Anyone have a Pivot Door front door on their home?

[beaverretriever]

We had a new home built and got pretty cool double modern 72x96 entry doors with glass panels. However, we wanted to bring it up another level and we love those huge Pivot doors. Looking at frosted glass or wood with glass panels and two vertical panels on each side to size it down as the 72" version is just too big I think. What say you?

Anyone have one and what do you think? Darn pricey, but damn they look cool!

Recommendation for purchase and install in the Las Vegas area?

Thanks and have a great evening!

Pivot Door Company - Order Premium Pivot Doors Online

Pivot Door Company manufactures premium wood pivot doors for exterior and interior use. Our modern, hand-crafted designs are custom-made.

www.pivotdoorcompany.com

Exterior Modern Pivot Doors

A pivot door rotates on a pivot box in the floor and the top jamb rather than traditional door side hinges. These doors have become popular in last few years because they are ideal for large panels, have a cool contemporary vibe, and unique opening architectures. Pivot Doors revolve around a...

luxdoors.com

 

[MK1MOD0]

I do not have one in my home, but have one in my brewery. They are a very cool statement, and as ya know, aren’t cheap. They do take some work to make sure they are set correctly. Not a quick install. I’m a fan, and wouldn’t hesitate to do another.

 

[Racey]

They don't seal as well as a normal door, so be ready for extra cleaning of dust etc. You want a pretty well protected entry if it's rainy ever.

Because of the nature of a center pivot there are limitations on how you can seal the door, most especially right at the pivot.

I built one for a commercial spot, huge, exposed locking mechanism between glass panels, door was probably 700lbs and 6'x8'. Made custom timken tapered roller bearing assembly to support it. It's been happily operating for about 10 years now. Very low opening effort with good bearings, but getting the mass moving makes a statement.

 

[WhatExit?]

I like them but $8,000 - $10,000+ for a front door. Seems like it could be a DIY project for a lot less.

 

[500bbc]

I like them but $8,000 - $10,000+ for a front door. Seems like it could be a DIY project for a lot less.

Well it is just 700#'s of glass hinged on one point.

 

[beaverretriever]

I like them but $8,000 - $10,000+ for a front door. Seems like it could be a DIY project for a lot less.

Thanks for replies guys.

Yeah, I'm average at some home repairs etc but building or even hanging one of those doors is WAY above my pay grade.

 

[monkeyswrench]

They don't seal as well as a normal door, so be ready for extra cleaning of dust etc. You want a pretty well protected entry if it's rainy ever.

Because of the nature of a center pivot there are limitations on how you can seal the door, most especially right at the pivot.

I built one for a commercial spot, huge, exposed locking mechanism between glass panels, door was probably 700lbs and 6'x8'. Made custom timken tapered roller bearing assembly to support it. It's been happily operating for about 10 years now. Very low opening effort with good bearings, but getting the mass moving makes a statement.

In my mind I picture the Corral Castle. I read somewhere the builder used old Chevy spindles and bearings on a heavy block doorway. Could the doorway be sealed like a big vent window, or do they open both in and out?

 

[Racey]

In my mind I picture the Corral Castle. I read somewhere the builder used old Chevy spindles and bearings on a heavy block doorway. Could the doorway be sealed like a big vent window, or do they open both in and out?

Yes, exactly,you seal like a vent window, but because of the thickness of the door you must have at least the door thickness as a gap in that jam, this will get you a 90 degree opening, you need to increase that gap as you go to more than 90. A vent window is 1/4" thick, a pivot door is minimum 2" thick, if that makes sense.

You can somewhat mitigate leaks by installing short sweeps into the door itself that turn in from the jam and extend as close as is feasible to the pivot, but because of seals, bearing etc there usually isn't much room there. There are ways this can be addressed but they add substantial complexity to the manufacturing. And a floating sweep will never seal like a jam.

I spent a lot of time contemplating these details on the one i built

Technically I've actually built 3 now that are center pivoting, 2 of them are a 95/5 ratio so they don't have the appearance, but still have these same factors to overcome.

If i built a home I would definitely do one, you just have to plan accordingly around some constraints.

 

[Lucky Larry]

They had some cool ones at the Builder’s Show but they were pricey. Thanks for the info. Racey.

“Mrs.”

 

[Lucky Larry]

Terrible pic but was trying to get the size and pic of all the dead bolts.

 

[beaverretriever]

They had some cool ones at the Builder’s Show but they were pricey. Thanks for the info. Racey.

“Mrs.”
View attachment 1215532





View attachment 1215533 View attachment 1215535

Wow! That last one is huge. Our house doesn't deserve anything that massive or over the top.

 

[Mandelon]

Talk to Billy at Superior Moulding in Vegas. Outcoled sells those.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I'm leaning towards more of a statement...Draw bridge and portcullis. Have to finish the moat first

 

[Ace in the Hole]

I'm leaning towards more of a statement...Draw bridge and portcullis. Have to finish the moat first

Motion sensors and full auto 50 cal's...thats a statement.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Motion sensors and full auto 50 cal's...thats a statement.

A 50 will even wake the neighbors out here...suppressed 5.56 will make the same statement, and be a bit more courteous

 

[beaverretriever]

We are definitely not putting in anything over 50 in or so wide. First off they would look ridiculous on our house. Honestly, front doors don't seem to get used that much as we go in and out of the garage and have a side entrance too that we mostly use.

 

[monkeyswrench]

@Racey , since these doors already cost more than my cars, and already have more engineering than readily apparent, why not go what I call "full German"? Full German is what I call it when they use a bunch of mechanical or electronic items to something pretty simple.

With the door jamb, at first I thought of the old stainless "flipper" upper window channels for hardtop door glass. It pops up to allow the door to open, then snaps shut as the door closes.

Then I thought, "why not make a cam driven actuator that pushes the perimeter of the door into a receiver?" In effect, a full perimeter dead bolt. You could use servos too, but battery backups and fire codes may be an issue.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I like them but $8,000 - $10,000+ for a front door. Seems like it could be a DIY project for a lot less.

Run of the mill double entry (French) doors in metal/glass start about 6-8k…. Not the Home Depot stuff, but metal casing deco stuff that looks real nice.

 

[Racey]

@Racey , since these doors already cost more than my cars, and already have more engineering than readily apparent, why not go what I call "full German"? Full German is what I call it when they use a bunch of mechanical or electronic items to something pretty simple.

With the door jamb, at first I thought of the old stainless "flipper" upper window channels for hardtop door glass. It pops up to allow the door to open, then snaps shut as the door closes.

Then I thought, "why not make a cam driven actuator that pushes the perimeter of the door into a receiver?" In effect, a full perimeter dead bolt. You could use servos too, but battery backups and fire codes may be an issue.

Absolutely, just send the PO and a deposit

In all seriousness though, i already have made the designs for cam actuated seals that forcibly press against the sill when closed/latched. Its only money

 

[Racer56]

We had a new home built and got pretty cool double modern 72x96 entry doors with glass panels. However, we wanted to bring it up another level and we love those huge Pivot doors. Looking at frosted glass or wood with glass panels and two vertical panels on each side to size it down as the 72" version is just too big I think. What say you?

Anyone have one and what do you think? Darn pricey, but damn they look cool!

Recommendation for purchase and install in the Las Vegas area?

Thanks and have a great evening!

Pivot Door Company - Order Premium Pivot Doors Online

Pivot Door Company manufactures premium wood pivot doors for exterior and interior use. Our modern, hand-crafted designs are custom-made.

www.pivotdoorcompany.com

Exterior Modern Pivot Doors

A pivot door rotates on a pivot box in the floor and the top jamb rather than traditional door side hinges. These doors have become popular in last few years because they are ideal for large panels, have a cool contemporary vibe, and unique opening architectures. Pivot Doors revolve around a...

luxdoors.com

The pivot door company has a great reputation and builds a great door. I will probably use them for the front door at my Riviera house.

 

[SoCalDave]

My nephew has recently installed a couple of them. I like them myself.

 

[SoCalDave]

The pivot door company has a great reputation and builds a great door. I will probably use them for the front door at my Riviera house.

That's where my nephew gets his for installs.

Pivot Door Company - Order Premium Pivot Doors Online

Pivot Door Company manufactures premium wood pivot doors for exterior and interior use. Our modern, hand-crafted designs are custom-made.

www.pivotdoorcompany.com

 

[monkeyswrench]

Absolutely, just send the PO and a deposit

In all seriousness though, i already have made the designs for cam actuated seals that forcibly press against the sill when closed/latched. Its only money

Good, at least my brain is working like a good fabricator, not just a mad scientist.

Not much difference I guess

 

[HNL2LHC]

Been doing these for quite a few years. Can do sidelights and transome. Personally I would go with larger panels rather than this one. Then also be sure that you move the pivot beyon 18“. The one that are 8” do look that impressive. Our doors are in the $10k+ range. You can make a wood panel door with vision lights of glass using hardware like RIxson if you are on a budget.

GOod luck!!!

 

[Orange Juice]

I’m only impressed with the ones made of stone, and are perfectly balanced.

 

[cofooter]

I’m only impressed with the ones made of stone, and are perfectly balanced.

Indiana Jones just came to mind, haha

 

[beaverretriever]

My nephew has recently installed a couple of them. I like them myself.
View attachment 1215706 View attachment 1215707 View attachment 1215708

Thanks for all the comments and input.

^^This above, is the set up/layout I was considering. Door with glass down each side or one side. Been going back and forth on a full frosted with black frame or something like the wood with frosted panels of glass.

We currently have double french doors.
Pardon the dirty boring pavers and average landscaping as we have not done anytning to the yard yet. All comomg in time.

 

[Cray Paper]

My last project had similar doors at the L1 elevator lobby's in both buildings. They were a PITA to install and adjust and code compliance was a huge PITA. Codes were smoke control (high-rise), ADA, Client Security protocol and FPT via JHA with a power outage and on generator BU power. Doors were installed for active shooter scenarios.

The gaps at the pivot side have to be large, couldn't imagine using one of these on an entry door at home.

 

[Crazyhippy]

Buddy has one at his place. Looks super cool, and day to day is awesome. Sealing may be an issue as mentioned, but the biggest complaint, is it really isn't a bigger opening than a regular dor, so moving furniture isn't any easier...

 

[DirtyWhiteDog]

Just a bit of a warning. These doors are massive, and with the weight comes energy. If you have little ones or injury prone people about, the force of the door when closing on the jamb can and will break bones or worse.

 

[Racey]

Thanks for all the comments and input.

^^This above, is the set up/layout I was considering. Door with glass down each side or one side. Been going back and forth on a full frosted with black frame or something like the wood with frosted panels of glass.

We currently have double french doors.
Pardon the dirty boring pavers and average landscaping as we have not done anytning to the yard yet. All comomg in time.
View attachment 1215781 View attachment 1215782

That is a well protected entry, you won't have much issue with a pivot door there.