Key Specifications of Waterson Soft Close Door Hinges
- Door Height: Up to 6 ft (2 pcs) / 7 ft (3 pcs) / 8 ft (4 pcs)
- Door Weight: Up to 150 lbs (2 pcs) / 260 lbs (3 pcs) / 330 lbs (4 pcs, fire rated models)
- Door Thickness: 1 ⅜" to 2 ¼" depending on hinge size
- Hinge Sizes: 4x4, 4.5x4.5, 5x5, 6x6 full mortise
- Material: Stainless Steel SS304, SS316 marine grade available on selected models
- Finish: Satin Stainless Steel (US32D), Flat Black (US19), Satin Brass (US4), Dark Satin Bronze (695). Custom finishes available
- Type: Hydraulic hybrid soft closing (spring + hydraulic damper)
- Features: Fire Rated (B models), Hold Open at 90° (D models)
- Application: Interior and exterior doors in residential and commercial buildings, including bedroom, bathroom, stall, fire-rated, and heavy commercial doors
What Are Soft Close Door Hinges?
A soft close door hinge combines two mechanisms in one hinge. A spring provides the closing force, and a hydraulic damper controls the closing speed, so the door shuts on its own but never slams. Because both functions are built into the hinge, you can replace your existing butt hinges and skip the overhead door closer entirely. Waterson calls this a hydraulic hybrid hinge, designed for both residential and commercial doors.
Watch this Soft Close Door Hinges video to see how it works.
How to Choose the Right Soft Close Hinge
Step 1: Choose the number of hinges by door size
- Doors up to 6 ft and 150 lbs: use 2 hinges
- Doors up to 7 ft and 260 lbs: use 3 hinges
- Doors up to 8 ft and 330 lbs: use 4 hinges
Always replace every hinge on the door with the same model so the closing force stays balanced.
Step 2: Choose the function
- Fire-rated doors (stairwells, hotel rooms, corridors): choose B models, tested to UL standards for 3-hour fire door assemblies
- Doors that sometimes need to stay open (bathrooms, stalls, French doors, courtroom gates): choose D models with built-in hold-open at 90°
Step 3: Choose the size and material
- Standard interior doors (1 ⅜" to 1 ¾"): 4x4 or 4.5x4.5
- Thick or heavy commercial doors (1 ¾" to 2 ¼"): 5x5 or 6x6
- Frames with 5/8" radius corners: -58R models (standard or zigzag)
- Coastal, pool, or salt air environments: SS316 marine grade models
Need help matching hinges to your door? Request a quotation or call 770.767.3525.
Why Choose Waterson Over Standard Residential Soft Close Hinges?
Most residential soft close hinges are made for light interior doors. Waterson soft close hinges are built for heavier and more demanding doors, which is why they cost more (around $143 to $154 per hinge depending on the set). Here is what you get:
- One product instead of two: a set of Waterson hinges replaces both your standard hinges and an overhead closer, with nothing visible on the door
- On-site adjustment: spring tension, closing speed, and latch speed can all be fine-tuned with a hex wrench
- Commercial-grade material: SS304 stainless steel, with SS316 available for coastal and wet areas
- Fire rated options: B models are tested to UL standards for 3-hour fire door assemblies
- 3-year warranty [verify] and direct support from our hinge specialists
Soft Close vs Self Closing Hinges: Which Do You Need?
Soft closing hinges (hydraulic hybrid) use a spring plus a hydraulic damper. The oil-based damper controls the closing speed, so wind or a hard push cannot slam the door. Best for bedrooms, offices, bathrooms, fire doors, and any area where noise matters. Supports doors up to 330 lbs with a 4-hinge set.
Self closing hinges (mechanical) use spring force only. They are built for strength and high frequency use, with selected heavy-duty models supporting doors up to 440 lbs [verify]. Best for very heavy doors and harsh outdoor conditions where slam protection is less important.
Simple rule: if your main goal is stopping slamming and noise, choose soft close. If you need maximum strength for very heavy doors, see our Commercial Self Closing Door Hinges.
Watch the self close vs soft close door hinges demonstration to see the difference.
Types of Waterson Soft Close Door Hinges
K51M B3/B4: Soft Close Fire Door Hinges
Designed for fire-rated doors, this series combines spring closing with hydraulic damping and is tested to UL standards for 3-hour fire door assemblies. Ideal for stairwells, hotel rooms, and commercial fire doors that need quiet closing and strict compliance.
K51M D3/D4: Soft Close Hinges with Hold-Open
Includes a built-in hold-open function that keeps the door open at 90° when needed, then closes softly once released. Ideal for bathroom and stall doors, French doors, and courtroom gates where occasional hands-free access is helpful.
SS316 Marine Grade Soft Close Hinges
Same soft closing performance in 316 stainless steel for coastal homes, pool barrier doors, and areas exposed to salt air or moisture.
Where to Use Soft Close Door Hinges
Bedroom and interior doors: stop doors from banging shut at night or in drafty hallways. See Soft Closing Bedroom Door Hinges.
Bathrooms and stalls: doors close fully every time for privacy, without the noise. See Bathroom Door Hinges Soft Closing and Soft Close Stall Door Hinges.
Fire doors: B models bring fire-rated doors back to latch at a controlled speed. See Fire Rated Door Hinges.
Commercial and high-traffic doors: offices, clinics, and hotels where doors open constantly and slamming damages frames over time.
Exterior and coastal doors: hydraulic damping helps prevent wind-driven slamming, and SS316 models resist corrosion. See 316 Stainless Steel Hinges.
Looking for glass door hinges? See our Hydraulic Glass Door Hinges.
How to Adjust Soft Close Door Hinges
Each hinge has labeled adjustment ports and uses 3mm and 5mm hex wrenches:
- Turn the S port to set spring tension (closing force)
- Use A and A1 to set swing speed and latch speed
- Enable H1 for hydraulic control
- Adjust the damper level with the H2 port
- Tighten the lock screws after setting
For step-by-step instructions and diagrams, see the Waterson Adjustment Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my regular door hinges with soft close hinges?
Yes. Waterson soft close hinges are full mortise hinges in standard sizes (4x4, 4.5x4.5, 5x5, 6x6), so they fit the same mortise as your existing hinges. Replace all hinges on the door with the same model so the closing force stays balanced.
How many soft close hinges do I need per door?
Use 2 hinges for doors up to 6 ft and 150 lbs, 3 hinges for doors up to 7 ft and 260 lbs, and 4 hinges for doors up to 8 ft and 330 lbs.
Do I still need a door closer with soft close hinges?
No. Waterson soft close hinges provide both the self-closing force and the speed control of an overhead closer, built into the hinge.
Are soft close door hinges fire rated?
B models are tested to UL standards for 3-hour fire door assemblies. D models with hold-open are not intended for fire doors [verify].
Do soft close hinges work on exterior doors?
Yes. The hydraulic damper helps prevent wind from slamming the door. For coastal or pool areas, choose SS316 marine grade models.
Can a soft close door stay open?
Yes, with D models. They hold the door open at 90° and close softly once released.
How much do soft close door hinges cost?
Waterson soft close hinge sets start at $307.40 for 2 hinges, $440.59 for 3 hinges, and $573.80 for 4 hinges. Contractors and bulk buyers can request a quotation.