Offset Pivoting Door

The goal when envisioning this new home was for it to be functional and aesthetically clean with modern details. A unique, solid wood front door became a focal point. Weather in Kansas City demands that it be functional in the heat, rain and snow, but the owner’s desire was to have an offset pivoting wood door typically seen in more moderate climates.

The designer’s initial thought was to build a smaller door with standard hinging, a glass sidelight and a transom, but they were able to source heavy-duty pivoting hardware that allowed them to make one large door the entire size of the opening and handle 600 pounds of weight. They engineered the entire door as one unit with an internal metal substructure that provided stability. They sourced two book-matched white oak slabs knowing they would expand and contract with the elements. The solution was to have those two slabs “float” inside that metal framework to allow for movement. The metal framework was clad in wood, with integrated glass to provide natural light at the entry. They used an automatic door bottom seal and weather stripping to tighten up the door at the perimeter. The end solution is really the first thing people see as they enter the home and has certainly become a wow-factor.