Door dampers

Door dampers reliably prevent doors from slamming shut loudly. They close doors gently and quietly, while ensuring that they close completely and remain closed.

What are door dampers used for?

Door damper function

Closing sequence with door damper (V 1600)

Door damper function

Door dampers are usually installed centered on the upper edge of the door. The hook sits above it on the door frame. When the door opens, the hook automatically pushes the roller lever downwards, thereby tensioning the integrated spring.

Door damper function

If the door is thrown shut, the roller lever swings upwards when it reaches the hook, damping the movement of the door hydraulically. The damping is progressive, which means that doors are reliably and gently cushioned regardless of size and weight – even if they were thrown shut quickly.

Door damper function

After this, the door damper pulls the door completely shut and keeps it closed using the force of the spring.

Overview of door damper models

DICTATOR has a wide range of door damper models that offer a variety of applications. They vary in terms of installation options as well as visual appearance and finishes.

Below you can see an overview of our standard models for hinged doors (all other models can be found here):

Door damper VS 2000 satin chromed

VS 2000

Sleek yet robust design model

Deuropvanger 1600 mat verchroomd

V 1600

Versatile model with encased cylinder, also for use on fire doors

R 1400 satin chrome

R 1400

For installation on the push side of the door

Z 1000 zinc-plated web

Z 1000

The affordable basic model with visible cylinder

VS 2000V 1600R 1400Z 1000
Product pictureTürdämpfer VS 2000 mattverchromtTürdämpfer V 1600 mattverchromtTürdämpfer R 1400 mattverchromtTürdämpfer Z 1000 verzinkt
To the productTo the productTo the productTo the product
Door side for door damper's installationpull side**pull side**push side**pull side**
Position of door in relation to the frameoverlapping, flushoverlapping, flush, recessedoverlapping, flush, recessedoverlapping, flush, recessed
Door dampers' mounting position vertical, horizontal (20 N, 35 N, 50 N)vertical, horizontal (with special cylinder)vertical, horizontalvertical
Closing force (in N)20, 35, 50, 80, 11520, 50, 80, 11520, 35, 50, 8020, 50, 80
Door damper's designcompletely encasedencased cylinderencased cylindervisible cylinder
Stainless steelnoyesyesno
FinishesTürdämpfer VS 2000 Farben Miniatur
polished chrome, chromium-plated, white, grey, brown, black, more upon request

polished chrome, chromium-plated, stainless steel, white, grey, brown, black, more upon request
Türdämpfer R 1400 Farben Miniatur
polished chrome, chromium-plated, stainless steel, white, grey, brown, black
Türdämpfer Z 1000 Farben Miniatur
nickel-plated, zinc-plated

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about door dampers

Choosing a model

There are several key factors to take into account when choosing the force of the spring: 

  • The force required to bring the leaning door into the lock.
  • The installation position: the further away the door damper is installed from the hinges, the less spring force is required.

Measuring the required spring force:

If the door damper is installed on the closing edge, the force of the door damper must be greater than the manual force, i.e. the force required to push the door shut by hand. This force can be measured with the help of a spring scale/luggage scale or even with a bathroom scale in the area of the door handle.

However, you do not have to determine the spring strength on your own. Our technical customer service will be happy to help you select the right door damper – just contact us!

DICTATOR has a wide range of door damper models that allow many different applications. They differ in terms of installation options as well as appearance and surfaces.

We will be happy to help you choose the right model. Just contact us!

Here you have an overview of all standard models for hinged doors. (You can find all other models here)

VS 2000V 1600R 1400Z 1000
Product pictureTürdämpfer VS 2000 mattverchromtTürdämpfer V 1600 mattverchromtTürdämpfer R 1400 mattverchromtTürdämpfer Z 1000 verzinkt
To the productTo the productTo the productTo the product
Door side for door damper's installationpull side**pull side**push side**pull side**
Position of door in relation to the frameoverlapping, flushoverlapping, flush, recessedoverlapping, flush, recessedoverlapping, flush, recessed
Door dampers' mounting position vertical, horizontal (20 N, 35 N, 50 N)vertical, horizontal (with special cylinder)vertical, horizontalvertical
Closing force (in N)20, 35, 50, 80, 11520, 50, 80, 11520, 35, 50, 8020, 50, 80
Door damper's designcompletely encasedencased cylinderencased cylindervisible cylinder
Stainless steelnoyesyesno
FinishesTürdämpfer VS 2000 Farben Miniatur
polished chrome, chromium-plated, white, grey, brown, black, more upon request

polished chrome, chromium-plated, stainless steel, white, grey, brown, black, more upon request
Türdämpfer R 1400 Farben Miniatur
polished chrome, chromium-plated, stainless steel, white, grey, brown, black
Türdämpfer Z 1000 Farben Miniatur
nickel-plated, zinc-plated

* Push side and pull side of the door

** Installation position of the door in the frame

On overlapping doors, the door leaf sticks out the frame; on flush doors, the door leaf is flush with the frame; on recessed doors, the door leaf is sunk into the frame. For more details, see “Which hook do I need?”

There are three hooks of different lengths available for each of the V 1600, Z 1000 and H 1300 door dampers: 1009, 1011 and 1013. When selecting the hook, it is important to know if the door is flush with the frame on the side in which the door damper is installed, or whether it overlaps or it is recessed.

Montage V 1600 Haken

Flush doors

Hook 1009 is used for doors that are flush with the frame or up to 4 mm behind or 14 mm in front.

Overlapping doors

Hook 1013 is used for doors that stick 15 – 30 mm out of the frame.

Recessed doors

Hook 1011 is used for doors that are sunk between 5 mm and 20 mm into the frame.

We will be happy to assist you – just contact us!

Installing the door damper

DICTATOR offers door dampers for both the push side and the pull side of the door.

Installation on the pull side (opening side):

In the case of inward opening doors, the door damper is usually installed on the inside (pull side) (e.g. VS 2000V 1600H 1300).

Installation position on the door:

If possible, door dampers should be installed vertically and centered on the top edge of the door. Above the top edge of the door leaf, there must be at least 65 mm space for the hook of the VS 2000 and at least 82 mm for the V 1600.

In case of lack of space (e.g. if the door has a large glass panel or the space above the door is too small), certain models can also be installed horizontally on the closing edge. It must be taken into account that the closing force of the door damper is stronger the further away it is installed from the hinge.

Installation on the push side (closing side):

The door damper R 1400 is installed on the closing side of the door, on the closing edge – either vertically or horizontally.

We will be happy to help!
If there is not enough space for the installation or if you have any questions, please contact our technical customer service.

With the exception of our door damper V 1600F for fire doors and the Junior, the closing speed of all DICTATOR door dampers can be adjusted. However, the spring force and thus the closing force of the door damper will only be slightly impacted by this.

To change the closing speed, turn the adjustment screw as shown in the picture.

Türdämpfer Regulierung

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our technical customer support.

The models V 1600 / V 1600 F model may be used on fire and smoke doors on which its installation is permitted by the manufacturer. Depending on your country’s regulations, it is possible that the door damper may only be used on fire and smoke doors for which there is an existing approval that allows its installation. Please, check whether the installation is allowed according to your country’s regulations.

On many fire and smoke doors, it is necessary to use mounting plates for the installation of the door damper and the hook. Please check  which mounting plates you need for your particular door before ordering. Should you have any questions, we’ll be happy to help.

>> To the product

We will be happy to advise you if you have any questions – just contact us!

Door damper application areas

Door dampers on front doors and entrance doors

Door damper V 1600 on entrance door

in private and public buildings

Many front doors, entrance doors, or apartment doors – especially if they have an overhead door closer – slam shut very loudly. Other doors do not close completely (even if they have a door closer), and remain a little open, which can pose a safety risk if left unlocked. Door dampers intercept the slamming doors, guide them slowly into the lock and keep them safely closed. This way, they prevent a lot of hassle for all residents.

Recommended products: VS 2000V 1600R 1400

Door dampers for walk-in refrigerator doors

Door damper VS 2000 on fridge door

in food industry facilities with cold storage rooms

In many establishments like restaurant kitchens, butcher shops or bakeries, cold room doors are opened and closed a lot. In a hurry, people often don’t pay attention to whether the doors are completely closed, which can happen due to the door’s sealing. DICTATOR door dampers are used to make sure the door closes and thus prevent energy loss and, in the worst case, food deterioration. With them, the door can just be thrown shut and the door damper will makes sure that it closes complety and remais closed.

Recommended products: VS 2000V 1600

Door dampers for fire doors

Door damper V 1600F garage door

e.g. for interlocks in underground parkings, basements or car parks

In so-called fire control interlocks it often happens that one of the doors doesn’t close properly when the other one is closed due to a difference in air pressure. This is a major problem, because then there is no more fire protection. On the other hand, when one doors is open, the other often slams shut – which can be frequently heard throughout the building and can be a nuisance for the occupants. The door damper for fire doors ensures both silence and safely closed doors.

However, before installing it, it is necessay to check with your country’s regulations and the door manufacturer, whether an approval for the door damper is necessary.

Recommended products: V 1600 for fire doors

Door dampers in hotels and restaurants

Door damper V 1600 on hotel door

for entrance doors and room doors

Restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels are places where guests should not be disturbed by loud slamming doors. Door dampers make sure that doors always close quietly and reliably so that guests can fully enjoy their stay.

Recommended products: VS 2000V 1600R 1400