While steadily gaining in popularity, pivot doors have been around for a very long time. Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome all boasted versions of pivot doors in their architecture. The current pivot door technology we see in the U.S. was adopted from Europe about 60 years ago. While having been introduced to the U.S. more than half a century ago, they haven’t gained popularity until quite recently, but are now one of the most popular design trends for luxury home designs. The rapidly growing trend of pivot doors, especially as a front entry door combined with innovative technology, has created a sense of newness around these beautiful doors.
If you’re a remodeler, architect or builder and are considering installing pivot doors in your next project, this article will cover all the questions you may have about these doors, so you can make an informed and aware decision.
Are there benefits to installing pivot doors over other types of doors?
Pivot doors are truly all about style. These spectacularly bold and non-traditional doors take the indoor/outdoor lifestyle to the next level. One of the show-stopping elements to the pivot doors are the capabilities to achieve dramatic sides, as they eliminate side hinges and enable panels to be installed. When you design doors with luxury and grandiosity in mind, performance becomes a concern. However, when you design a door with traditional hinges, the limitation is often sizing. Using pivot doors can allow you to exceed the limitations of hinge doors when it comes to the ability to design in size, performance and style, so you can meet the design dreams of our customers.
Where are pivot doors most popular? Is this to do with climate, or aesthetics?
The popularity of pivot doors here in the U.S. began in California. With recent advancements in pivot door technology, particularly to performance capabilities enabling pivot doors to operate in different climates, they have continued to grow in popularity beyond the West.
Is there a home design style where pivot doors are most common?
Pivot doors are most commonly in contemporary, luxury homes, where the flexibly of design and size that pivot doors offer are important and appealing. Contemporary design continues to grow in favorability each year among homeowners, architects and builders. Layered lighting and an emphasis on natural light are pillars of contemporary design and pivot doors can be a great match to this design style thanks to the expansive glass panels and narrow sight-lines they allow— thus creating light-filled living spaces that help bring the vision of modern design to life.
What applications are pivot doors most commonly used for – exterior or interior?
Historically, pivot doors have been most utilized in interior spaces. However, one of the largest rising trends in big doors nowadays is the use of these expansive doors in exterior facing applications, primarily in front entranceways. The clean lines, oversized glass panels and smooth movement of the pivot door create a show-stopping architectural moment while offering increased natural light and connection to the outdoors.
In collaboration with:
- Brian Quick, Product Manager, Doors at Andersen Windows & Doors
- Annie Zipfel, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Andersen Windows & Doors
Member of the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA)
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Webinar: Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification
The Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification webinar is designed to help architects and remodelers understand the benefits of window, door and skylight certification and how certified products can enhance their projects.
