Intrigued by the idea of a pivot entry door? We don't blame you. A pivot door is a striking choice for homeowners who want to make a grand impression. Whether you’re remodeling your home or building a new one, pivot doors can help you create a more beautiful and functional space. Here’s everything you need to know about pivot entry doors, including dimensions, hardware recommendations, and installation tips.
What is a Pivot Door?
Our luxurious Cambria Pivot Door.
A pivot door is a type of door that turns on a pivot hinge rather than the traditional side hinges. This hinge is typically located closer to the mid point of the door frame, allowing the door to swing open from a central point. The result? A modern, sophisticated look with hardware that’s virtually invisible. Pivot doors are key for creating a clean, contemporary look.
But striking visual impact isn’t the only benefit of a pivot entry door. Pivot doors are known for their ability to handle large door panels, making them a popular choice for grand entrances and expansive spaces. Their unique design also allows for smooth operation. A pivot door says “luxury” in the way it moves.
How to Install a Pivot Door
Installing a pivot door involves several key steps. While it’s always recommended to hire a professional for precise installation, understanding the process can help set you up for success:
- Preparation: Measure your door frame carefully. Our pivot doors come pre-hung as standard, and we don’t recommend trying to install a pivot door that doesn’t come with its own door frame (also called a door jamb).
- Frame Installation: Install the pivot door frame securely. This is crucial as it needs to support the weight of the door.
- Pivot Installation: Pivot hinges should be installed in exact alignment to ensure smooth operation. Fortunately, our pivot doors come with the pivot hinge test-fitted and pre-installed, so that all you need to do is engage the pin in the top pivot and adjust the bottom pivot.
- Door Installation: Hang the door on the pivot. Make sure it swings evenly and doesn’t drag or bind.
- Adjustments: Make final adjustments to ensure the door fits perfectly within the frame and operates smoothly. In some cases, this is also when you adjust settings like door closing speed and hydraulic back check (which prevents the door from slamming). Once you've made all these adjustments, then install your handle set hardware.
What's the Largest a Pivot Main Entry Door Can Be?
Our best-selling Peninsula Pivot Door.
Pivot doors offer remarkable flexibility in size, because of how gravity acts on the pivot hinge as opposed to regular hinges (to simplify: you can make them much heavier and larger). Depending on your manufacturer and the strength of the frame, pivot doors can reach impressive dimensions. Typically, a pivot entry door can be as large as 12 feet tall and 6 feet wide. This is the maximum size for our pivot doors. As you can imagine, doors this size serve major drama. However, you should check that your home’s structural integrity can support a door of this magnitude. Even if you don't want a super large door, we recommend erring on the wider and taller side. That's because pivot doors need to be a little bit wider, since the hinge is set towards the center of the door frame, rather than on the door edge like standard hinges. A wider pivot door also hints at its different functionality before you've even used it.
What Are the Different Types of Pivot Door Hinges, and What Kind Should I Use?
The FritsJurgens M+ pivot.
Pivot door hinges come in various types, including:
Top and Bottom Pivot Hinges: These are the most common and are ideal for large, heavy doors. They support the weight of the door from both the top and bottom, ensuring smooth operation.
Turnstile pivot:A turnstile pivot doesn’t offer customizations like latch control or door closure speed control. You’re probably familiar with turnstile pivots as they’re used for revolving doors found in hotels and office buildings. (Yes, the ones you used to be afraid of as a kid!)
Single action pivots: This pivot will operate the door in one direction only.
Double action pivots: This pivot will operate the door so it swings in both directions.
We use the FritsJurgens M+ pivot because it has a robust weight rating as well as controls that make the door more user friendly. You can control the door closure speed, hydraulic back check, and enable latch control to make sure the door closes—always.
Do I Need an Electronic Deadbolt for a Pivot Door?
An electronic deadbolt can be an excellent addition to a pivot door, especially for exterior applications. It's not only convenient, it also boosts security. A smart lock allows you to control access to your home with a keypad or smartphone. Our smart locks from Emtek come in a range of sleek, modern designs.
Do Exterior Pivot Doors Have Weatherstripping?
Yes, exterior pivot doors come with weatherstripping. At least, ours do! Weatherstripping is essential for maintaining energy efficiency, preventing drafts, and protecting against the elements. It helps ensure that your door seals tightly when closed, providing a barrier against weather and temperature fluctuations. We also fit our pivot entry doors with a brush sweep for even more weather protection.
Conclusion
Pivot entry doors offer a stunning and functional option for homeowners looking to make a statement. If you love modern design, or want an entryway with drama, pivot doors should be your first port of call.
Check out our collection of solid wood, made-to-order pivot door designs.
Leave a comment (all fields required)