codes. For fire-rated openings, they are not optional — they are mandatory. OUBAO non-hold-open closers carry standard [fire door approval](https://www.oubao.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/product_cat/warringtonfire-certifire-door-closer.md) and operate across the same -40°C to +50°C thermal range as the full product line. 203 Series Medium Duty Square Door Closer Card 203 Series Medium Duty Square Door Closer, UL - **Closing Force**2、3 - **Body Dimensions**180 mm (L) \* 51 mm (W) \* 39 mm (H) - **Footprint**60 mm \* 38 mm [ View Product ](https://www.oubao.com/product/203-medium-duty-square-door-closer/) ![203 Series Medium Duty Square Door Closer, UL](https://d3l817dwu73g64.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/203-1.jpg) ## **Hold-Open vs Non-Hold-Open: Feature Comparison** | **Feature** | **Hold-Open Door Closer** | **Non-Hold-Open Door Closer** | | --- | --- | --- | | Keeps Door Open | Yes, holds at 90–110 degrees | No, closes after every use | | Fire Door Approved | Electromagnetic only | Standard approval | | Security Level | Lower — door remains open | Higher — door always latches | | Energy Efficiency | Air may escape when held open | Maintains interior temperatures | | Traffic Flow | Ideal for high-traffic areas | Best for controlled access | | Piston Precision | 0.01mm (OUBAO Standard) | 0.01mm (OUBAO Standard) | | Cycle Life | 2,000,000+ cycles | 2,000,000+ cycles | | Common Applications | Lobbies, retail, warehouses | Offices, fire doors, exterior entrances | ## **Where Should Each Type Be Used?** Most commercial buildings use both types across different zones. Here is how to assign them correctly: **Entryways:** Non-hold-open closers suit most commercial entrances for security and energy efficiency. Small retail shops with heavy foot traffic may prefer hold-open units to keep the entrance accessible during peak hours. **Fire-Rated Doors:** Non-hold-open closers are mandatory. The only exception is an electromagnetic hold-open unit wired directly into the building’s fire alarm system — when the alarm triggers, power cuts and the door latches immediately. **Interior Doors:** Use non-hold-open closers for restricted areas — offices, server rooms, storage containing sensitive materials. Use hold-open closers for conference rooms, corridors, and any zone that benefits from open traffic flow. ## **Choosing The Right Door Closer For Your Facility** There is no universal answer. The correct unit depends entirely on how the door functions within the building. - **Choose a hold-open closer** when the door needs to stay open for extended periods and the opening is not fire-rated. - **Choose a non-hold-open closer** when the priority is security, fire compliance, energy control, or consistent latching. Door closers are straightforward to swap. If requirements change — a retail lobby gets reclassified, or a corridor becomes fire-rated — the hardware can be updated without replacing the door or frame. With a guaranteed 35-day lead time and factory-direct supply from a 106,000 ㎡ manufacturing base, [OUBAO supports specification](https://www.oubao.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/oem-odm.md) changes at any project stage. ## **Frequently Asked Questions** ### Can a hold-open door closer be installed on a fire-rated door? Mechanical hold-open closers cannot be installed on fire-rated doors. Fire codes require these doors to be self-closing and self-latching at all times. Only electromagnetic hold-open units connected to the building’s fire alarm system meet that requirement. ### Can I switch from a hold-open to a non-hold-open closer later? Yes. Door closers are modular hardware. Switching between types does not require replacing the door or frame — only the closer unit itself needs to change, provided the mounting geometry is compatible. ### Which door closer is better for energy efficiency? Non-hold-open closers perform better for energy efficiency. Because the door returns to the closed position after every use, conditioned air stays inside and exterior air stays out — reducing load on HVAC systems, particularly in climates with significant seasonal temperature variation.