Pivot Hinge Guide: Offset, Center Hung & Self Closing Types
A pivot hinge installs in the floor and the top of the door frame rather than on the door edge. Because the door's weight is supported by the bottom arm and the floor — not the frame — pivot hinges can carry far more weight than standard butt hinges and are the right choice for extra-heavy, oversized, or high-traffic doors.
Type 1
Offset pivot hinges
Used on recessed or flush doors where the door must swing clear of the inside of the frame. The pivot point is located ¾" from the heel edge of the door and either ¾" or 1½" from the face. Most offset pivots are handed — left or right hand must be specified at time of order.
Intermediate pivot hinges can be added to provide additional support on extra-heavy or unusually tall doors, keeping the middle of the door aligned with the top and bottom pivots.
How to Determine Pivot Hinge Handing
Stand on the push side of the door — the side the door swings away from you. Look at which side the hinge is on. Hinge on the left = left hand door. Hinge on the right = right hand door.
Type 2
Center hung pivot hinges
Most commonly used on storefront glass doors. The hardware is completely concealed once installed — only the floor plate is visible, providing a clean, minimal look. Center hung pivot hinges are non-handed and double acting — the door can open in either direction. They can also be mounted closer to the center of the door rather than at the edge, enabling unique door configurations.
Type 3
Self closing pivot hinges
Self closing pivot hinges are most often used on restaurant kitchen doors where the door must swing both ways and automatically return to the closed position. They come in two types — spring and gravity.
Use an internal spring mechanism to close the door. The closing force is fully adjustable — you control how hard and fast the door closes. Most are double acting so the door swings in both directions. Many models include a hold-open feature.
Use the door's own weight to return it to closed — no spring required. Like spring pivots, gravity pivots can include a hold-open feature at 90°. Since there is no spring to wear out, gravity pivots are more durable long-term but cannot be adjusted for closing speed.
Need help choosing?
Not sure which pivot hinge type is right for your door? Contact us with your door weight, dimensions, and application and we'll spec the right hinge. Browse our full pivot hinge collection or return to the Help Center.