Dynasty Hardware Door Closer, Grade 1 Heavy Duty Commercial Hydraulic Closer, Self-Closing, Adjustable Spring Size 1-6, ADA Compliant, Surface Mount, Sprayed Aluminum, Series 8500

Why I chose the Dynasty 8500 closer

I needed a reliable closer for a busy aluminum storefront door that sees a constant stream of foot traffic and occasional wind gusts. The requirements were straightforward: Grade 1 durability, ADA compliance, flexible mounting options, and enough adjustability to fine-tune behavior without turning the doorway into a science experiment. The Dynasty 8500 closer checked those boxes on paper, and after living with it, it has earned its spot on my short list for commercial-grade closers that don’t demand an inflated budget.

Build and design

The Dynasty 8500 is a surface-mounted, non-handed hydraulic closer with a cast-aluminum body and a sprayed aluminum finish. It’s a full-size, heavy-duty unit with a 12-3/4-inch body and 12-inch screw-hole spacing. That spacing matters: it dropped into a prep that previously housed a Norton 8500 without new holes, which saved a lot of time and kept the door looking clean.

It supports regular arm, top-jamb, or parallel-arm installation on both metal and wood doors. That flexibility is ideal for mixed inventories in commercial buildings, especially when you’re standardizing on one closer model across different openings. The closer is UL listed for fire door assemblies and meets ADA requirements, and it includes back-check plus separate valves for closing and latching speed. Spring power is adjustable from size 1 to 6, so you can match it to a wide range of door widths and weights.

The sprayed aluminum finish is practical and unobtrusive. It doesn’t try to be jewelry; it just disappears into the hardware package on a typical storefront or hollow-metal door.

Installation experience

Installation was straightforward, but this isn’t a “no-instructions-needed” product. The included templates cover the three mounting configurations, and it’s important to commit to one and follow that section closely. The most time-consuming part was confirming arm orientation and pre-load for a parallel-arm mount, which is always the fiddly bit with any closer. Once that was sorted, the rest felt routine.

A few notes from the install:

• The 12-inch horizontal screw spacing makes it an easy replacement for many full-size commercial closers. If you’re swapping out a failed unit from a major brand, measure your existing holes—you may get lucky with a direct fit.
• Back-check and speed valves are accessible and clearly labeled, but small adjustments go a long way. Plan on multiple test cycles with quarter-turn increments.
• For hollow-metal doors or fire-rated openings, use through-bolts and appropriate fasteners per code and manufacturer guidance. Don’t rely on sheet metal screws alone.
• Take time to verify the arm geometry for your mounting configuration; it pays off in cleaner operation and consistent latching.

If you’ve installed closers before, nothing here will surprise you. If this is your first, allow extra time and resist the temptation to crank valves wide open or completely shut; hydraulic closers reward patience.

Adjustability and tuning

The adjustability is where the Dynasty 8500 earns its keep. Between spring size 1–6, back-check, closing speed, and latching speed, you can dial in behavior for nuanced conditions—like a vestibule that needs a gentle sweep but a strong latch, or an exterior door that needs a firm close to overcome gasketing and a stubborn strike.

My setup:

• Spring power: I bumped it up a notch to handle an exterior door with occasional wind and weatherstripping. Being able to add a little muscle without resorting to a higher-power fixed closer is invaluable.
• Closing speed: Set for a smooth, controlled sweep from fully open to near-latch.
• Latching speed: Slightly faster for the last 10–15 degrees to ensure a reliable latch.
• Back-check: Moderately firm to keep the door from being thrown open into the stop in gusty conditions, without turning the last few degrees of opening into a shoulder workout.

Once tuned, the closer runs quietly and consistently. The latching feels positive but not aggressive, and the door doesn’t “bounce” at the strike. I let it run for several weeks in daily service before writing this, and the settings have held steady.

Performance in daily use

In a high-traffic environment, the Dynasty 8500 behaves like a proper Grade 1 closer should. The hydraulic action is smooth across the sweep, and the arm geometry yields efficient leverage throughout the arc. Back-check does its job without being dramatic, and there’s enough spring power on tap to deal with weather seals and minor misalignment.

From an accessibility standpoint, it’s possible to tune the opening resistance and closing speed to meet ADA requirements while still achieving reliable latching—something some budget closers struggle with. That’s often a balancing act; here, the wide spring range helps you find the sweet spot without compromising on safety or convenience.

Noise is minimal—no wheeze, clunk, or metallic chatter. Operation has been predictable, which is exactly what you want from a closer: you stop noticing it because it just works.

What could be better

• Documentation: The templates are fine, but the manual doesn’t spend much time explaining how each valve impacts door behavior in different scenarios. If you’re new to closers, you may wish for clearer guidance on sequencing adjustments and diagnosing symptoms (e.g., door slams the last few inches vs. door won’t latch). The hardware itself is capable; the instructions assume some installer familiarity.
• Length and profile: This is a full-size commercial body. Most doors will accommodate it, but small interior doors or tight frames might be better served by a compact closer.
• Finish options: The sprayed aluminum finish is practical and common, but if you’re matching specialty finishes across a project, you may need to accept a mismatch or look elsewhere.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth noting for specific project requirements and for less-experienced installers.

Tips for dialing it in

• Start with all valves in the factory position and the spring on the lower end of the range. Increase spring power only as needed.
• Make adjustments in small increments—quarter turns at most—then cycle the door several times after each change.
• Set closing speed first, then latching speed, and finally back-check. Revisit earlier settings if you introduce a change later; these adjustments can interact.
• Don’t use back-check as a hold-open device. It’s a cushion, not a stop, and using it to hold the door open can damage the closer and may violate fire codes.
• Expect seasonal tweaks on exterior doors. Temperature affects hydraulic fluid, and gasketing can stiffen in cold weather.

Where it fits best

The Dynasty 8500 lands squarely in the commercial-grade category: offices, retail storefronts, schools, and multi-unit residential common areas. It’s overkill for a bedroom door, but right at home on high-traffic entries. The combination of non-handed design and multiple mounting options makes it a good stock item for facility teams who want one model to cover most scenarios.

If you’re replacing an older full-size closer—especially one with 12-inch hole spacing—the 8500 is a pragmatic choice that keeps the door prep clean and preserves the aesthetics of the opening.

The bottom line

The Dynasty 8500 closer delivers where it counts: robust build, broad adjustability, clean operation, and the right certifications for commercial use (Grade 1, UL fire door listing, ADA compliance). It’s not the most hand-holding product for first-time installers, and it’s physically large, but once installed and tuned, it performs with the consistency you want in a public-facing doorway.

Recommendation: I recommend the Dynasty 8500 for commercial and heavy-use applications where durability and fine-tuning matter. It’s a dependable, flexible closer that balances accessibility and security without drama. If you’re comfortable with basic closer setup—or you’re hiring a pro—you’ll get Grade 1 performance, sensible adjustability, and a straightforward installation, especially as a replacement for other full-size units. If you need a compact closer for light-duty interior doors or you want extensive, beginner-friendly documentation, there are better fits; otherwise, this is a solid, long-term choice.