Let’s set the record straight – exterior doors are no longer an entrance point.
No, they are not being replaced with some futuristic mist or veil. We mean to say that they are not simply functional access points anymore. They are now defining architectural elements that can change the whole look and feel of any space they are part of – whether you install them in quaint suburban homes or high-traffic commercial environments.
In fact, when it comes to entrances, pivot doors seem to be ruling the charts. Replacing traditional hinged doors, they offer a bold combination of performance and design that few other options seem to match.
In this blog, HaloGlass – a prominent aluminum door supplier in Ontario, will reveal how pivot doors are changing the way people enter their spaces.
What Is An Exterior Pivot Door?
Exterior pivot doors are doors that rotate on a single pivot system that is attached to the top and bottom sections of their panels. They can be swung both ways. In fact, their unique design is instrumental in shifting the load of the entire door away from its frame, thus allowing contractors to install large and heavy panels to create a striking visual effect.
As exterior doors, they are quite unlike hinge doors, which only pivot on their side-mounted hinges and do not offer half the design flexibility that their pivot counterparts do. Moreover, pivot doors can be fashioned in a wide variety of materials. For example, the combination of aluminum frames with glass, solid infills, or hybrid panels is a popular choice for spaces with clean, modern architecture.
How Pivot Doors Are Changing Exterior Entrances
The major reason why pivot doors have become game-changers in the entrance space is that they resolve a few serious limitations that are characteristic of traditional doors. Let’s explore:
- Pivot doors can be larger without heavier frames
- They function smoothly each time despite increased panel weight
- Barely visible hardware ensures clean, minimal aesthetics
- They create a dramatic architectural impact on the entrance
High-end projects, in particular, require doors that set the tone for their luxurious interiors. Pivot doors enable that, allowing designers to create statement entry-points that are just as functional and secure as they are striking.
Pivot Doors Performance Considerations For Entrances
It is a myth that pivot doors sacrifice performance to maintain their aesthetics. These modern aluminum doors are capable of handling high-traffic, demanding environments, provided they are specified and installed correctly. Key performance factors you should take into account include:
- Thermal performance: The best way to control heat transfer is to match thermally broken aluminum frames with insulated glass panels.
- Weather resistance: Equipping the doors you order for your project with advanced perimeter seals, thresholds, and drainage details are simple way to protect them against the effects of wind and rain.
- Structural stability: If large doors are a requirement of your project, pivot doors are a great choice. They are capable of supporting large panels while managing load transfer in the most efficient way possible.
- Security: High-quality pivot doors feature multi-point locking systems along with laminated safety glasses to ensure maximum security.
With the combination of the right glazing and sealing strategy, these aluminum doors offer the same level of reliability as standard hinged doors.
Design & Flexibility Customizations
One of the biggest advantages of choosing pivot doors is the endless customizations they offer. You can tailor your door to ensure it features:
- Slim and clean aluminum profile
- Full-glass or partially glazed panels
- Anodized, powder-coated, or other specialty finishes unique to your project
- Custom sizes and dimensions with unique pivot locations
Their extensive customizations ensure pivot doors sync seamlessly with other structural elements of your project, such as curtain walls, window systems, and facade designs.
Conclusion
If you want to give your project a unique and rather grand look, pivot doors are a great choice. Secure, durable, and highly customizable, these doors can be adapted to suit both commercial and residential projects in any architectural style.
HaloGlass provides solid, dependable, and tailored exterior doors, including pivot doors, to builders and contractors across Ontario. Contact us to create entrances that are both highly functional and completely unforgettable.
FAQ: Exterior Pivot Doors
Can pivot doors be used indoors?
Do pivot doors require special installation planning?
Are pivot doors more expensive than standard interior doors?