Have you ever seen a pivot door? They’re pretty cool. It’s safe to say if you install a pivot door in your home, you’re a modern, forward thinker. That’s all well and good, but are they practical? Are pivot doors right for your home? A pivot door is essentially a front door that rotates on a pivot box instead of on traditional side hinges. They’re perfect for large panels, gaining in popularity due to their wide, generous opening and simple, modern appearance that gels well with contemporary architecture.

You’ll find pivot doors installed in high-end custom homes as part of an emerging trend in urban building: encouraging a greater indoor/outdoor connection which in turn requires larger doors to ensure such a lifestyle.

Advantages of Pivot Doors

There are several benefits to installing a pivot door, in addition to its contemporary look, including:

• Available in larger sizes than are typically available in traditional doors.
• High-performance hardware offers smoother operation of panels much wider and taller than a traditional door.
• Operating hardware is adjustable in terms of traveling and closure speed depending on personal preferences.
• Seamless, streamlined look.
• Balanced panels that seem to operate independently of the frame.
• Panels can be built much wider, featuring square footage greater than a side-hinged door – in some cases up to nine feet wide and 13 feet tall.
• No frame is needed, with no need to damage the floor or walls.
• Larger clearance area than swinging doors.
• Offers stability for heavy doors or for those made out of fragile materials, such as glass.
• Requires less hardware with a much simpler design that other door types.
• Versatile aesthetic look that can be installed to blend in with a wall or kept flush with the wall yet noticeable.
• Less obtrusive due to cleaner lines.
• Can be used for entry doors, as well as interior doors for bathrooms, master suites and more.

Drawbacks of Pivot Doors

As with anything else, there are some drawbacks to pivot doors that you should keep in mind. One issue is warping. Because they are not restrained by hinges on one side to stabilize the door, the material can move over time. In addition, they swing on a point, top and bottom, providing no restraint to warping. While most pivot doors will remain stable, wood doors in particular can experience warping over the years. Most times, you won’t even notice the warping but it’s still something to think about.

If you have restrictions in your budget, pivot doors can put a dent in your expenses. That’s because they cost up to 30 percent more than a single door/sidelight combo and twice as expensive as a standard-width single door.

Despite the expense, though, you can’t deny the luxury factor that comes with pivot doors. If your budget allows and you have the space, a pivot door is a wise investment for any savvy homeowner.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Here at Dallas Door Designs, we’re always on top of the latest trends. That’s why we offer custom interior and exterior pivot doors to add a modern touch to any doorway. Our professionals will help you design, measure and install the perfect pivot door for your home and budget. Contact us today at 214-973-0373.