7 Impressive Pivoting Doors to Make a Grand Entrance!

The most important feature about a building is its functionality in terms of circulation—pivoting doors, with their endless advantages, satisfy this requirement and enhance both the physical and visual accessibility of space. Pivot doors are extremely functional, this is why they are mostly found in commercial and industrial buildings where the higher traffic is, however, they are aesthetically pleasing enough to be used in all other types of spaces.

The way they operate makes them perfect for carrying really heavy weights and doors larger than usual while still being opened with just one finger—all so you can make a grand entrance! Just like you found all your questions regarding folding doors answered, we have got your back with everything you need to know about pivot doors; their advantages, the way they operate, and their various uses and materials.

What is a Pivoting Door?

A pivot door is a door that swings and rotates around a vertical axis. They are different from regularly hinged doors in terms of where the hinges are placed; in pivot doors, the hinges are attached offset from the door’s side face, whether that is a few centimeters from it or right at the door’s vertical central axis.

How does a Pivot Door Work?

As previously mentioned, a pivot door’s hinges are located above below the door rather than at one side of the door’s frame. Placing the hinges on a vertical axis allows the weight of the door to be distributed directly to the floor rather than transmitted to the door’s jamb. This way of weight distribution allows the hinges to carry heavier doors and still allow them to open and swing smoothly and in either direction.

What are the Advantages of Pivoting Doors?

• Their aesthetic and smooth operation helps make a design statement in all types of spaces.
• They can be optional space dividers hence giving more than one function for a room and making it more flexible.
• If designed right, they can be sealed enough to ensure heat and sound insulation creating a comfortable atmosphere; this can especially be beneficial in residential and office buildings. Moreover, this prevents dust and dirt from entering the room.
• Installing a pivot door is kind of simple work that does not require many tools or experience; once the door’s package arrives, it just needs to be secured and that is all!
• Pivot doors can be real space-savers—their special operation mechanism and the fact that they can open either direction gives additional space to the room. Because of this feature, they are perfect for tiny homes (these are getting popular now!)
• The opening mechanism of pivoting doors allows smooth circulation with is perfect for people with movement hardships or disabilities
• One more simple but great feature: it works silently!

What is Pivoting Doors Made of?

Pivoting doors can be made of almost any type of material. However, mostly the materials used are wood, metal, glass, and plastic, but heavy materials such as marble are possibilities as well.

What are the Types of Pivoting Doors?

There is more than one way to classify pivoting doors—in terms of operation, they can mainly be put down as offset doors or center hung doors. The former has a pivot point that is offset from the door’s side face and is used on single-acting doors, while the latter’s pivot point is positioned in the center of the pivoting door’s thickness making it applicable to single and double-acting doors as it can swing in either direction.

Pivoting Doors Types According to Use

• Front Doors

CM House | Bernardes Arquitetura

Designed as a leisure retreat in a residential condominium in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, CM House was created taking into account the land’s visuals and integration with the landscaping. The access to the residence is through pivoting doors with greenish copper sheets, resulting from the chemical oxidation process of the material.

• Pivoting Partitions

Vaga Space for Art and Knowledge | Mezzo Atelier

The main atrium, an extension of the street with service and store area inserted in a wooden exhibition wall, opens to the gallery – the presentation space, with a foyer and two exhibition rooms that can accommodate projects in various disciplines, such as a focus on visual arts, through 4 pivoting doors that leave space to draw different ways to circulate.

• Commercial Doors

Ritual Room | goCstudio

The use of a similar material palette preserved and built upon the strong aesthetic developed in the first yoga space. Bleached LVL rafters above and oak floors below give a familiar rhythm to the space, and a full-height pivot door recalls the large sliding door of the first Ritual House of Yoga.

Pivoting Doors Types According to Material

• Glass Pivoting Doors

Aviv House | CO-LAB Design Office

Casa Aviv is a modern private home located in Tulum, Mexico. The double-height living space extends out into the pool and garden through floor-to-ceiling pivoting glass doors, blending interior and exterior in one integrated space filled with natural light and garden views.

• Wood Pivoting Doors

Mango Bay Resort Spa | P.I Architects

Mango Bay resort is a well-known place on Phu Quoc Island. The wooden louver doors/windows with pivoting system help control the quantity of natural light accessing the inner space, depending on the moment and the mood of the guests.

• Aluminum Pivoting Doors

Framed House | Luis Gomez-Siu Design Studio

The new design of the Living/Dining/Kitchen area and relocation of the existing Laundry services enabled a more efficient layout which was enhanced by two major decisions: reclaiming the roof space by demolishing the existing flat ceiling and opening up the rear facade of the house, incorporating new pivot doors to the garden for maximum opening area.

• Iron Pivoting Doors

E.Y House | Architect Oshir Asaban

The six iron pivot doors, each 3 meters high, are closed for privacy and concentration and define the work space. The inner division of each door consists of empty space through which air enters, and space with striped glass that brings natural light into the office.