Hinged Doors Vs. Pivot Doors Review: Which Is Right For Your Home?

There are many types of doors from which you can choose for your home. Some doors swing, slide, fold, or spin. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between two swing-style doors: Hinged doors and pivot doors. After you're done reading, you'll have a better idea about which door is best for the home:

Hinged Doors

What does door hinge mean?
Where are hinges used?
How many hinges per door?
Where to put a hinged door?
Advantages of hinged doors
Door hinge issues

Pivot Doors

What's a pivot joint?
Where is a pivot joint located?
How many pivots per door?
Pivot door ideas
Pivot door benefits
Pivot door problems

Doors with a long history

The earliest records of doors trace back to ancient times. Some ancient doors on record are from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Syria. These doors operated on pivots that allowed the door to swing open. Prior to pivot doors, structures with doors likely would have operated with slabs of stone to block the passageway.

Doors acted, and continue to act, as mechanisms that allow and block entrance into a space claiming privacy and ownership. Doors and doorways also provided ventilation and insulation to buildings. The same can be said for today.

Bringing us back to today, swinging doors are standard, common, and often overlooked although they’re also one of the most used objects in our homes and elsewhere. So what’s the difference between a hinged door and a pivot door?

Hinged Door Review

What’s a hinge?

Hinged doors are doors that operate with hinge hardware. What is a hinge? A hinge is a mechanism that connects two solid objects and allows some rotation between them. Hinges operate on a fixed axis similar to the function of your elbow joint.

Where are hinges placed?

Hinges are placed on the side of a door panel. The hinge consists of two leaves meeting at a center pivot point. One panel is secured to the frame of the door and the other is secured to the door.

How many hinges does my door need?

How many hinges your door needs depends on the size and weight of the door. These factors will also determine which type of hinge and hardware are best for your door.
Table showing how many hinges a door needs according to door height.

Examples of hinged doors

ProVia Signet Fiberglass Front Door from Brennan Enterprises in Dallas, TX.

What are the best places to put hinged doors?

Hinged doors are the standard of all doors and can be used anywhere. What you do what to keep in mind is the size and weight of the door and the types of hinges and hardware that the door will need to perform well. If you’re looking for information specific to hinge types for doors check out this helpful door hinge buying guide to help you understand the hardware.

What are some benefits of choosing hinged doors?

Hinged doors are generally the first option people consider when shopping for new or replacement doors. Depending on the manufacturer and where you want the door installed they are available in a variety of sizes and can be framed or frameless. Hinged doors can open inwards, outwards, or both and can be for internal or external use. They can also be paired with security or insect screens to let in a breeze and keep out the critters.

Are there problems with hinged doors?

Hinged doors require maintenance to keep them functioning optimally. One issue common with hinged doors is that gravity pulls down on the door over time and use, this can cause the top hinge to loosen. When this happens the door slumps to the side from the extra pressure and causes the door to catch onto the latch jamb. The slumped door can cause the bottom corner of the door to scratch against the floor.

Pivot Door Review

What’s a pivot?

A pivot is a central point on which a mechanism turns or swivels. A pivot door is different from a standard door in that the door is not restrained by hinges on the side; instead, it swings on a single point or axis.

Where are pivots placed?

Pivots are located at the very top and bottom of the door at points that are located the same distance from the edge of the frame.

How many pivots does my door need?

Two. A pivot door can and will only function on two pivots, one at the top and one at the bottom. Any more than that would obstruct the function of the door and any less would leave the door unsecured, as such, it wouldn’t hold up.

Examples of pivot doors

Best uses for pivot doors

Pivot doors have grown in popularity in recent years because they give homes a unique look and feel. Pivot doors are definitely considered a statement piece and look great as front entry doors and patio doors.

Benefits of pivot doors

Pivot doors have many benefits. In addition to a seamless look that blends your indoor and outdoor spaces, pivot doors are available in sizes larger than traditional doors creating wide and generous openings. Hardware can also be adjusted to affect the travel speed and closure of the door ensuring smooth operation.

Cons of pivot doors

Two of the primary issues associated with pivot doors are warping and cost. Warping happens in pivot doors because they are not restrained by hinges which tend to stabilize a door. Keep in mind that the material of the door plays a role in the warping, this is an issue associated with wood doors.

Pricing for doors will always vary because there are many factors to take into account but estimates show that pivot doors cost up to 30 to 50% more than standard front entry doors.

- We carry Weiland Pivot Doors check them out here or contact us for more information -

So which door should you choose?

While you could say that pivot doors have lasted the test of time, it’s really the hinged door that is a classic and standard in our homes.

Before you make a decision you should consider where this door is going to be installed? Is it an interior door or an exterior door? If it is an exterior door, will it be the front door or the patio door? Are you looking for function or style?

To be honest both style doors can check all of those boxes but the pivot door is the one you’ll want to choose if you’re looking for a statement piece to your home. If cost is a concern choose a more traditional hinged door, as there are many options for customizing that would also meet your needs and wants.

Keep comparing and asking as you do your shopping, what if you fall in love with a pivot door and choose not to get it for cost but end up customizing a hinged door so much that they end up at the same price?

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