Waterson Door Opening Degrees
At Waterson Closer Hinge, we define door swing behavior through clear operating zones for both mechanical and hydraulic systems. These door opening degrees rage protect the internal mechanism and maintain consistent closing performance. The information below explains how the angles work and what to expect when the door moves beyond 120°.
Can Waterson Hinges Open Up to 180 Degrees?
Yes. Both mechanical and hydraulic hinges can physically open to 180°.
However, both systems are designed to perform optimally within the range of 0°–120°. The 120° guideline is a preventive measure to reduce long-term stress on the mechanism.
We do not recommend opening or swinging the door beyond 120° frequently, as extended use in this zone will shorten the hinge’s service life and is not covered under warranty.
How Will Waterson Hinges Be Damaged if I Swing the Door Over 120° Too Often?
If the door keeps opening beyond 120°, the hinge will not fail immediately. The damage comes from repeated stress in the extended range:
| Mechanism | 0°–120° Opening Degree | 120°–180° Opening Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | Full self-closing performance. | The hinge will not break, but the door will slam due to a lack of speed/latch control in this opening range. |
| Hydraulic | Full self-closing and hydraulic performance. | The internal hydraulic system will gradually be damaged from repeated use. |
Door Stopper: Another Way to Control the Door Swing
At Waterson, we also provide an optional stainless steel door stopper option to fully control the swing range. These door stoppers attach directly to the hinge barrel and do not require floor, wall, or overhead hardware.
The stop is a collar that fits over a hinge barrel. Most doors require door stops on top and bottom hinges. These can apply at the factory or job site. In the following picture, the door stop collar is a different finish from the door slab. This can easily fix per customer requests on the door stop finishes. Satin/Black/Brass/Bronze finishes available.
Two types of door stops:
- WP01: 90° door stop
- WP02: 120° door stop
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Please note that Waterson closer hinges start from a size of 4″x4″. If you’re in need of smaller self-closing hinges, we’d recommend checking out some other resources! Also, we only provide single acting closer hinges. Thank you.