Hardware Styles and Finishes
While the three-point lock is standard for pivot doors, the handle style is one of the door components that is customizable. However, it is important to understand that impact pivot doors in Miami are subject to very extreme climate conditions including salty air from the ocean, moisture and heat.
Stainless Steel Hardware
For this reason, it is important for pivot doors to have hardware components that can withstand these elements. The most resilient doors will be made with multi point locks. pivot hinges and locking devices of stainless steel to resist corrosion.
Featured Project – 6′(72″) Wide Aluminum Clad Wood Pivot Door
Check out this short pivot door video with the owner of ASP, Jonathan Rodriguez, showing a project with one of our customers.
Pull Bar Hardware
There are many options for pivot door pull handles that can be used. However, there are some best practices that can be used in order to keep the door looking good the longest.
Pull Bar Color
Out of all the colors that a pull bar can be made, satin nickel is the preferred color in Miami and surrounding areas. There are several reasons for this.
Over time the handle will naturally get damaged from the elements. If the handle is made from wood, it will rot quickly. Chrome and shiny brass finishes will begin to tarnish very quickly and show tiny rust spots from the corrosion.
Beware of Painted Handles
Painted handles will wear over time at the spots where the handle is most commonly gripped by people opening the door. Your black handle will appear worn away and faded at these spots.
Satin nickel is one the few finishes that looks worn to begin with so the deterioration over time is not as noticeable.
Offset Round or Square Pull Bar Handle
Due to the location of the keyhole for the locking mechanism, an offset round or square pull bar handle is recommended for easy access for your key. In impact pivot doors with glass, the actually plane of the door frame where the handle can be installed is limited. If the handle is installed in the wrong vertical plane, it will crack the impact glass.
Fully Custom Pull Handles
Using guidelines from a manufacturer with regards to the post and screw length needed for a handle to be compatible with their pivot door product, a homeowner or designer can contract a fabricator to make a 100% custom option for their door. Because a custom handle can be very expensive, it is recommended that the material used be pre-worn and the handle “offset” so it will not need to be replaced for many years and function well with the door.