LUXE Pivot Doors: A Complete Guide for Builders and Architects  

When designing or constructing a new building, few elements are as important as the front door. To prospective homeowners, the front door is the “face” of the property. And in many cases, standing out is far better than blending in. There are hundreds of choices when it comes to designing an entryway, but pivot front doors provide a unique look and function that is hard to replicate with a traditional model.

In this article, the DSA Door experts will answer a number of questions about pivoting doors, including “What is a pivot door,” and “How do pivoting doors differ from standard doors?” We’ll also provide information about our LUXE Pivot Doors so that you can decide if a pivoting front or back door is right for your next project.

Are you a builder or dealer looking to learn more about LUXE Pivot Doors from DSA Doors? Click here to sign up for in-person or online Pivot Door training, and we’ll provide FREE LUNCH for your team!

What Are Pivot Doors?

Pivot doors are designed to rotate on hinges placed at the top and bottom of the door. This is different from nearly all traditional doors, which have hinges attached to the horizontal section of the door frame. Pivot hinges have been around for centuries, but modern technology allows for much smoother function as well as more impressive presentations.

How Do Pivot Doors Work?

The basic pivot door design consists of a top pivot, a bottom pivot, and two corresponding plates set into the frame. So, rather than opening and closing at the side of the door frame, a pivot door turns on the axis created by the two pivot mechanisms. For this reason, they are often referred to as swivel doors. Depending on the intended aesthetic, this axis can be placed almost anywhere in the door, creating pivoting door designs that open in a variety of dynamic ways.

Why Pivot Doors?

There are many reasons why an architect, designer, or homeowner might prefer a pivot door vs. a traditional door design. For example:

They Can Be Much Larger (and Smaller)

Most standard doors remain limited by the strength of the hinges. Any architect knows that a big, heavy Hickory or Mahogany door will need larger hinges to hold it in place. The same is not true for pivot doors. Because the pivot axis can be placed at any point, it’s possible to design pivot doors of virtually any size or material. In fact, there have been examples of pivot doors made of marble and stone that are in no danger of failing. Pivot door designs are also ideal for alcoves and “secret” rooms with thin entryways.

They Offer a Clean, Modern Look

Architects around the world love pivot doors because they provide seamless, elegant functionality while also looking amazing. When installed properly, some pivot doors look as if there is virtually no space at all between the door and frame. From mansions to churches to government buildings, pivot doors can really add a lot to any room.

They Provide Incredibly Smooth Movement

Because their movement is not hindered by a traditional hinge, even the heaviest pivot doors can be opened by a single individual. This also allows for a variety of different movement types. For instance, placing the pivot point closer to the center of the door drastically reduces the amount of space needed to open it.

They are Incredibly Versatile 

Pivot doors provide architects with unlimited room for creativity. From pivot front doors to pivoting walls and more, these entryways really add that “wow factor” that many homebuyers crave. Though wood remains the most popular option, aluminum pivot door and glass pivot door designs have also been incorporated into all types of buildings.

DSA Doors offers a variety of pre-fabricated and custom wood pivot doors for sale. You can see our entire LUXE Pivot Door Catalog here

Are Pivot Doors Worth It?

With the right mechanism, architects can install pivot doors that weigh more than 1,000 pounds and measure over a dozen feet wide. Some ostentatious designers have also incorporated pivot entryway designs over 20 feet tall. That said, you can include pivot entryways in all manner of different design situations.

A simple, well-built wood pivot door makes for a functional and aesthetically pleasing addition to any home. Of course, they can also help spice up an office space or commercial property. There’s a pivot door design for every situation. So, it’s less about pivot doors vs. regular doors and more about what a particular space calls for.

LUXE Premium Pivot Doors for Sale from DSA Doors

As one of America’s premier door manufacturers, DSA Doors works with professional dealers, architects, designers, and builders nationwide. Our catalog of models includes a series of nine pre-engineered luxury pivot doors. Of course, we also design and produce custom pivot entryways in our Raleigh-based production facility. This allows us to meet any customer need, no matter how unique.

Our pre-engineered pivot doors include the Scandinavian-inspired Fjord, the geometric, translucent Niva, and the ultra-modern Solna. Each boasts only the finest premium timber and includes the state-of-the-art FritsJurgens M+ Adjustable Pivot System. We also provide pivot door sidelites in single or double-frame designs. 

Aside from their exceptional craftsmanship, our LUXE Pivot Doors stand out for several reasons. Standard and Custom features include:

FritsJurgens® System M+ Adjustable Pivot Hinge

This revolutionary pivot hinge design from Dutch company FritsJurgens allows for fluent and precise movement at the touch of a finger. DSA offers four standard pivot locations, as well as custom placements. The premium M+ Pivot Hinge system is made of high-strength stainless steel and tested to withstand over 136 years of daily use. Most importantly, the entire hinge system is completely embedded into the door frame, making it virtually invisible to the naked eye. That said, the system’s superior functionality is very clear. Homeowners can easily adjust the speed, damper, and latch control as desired using the adjustment screws at the bottom of the door. Once installed and customized, the M+ hinge will be maintenance-free for years to come.

Multiple Lock and Hardware Options

We allow many points of customization for our pivot door designs. Our clients can choose from serval latching systems and locking mechanisms, including smart lock hardware from Danalock. We also provide several thumb latch options, pull bars, and handles. Want a glass pivot door to maximize brighten up your space? We provide multiple insulated glass styles, including Flemish, Sandblasted, and Rain.

ATHMER® Top & Bottom Automatic Drop Seals

The most frequent complaint about sub-par pivot entryways is that they fail to form a proper seal, sometimes allowing in water, wind, and dust. That’s why every DSA LUXE Pivot Door features Athmer Schall-Ex WS Pivot Automatic Drop Seals on both the top and bottom. Made of anodized aluminum, these premium-quality drop seals automatically extend and retract when the door opens and closes for superior environmental, thermal, and weather protection.

Why Wood Pivot Doors Lead the Industry

Because of their unique design, builders can incorporate all sorts of pivot into their homes, from marble or metal to composite and glass. However, wood pivot doors remain the industry standard and a favorite among buyers for several reasons. The primary benefit of a wood door, pivot or otherwise, is durability. Indeed, even lightweight wood is difficult to break and resistant to damage. If a wood door becomes dented or scuffed, it is much easier to repair than a metal or composite model. Wood models are also sustainable and very energy efficient, drastically reducing hot and cold air transfer while effectively blocking UV light.

Premium Doors, Premium Service: The DSA Difference

LUXE Pivot Doors from DSA Doors are truly in a league of their own. And with our ability to design and deliver to a national client base, there’s no need to sit around searching “pivot doors for sale near me.” With DSA, you get the highest quality doors at the best price every time. If you’re an architect, designer, or builder looking to craft a truly magnificent space, DSA can open the door to a whole world of new ideas.

LUXE Pivot Doors from DSA Doors offer superior craftsmanship and functionality. To learn more about our wood pivot door solutions, click here.

Clearance Barn Doors

DSA has a limited quantity of Brazilian Cherry Barn Doors available at discounted prices! Barn doors are a long-time homeowner favorite, due to their space-saving functionality and customizability. DSA’s Clearance Barn Doors are available in 32″, 36″ and 42″ widths, and in 80″ to 100″ heights. Choose from 6 different Plank configurations and 5 different prefinishes. Contact your DSA Dealer or Representative today to order!

  • Wood: Brazilian Cherry
  • Widths: 32”, 36” & 42”
  • Heights: 80” – 100”
  • Available Configurations:
    • 1 Vertical Plank
    • 2 Split Plank
    • 3 X Plank
    • 4 Z Plank
    • 5 Lower X Plank
    • 6 E Plank

Available unfinished or in your choice of barn prefinishes

Russet
Chestnut
Whitewash
Graywash
Weathered

Is a New Front Door a Good Investment?

When you’re building or renovating a home, projects can add up quickly. Still, it’s important to know that every investment will continue to pay off for years to come. One of the smartest investments of all is installing a new front door. The exterior front doors are the first thing many people notice when they see your home.

Moreover, replacing your door can increase your home’s curb appeal, value, security, and energy efficiency. How can you tell if it’s time for a new front door? Inspect your entryway for common signs of damage today, and keep reading to find out how to measure for a replacement and what to look out for when choosing your new door.

Why You Should Buy a New Front Door for Your Home

Installing a new front door is one of the best ways to revitalize your property. In fact, by replacing that old, damaged door, you can drastically improve your curb appeal, energy efficiency, and security.  

Maximize your curb appeal and ROI

When planning a renovation or building a new home, it’s helpful to consider the return on investment (ROI). The ROI measures the amount by which the home’s value increases compared to the improvement cost. Completing projects with a high ROI can help you get as much back on your investment as possible when you sell your property. According to Remodeling Magazine, investing in a new entry door has an average ROI of 74.9%. Each year, the Magazine reports the ROI of common remodeling projects. Front doors have topped the list for many years.

The exterior door is an important focal point for visitors, neighbors, and potential homebuyers. Or that reason, your front door is crucial to your home’s curb appeal and perceived value. In addition to ROI and curb appeal, investing in a quality entry door will provide protection and energy efficiency. A new front door is one of the most affordable and important investments you can make. Even if you’re not selling your home, it will provide value to your family for years to come.

Invest in your home security

Security firm ADT reports that the front door is the most common entry point for intruders. That’s why it’s so important to keep it secure. But if you overlook or fail to maintain this exterior door, years of wear and tear may weaken its integrity. For instance, warping is a common defect that can cause the deadbolt to fit incorrectly. Without the full protection of a deadbolt, a burglar could force open the front door with surprisingly little effort.

When should you replace your front door?

Many homeowners inherited their front door when they purchased their home, and it may or may not reflect their personal style. As time goes by, a homeowner may take the door for granted instead of evaluating it regularly for maintenance or repairs.

Here are some clear signs that it’s time to invest in a new entry door:

  • Light peeking through – Is there light coming in around the perimeter of your door, or even through cracks in the door itself? Remember, if light is entering your house, other things can get in too. This includes water, wind, dirt, insects, and rodents.
  • Hot or cold air coming in – If you don’t see light coming in but feel a draft, there may be a gap around your door framing or damaged weather stripping. It would be best if you replaced the weather stripping regularly to ensure a good seal. However, if you’re feeling drafts year after year, it’s probably well past time to replace your front door.
  • Heavy dents – On a well-used door, wear and tear is normal. However, some types of damage go beyond looks. For instance, large dents can indicate compromised structural integrity, especially if located near the door’s perimeter.
  • Hard to open or close – If you often struggle to open or close your front door, your door has likely expanded, contracted, or even warped. And when your door no longer fits properly in the door jamb, the compromised seal will allow air, water, insects, and other pollutants into your home.
  • Lock is not working properly – A front door that doesn’t lock properly is an obvious security issue. If possible, perform maintenance on the lock as soon as you can. However, if you find you need to replace your entire lock system, consider this an opportunity to install a new, more secure door.
  • Exterior rust – Visible rust indicates there is moisture inside your door frame, which is likely causing rot. Indeed, many manufacturers do not fully galvanize their steel doors. As they rot from the inside out, they become structurally unsound, making it easy for intruders to force entry.
  • Rotting, flaking, or softened wood – If you see rotting or flaking near the bottom of the door jamb (the casing around the door), this is a surefire sign it’s time to replace the door. You may also notice that the wood is getting soft to the touch. This is another sign of rot and indicates it’s time to replace both the door and jamb.
  • Splitting and peeling – If not maintained, wood and engineered wood doors can become cracked, warped, and weathered. This leads to rot while simultaneously attracting termites and other wood-destroying insects.
  • Increased energy bills – Front doors that leak air around the frame can significantly compromise your home’s energy efficiency. Leaks force your HVAC system to work harder to maintain temperatures. Also, older front doors lack energy performance innovations that are huge money savers during hot summers and cold winters. If this applies to your home, consider investing in a new exterior door immediately.

How to measure for a new front door

Before you can start shopping for your new front door, you need to know exactly what size door you’re looking for. If you’re set on replacing your door, start by measuring your old door’s width, thickness, and height. Also, measure the thickness of the wall so that you get the proper door jamb width. While doing so, take note of the door swing direction. Finally, stand inside your home, and see which side the doorknob is on. If it’s on the right, you have a right-handed door. If it’s on the left, it’s a left-handed door.

Historic or custom homes sometimes have non-standard-sized doors. Luckily, our DSA Dealers and Custom Design Team can custom-fit or modify our doors to fit a wide variety of homes and design preferences. When you purchase your new entry, it’s best to order your door as a pre-hung package with the weather stripping, threshold, jamb, and hardware included. This confirms that all the components are designed to work well together. At DSA, we test our pre-hung doors for infiltration and thermal efficiency to ensure each DSA homeowner gets an enduring entryway to enjoy for years to come.

Where to buy your new door

Make the best investment in your home! DSA works with a network of trusted dealers and home professionals extending to the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States to make sure that each homeowner receives a professionally fitted, customized, and installed DSA Door. Our teams of skilled artisans hand-assemble, sand and finish each door to the highest quality standards. To find your dealer, click here or visit DSADoors.com/Dealer today!

Why You Should Choose a Wood Door

As you are probably aware, there are many different materials for front doors. You can choose a traditional wood door, or one constructed from steel, aluminum, fiberglass, or other materials. You can choose solid wood or engineered wood, which has a high-end wood veneer over a lower-grade wood core. At DSA Doors, we manufacture Master-Crafted solid wood doors. Drawing on centuries of tradition and decades of experience, we know that a solid wood door is one of the best investments a homeowner can make in their home.

Strength & Security

Safety is an important concern before moving into a new home or purchasing a front door. Solid wood doors are incredibly strong and resistant to break-in attempts. Averaging around 150 pounds, solid wood doors do not budge easily. Wood is so hearty that it’s difficult to even dent. It takes a lot more than a kick or shove to force open.
Your door also must be secure against weather and wind conditions. Depending on your location, you may even need an impact-rated, DP-50 or DP-70 door. DSA Doors are subjected to extreme testing conditions that simulate hurricane-force winds to ensure their safety and reliability.

Durable & Repairable

Damages to metal and veneered doors are not easily repairable, while solid wood doors can be sanded and refinished multiple times. In addition to their repairability, DSA Doors are constructed for maximum durability. Our proprietary 11-ply floating panel core and finger joint laminated rails protect against warping and splitting for years to come.

Customizable & One-of-a-Kind

Each wood door is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Wood is a warm natural material that will welcome each guest to your home for years to come. Since wood doors have been produced for centuries, there is a wide range of designs and options available to choose from. At DSA Doors, we have over 30 Standard Door collections to choose from. Our Custom Design Team can help you design your perfect door, from timber to panel design and custom glass. In addition to design options, wood doors can be re-stained when updating the style of your home, which is not available for almost any other material.

Sustainable & Energy-efficient

Sustainably sourced wood is one of the most environmentally friendly materials currently available because it is a natural carbon sink and is truly renewable. DSA Doors exclusively uses sustainably sourced timber, which is managed in an environmentally, socially and economically beneficial manner.
We also feature innovative door collections with CLPF construction, which replaces our solid hardwood cores with an energy-efficient foam core for the highest thermal performance. To further increase thermal efficiency, all our doors have a complimentary low-emissivity (Low E) double-coating on the glass, which minimizes the amount of heat and UV light that comes
through your glass without minimizing the visible light entering your home.

Protect your Door

In order to preserve your door for generations to come, there are two main factors to consider when purchasing a wood door.
The first is sun exposure. To limit your door’s sun exposure, a protective overhang is required for wood doors and suggested for all exterior doors. The overhang needs to extend at least half the distance from the base of the door to the bottom of the overhang. So, if your overhang is 10 feet from the base of your door, it needs to extend at least 5 feet in order to provide adequate protection. Manufacturers typically require a suitable overhang in warranty documentation. DSA’s Wynstellar Collection, which features high-performance acetylated Accoya wood, does not require an overhang and is a good choice for exterior doors subjected to harsh climates and conditions.
The second consideration to preserve your wood door is regular maintenance. One of the most important aspects of regular maintenance is keeping up with your door’s protective clear coat. If the clear coat degrades, your door’s stain and wood become vulnerable to the elements. Depending on your weather and overhang coverage, your door should be maintained at least once a year or whenever you feel the clear coat is wearing off. Simply clean your door, lightly sand, then apply another clear coat. You can apply 2-3 coats for maximum protection, letting each coat dry before applying another.

To order your Master-Crafted exterior wood door, reach out to your local DSA Dealer today!

Join Our Dealer Network

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: DSA Doors, 10681 World Trade Blvd. , Raleigh, NC, 27617, US, https://www.dsadoors.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.