Waterson Closer Hinges Installation: Expert Tips, Successful Setup

Installing Waterson Closer Hinges is as simple as a standard door hinge installation. Just measure the door, mark the spots with a pencil, drill the holes, and screw them onto the door and frame. For a successful installation, consider the door’s size and weight, and have a screwdriver, drill, hammer, and tape at hand. Here are a few common questions and answers to help you get started.

How many self closing hinges per door do you need?

Both door height and door weight determine how many Waterson hinges a door needs. Height sets the minimum: a standard 7 ft door takes at least three hinges, and an 8 ft door takes four. Weight can raise that number, since a 2-hinge set carries up to 150 lbs, a 3-hinge set up to 260 lbs, and a 4-hinge set up to 330 lbs. Check both, and use whichever count is higher.

For the full charts and instructions, see How Many Self Closing Hinges Per Door.

How to Install Waterson Self Closing Hinges

To install Waterson self-closing hinges, here is what you need and how to do it step by step.

1. What Comes in the Box

Your Waterson package includes everything you need for installation:

  • Waterson closer hinges
  • Standard hex wrenches (3mm and 5mm)
  • Cross head self-tapping screws (1-1/4″)
  • Flat head machine screws (1/2″)
  • Spreader bar, which props the hinge leaves open for easier installation
  • Fire-rated stainless steel shims
Spreaded Bar and Metal Door Shim

2. How to Read Your Waterson Hinge Set and Install in the Right Order

Important: One Set = One Door

Waterson hinges are sold as a set, and all hinges in a set must be installed together on the same door (top, middle, and bottom hinge order). Do not split a set across different doors or mix hinges from different sets. If you don’t follow the rule, the self-closing performance may not be what you expect.

For example, K51M-450-B3 is a full mortise 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ hydraulic hybrid set with three hinges. The label DS.HA.SA gives the order on the door: DS (double closing force) at the top, HA (hydraulic damping and swing speed) in the middle, and SA (closing force and swing speed) at the bottom. Each hinge is also marked with its model code on the leaf, so you can match it to the label during installation.

Can I install the hinges in reverse order?

Yes. You can flip the top and bottom hinges, for example, installing SA.HA.DS instead of DS.HA.SA, and the set will still work normally.
However, our adjustment guide follows the order printed on the label, so we recommend installing the hinges in that order to make adjustment easier.

How to Read Your Waterson Hinge Set

3. Step-by-Step Installation and Adjustment

Step 1: Install the hinges at factory settings. Mount the hinges on the door and frame with the screws provided. Keep every hinge at its factory setting: spring tension at the (N) position and the mechanism disengaged. Make sure the door swings freely and latches by hand before you adjust anything.

Step 2: Set the spring tension. Using the hex wrench, increase the spring tension one number at a time until the door closes and latches on its own from 20°. Keep the settings similar on all spring hinges, since tension adds up across the set.

Step 3: Adjust swing and latch speed. Adjust the swing speed (A) first, then the latch speed (A1). Turn (+) for a faster close and (-) for a slower close. If your set has hold open, adjust the hold-open control to hold the door at 90°. If your set is hydraulic, enable the hydraulic damper following the adjustment guide for your model.

Step 4: Lock in your settings. Tighten the speed lock-in screws with the 3mm hex wrench so your settings stay fixed. Each hinge has two lock-in screws; tighten at least one.

Step 5: Fine-tune. If the door slams, decrease the swing speed, latch speed, or tension. If the door does not latch, increase them. Make small changes each time, and change spring tension only one number at a time.

For detailed steps for your specific set, see our Adjustment guides.

Contact Our Installation Support Team

If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties during installation, our team can help you install and adjust your hinges online via a call. Please fill out the form below with your contact information, hinge set code, and the current status of your door.

Our support team will review your request and reach out as soon as possible to schedule an installation support appointment.