Door Pivot Types

Center Hung

• Center hung pivots are non-handed and double acting. These types of pivots install directly at the center line of the door and work for doors with a weight of up to 250 lbs. It has a top and bottom component that connects the door to the floor and frame. When installed, center hung pivots are almost completely concealed except for the floor plate. Do not use these types of pivots on labeled doors, such as fire-rated doors.

Side Jambs

• Use side jambs on doors where the pivot cannot be fastened to the head of the frame. A side jamb attaches to the top, bottom and edge of the door. Use side jambs to hang frameless doors or doors set in frames that are not solid enough to support the entire weight of the door. If you have a door with no frame, fasten a side jamb directly to wall studs.

Offset

• Offset pivots come in sizes ranging from three-fourths of an inch to 1 1/2 inches. Offset pivots can support doors with a weight of up to 1,000 lbs. The pivots come in two pieces, a top and bottom piece. The top pivot fastens to the top of the door and the bottom pivot connects to the bottom of the door. This distributes the weight of the door evenly. If you prefer, build the bottom pivot into a concrete floor to better conceal it.

Intermediate

• Intermediate pivots keep doors in alignment. This type of pivot is similar to a barrel hinge and you can use it on heavy-duty doors. Use intermediate pivots in conjunction with offset and center hung pivots. Although, some center hung pivots do not use intermediate pivots. Fire-rated doors must have an intermediate pivot if they are more than 5 feet tall.