A door buffer is a small damping component made of rubber, silicone or soft plastic that prevents an opening door — or its hardware — from striking a wall, piece of furniture or the door frame. The buffer absorbs the impact and also keeps the door from rebounding.
Types of door buffers
There are several types, each suited to a particular situation:
- Floor buffer — screwed to the floor; stops the door at a fixed position
- Wall buffer — screwed to the wall at the height where the door handle would otherwise hit the surface
- Stick-on buffer — a self-adhesive disc or bumper for light-duty applications, such as cupboard doors
- Hinge buffer — a rubber cap between the leaves of the hinge that limits the opening angle
- Magnetic buffer — combines a buffer with a magnet so the door is held in the open position
- Threshold silencer (door damper) — a rubber block inside the door rebate that softens the closing impact
Why fit one
A door buffer is fitted for a range of reasons:
- Protect finishes — plaster, wallpaper and paintwork around the door handle
- Protect the door itself — when the leaf could swing into furniture or pipework
- Sound damping — reduce slamming in quiet spaces
- Safety — prevent sharp rebounds that could hurt children or pets
- Hold-open function — for magnetic versions
Installation
The correct placement depends on the type:
- Wall buffer — mark where the handle hits the wall and mount the buffer just above or below that point
- Floor buffer — at least 15 mm clear of the door, on a flat surface, and not in the main walking line
- Magnetic buffer — comes in two parts: a base fixed to floor or wall and a striking plate on the door, aligned to within a few millimetres
- Stick-on buffer — degrease the surface before applying to maximise adhesion
Materials
Common materials include:
- EPDM rubber — durable, UV-resistant, suitable for outdoor use
- Silicone — soft and colourless, ideal indoors
- TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) — a mix of plastic and rubber
- Felt — for light use on furniture
Related terms
- Door stop
- Door closer
- Hardware
- Hinge
- Door
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