Are the door closers absolutely needed for storm door?

Question

My storm door closer cracked my door jamb and the storm door still opens fine.

And I wonder whether I need replace my door closer? If I don't , is there any bad effect?

Answer 1

The closer has a few purposes:

• it closes the door so that you don't have to remember to every time. It will also pull the door closed if it opens accidentally (for example, if the wind catches the door).
• it prevents the door from moving too fast, and usually prevents it from opening past about 90 degrees. (Anecdote: I know someone who didn't have a closer on his storm door. The door opened so that it would catch the prevailing winds -- which are often strong -- in his area, but he never had problems until one time he forgot to close it and it swung open, hit the wall next to the door and knocked out a pane of glass. With a closer, it might not have been able to move fast enough or far enough to do any damage.)
• it provides a second point of attachment to the door frame for the side of the door that opens, which helps to hold the door if the wind catches it.

Does the door close securely, and will you always remember to close it securely? If not, I'd say you need the closer.