What Is a Door Stay?
A door stay is a device that regulates the opening and closing speed of hinged doors, such as entrance doors, storage doors, or lids.
Hinged doors without assistance can open and close forcefully, causing loud noises and posing a risk of injury, especially if fingers get caught in the hinges.
In both residential and office environments, door stays are widely used because they provide resistance during opening and closing, enabling a slower, controlled movement of the door.
Uses of Door Stays
Door stays serve various purposes.
The side opening stay is a prevalent type, installed at the top of doors. It requires a bit of force to open, ensuring the door opens and closes slowly due to the resistance it provides.
Other door stay types include hydraulic or pneumatic stays, used in drawers for slow closing, and stays for upward-opening doors that can hold the door open at any angle.
Principle of Door Stays
Door stays operate using hydraulic, pneumatic, or spring mechanisms, all designed to generate resistance for slow opening and closing of doors or other objects.
When choosing a stay, it’s crucial to consider the resistance it can generate. If the stay’s resistance doesn’t match the force required for opening and closing the door, it won’t function effectively.
For example, installing a weak stay on a heavy door will render it ineffective due to the door’s strong turning force.
The door’s turning force is known as torque. To ensure stable operation, a door stay’s torque must be greater than the door’s torque. If the stay’s torque is less, the door won’t open and close slowly, even with the stay installed.
While door stays can be made of various materials, including aluminum, it’s advisable to choose a rust-resistant stainless steel stay for locations frequently exposed to moisture, like outdoor settings.