Why 120 Degree Door Opening Angle Is the Limit in Spring Hinges

“Can I use your self-closing hinges on a door that opens more than 120 degrees?”

It’s a question we’ve heard often—and it’s a fair one. In architectural hardware, the door opening angle is more than a measurement. It directly impacts spring tension, alignment integrity, and long-term performance. While almost self closing hinges can technically open past 120°, repeated overextension puts excess stress on the internal mechanism, weakens closing force, and shortens the hinge’s lifespan.

So why is 120 degree angle the limit, and what happens if you push beyond it? Let’s break it down.

Understanding the 120 Degree Door Opening Angle

Waterson self closing hinges are engineered to operate reliably up to 120 degrees. That’s not a limitation, but a performance standard. The 120° threshold is the result of carefully calibrated spring tension and internal tolerances that work together to deliver smooth closing action, alignment stability, and long-term durability.

While the hinge’s door opening clearance may be slightly beyond that in some cases, doing so repeatedly places added strain on the spring system. Therefore, staying within the intended range will ensure a consistent performance without compromising the product’s engineered lifespan.

What Happens If You Go Beyond 120 Degree 

“Can the hinge open beyond 120 degrees?”

Technically—yes. The self closing spring hinge can open slightly beyond that. But we do not recommend it for frequent use for these three reasons:

• Every degree beyond 120 increases stress on the spring mechanism.
• Overextension introduces asymmetric torque, especially under weight, which weakens the return force.
• Repeated swing past 120° causes premature wear and diminishes the self-closing function over time.

Although the hinge can physically swing farther in some cases, it’s not designed to sustain that added load long-term. That’s a performance compromise we advise against.

What If Your Design Calls for a 135° or 180° Swing

If your project requires a door opening hinge range beyond 120°—as seen in commercial storefronts, corridor transitions, or ADA-compliant turn spaces—Waterson self-closing spring hinges may not be the right fit.

In such cases, we recommend using a mechanical door closer or hinge system specifically engineered for wider swing angles. These systems may not offer built-in self-closing functionality, so be sure to align hardware specs with actual usage conditions—not just installation goals.

How to Stop Doors from Opening All the Way

If your project requires controlling the swing range, particularly to avoid wall impact or maintain code clearance, there’s a reliable solution available.

Waterson offers a door stopper, an optional add-on that mounts directly onto the hinge barrel. It’s engineered to prevent the door from swinging beyond a preset angle. Many clients use it to maintain the 120-degree door opening angle without relying on external floor or wall stops.

Using Hold Open Door Hinges to Keep Doors Open

Waterson self-closing hinges feature a hold open function that temporarily holds the door at a 90-degree position. This allows the door to remain open without additional hardware, which is useful for ventilation, loading, or foot traffic. The feature disengages with a light push, allowing the door to close automatically when swung below approximately 80 degrees.

However, please note the following limitations:

• The hold-open function is only active at 90 degrees.
• It does not stop the door from opening beyond 90 degrees.
• If the door frequently swings past 90°, the hold-open may fail to engage or slip under pressure.
• Always verify the door opening angle during specification to ensure compatibility with this function.

 

Door Opening Angle Is a Design Variable — Not an Afterthought

Hardware often gets selected late in the process. But the door opening angle should be part of your decision matrix from the beginning.

If your goal is long-term durability, compliance, and functional control, you need to consider:

• Hinge opening limits
• Installation clearance
• Accessory integration (like stoppers)
• And how often the door will be used or overextended

That’s the kind of upstream thinking that prevents downstream maintenance calls.

Waterson 90-120 Degree Opening Spring Door Hinges

Waterson heavy duty gate hinges combine the function of an overhead closer and a hinge into a single, sleek component—complete with optional hold-open and door-stop features. Designed for commercial openings, gates, and glass doors, these hinges are easy to install and adjust to meet ADA and ICC A117.1 standards for opening force, while ensuring quiet and secure closure. Crafted from durable stainless steel, they are NFPA 80 compliant, UL 3-hour fire-rated, and built to perform reliably in both interior and all-weather exterior environments. See all our features.

In addition to these performance advantages, Waterson offers flexible customization services. As a direct manufacturer, we can tailor hinge sizes, finishes, and especially hinge leaf designs to meet the specific structural needs of your doors. This makes our hinges an ideal solution for door manufacturers seeking custom options that integrate seamlessly with their existing frames.

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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.

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