Is your door fitted with an adjustable roller catch too easy or too difficult to open?
No worries! As their name suggests, adjustable door roller catches are quick and easy to adjust. And we’re here to show how to adjust a roller catch in a matter of seconds with nothing more than a screwdriver.
Let’s crack on.
Table of contents
- What is a door roller catch?
- How to adjust a roller catch
- How to adjust a roller ball catch
- Final thoughts
What is a door roller catch?
Door roller catches feature a spring-loaded roller inside a cylinder, with the roller fitting plate recessed into the door and the sticker plate recessed into the door jamb. This means that, unlike with a mortice latch, you don’t need a door handle to open the door.
As a result, roller catchers are a simple, versatile solution suitable for many types of internal doors, cupboard doors and kitchen cabinets. They’re particularly handy when you have to deal with a large gap between the door frame and the door.
How to adjust a roller catch
Most roller door catch solutions in the UK have a small opening or slot on one side of the nylon roller. Once you’ve found it, simply insert the screwdriver and push the roller into the case.
Then, turn clockwise to make the roller stick out a bit more or anti-clockwise to reduce it. Most models have plus and minus signs on each side to make it easier for you.
Alternatively, some models are adjustable from the back. So, you’ll need to remove the roller assembly first.
Yet a third type of roller door catch comes with standard adjustment screws above or below the barrel. To adjust them, turn the screws right to tighten or left to loosen. Make sure you turn each screw a quarter of a turn at a time. Then, open and close the door to check. This can be a somewhat delicate process, so be patient.
How to adjust a roller ball catch
A roller ball door catch, also known as a Bales catch, is similar to a roller catch, except it utilises a spring-loaded ball rather than a roller. You’ll typically have to remove it from the door before you can adjust it.
Here’s what you need to do:
Unscrew the cover plate, remove the door latch and catch. If you want to make the ball catch recede so it’s easier to open the door, turn the externally threaded section of the ball catch clockwise. Conversely, turn it counterclockwise if you’d like it to extend further to close the door properly.
In addition, you can increase the pressure necessary to keep the door closed by rotating the non-threaded section of the adjustable ball catch clockwise or decrease the pressure by rotating it counterclockwise so it’s easier to open the door.
Now, re-install the ball catch and open and close the door to make sure it’s working smoothly.
That’s it! You’re done!
Final thoughts
Door roller catches are an elegant, convenient solution for many internal doors. Fitting a door latch and adjusting it is a simple enough task. What’s more, there are plenty of different models, styles and materials you can choose from.
And now it’s over to you:
Have you tried adjusting your door roller catchers yourself?
Let us know in the comments below.
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