A Guide to FritsJurgens Pivot Door Hinge System
FritsJurgens pivot hinge systems are concealed entirely within the door and floor, transforming any door into a pivot door with no visible hardware on the face. Engineered and manufactured in the Netherlands using marine-grade stainless steel and anodized aluminum, each system is designed for doors up to 500 kg (1,100 lbs) and virtually unlimited dimensions. Compatible with new construction and retrofit installations, including floors with underfloor heating.
What is a pivot door?
A pivot door rotates on a vertical axis defined by two aligned pivot points — one in the floor, one in the ceiling or head jamb. Unlike traditional hinges mounted to the side frame, a pivot hinge transfers the door's weight vertically through the floor pivot, allowing much larger and heavier doors than conventional hinges can support. The pivot point can be positioned off-center (side placement) or at the center of the door, creating different visual effects and clearance conditions depending on the design intent.
Because pivot hinges carry weight through the floor rather than the frame, there are no practical limits on door width or height. This makes pivot doors a natural fit for oversized openings, feature walls, room dividers, and architectural statements in both residential and commercial projects.
Why FritsJurgens?
Fully concealed mechanism. The bottom pivot is mortised into the underside of the door. The floor plate is the only visible component at ground level — available in stainless steel or black, round or square, surface-mounted or flush. There are no exposed closers, no surface-mounted arms, no visible overhead hardware.
Engineered capacity. Systems are rated from 20 kg up to 500 kg (1,100 lbs) per hinge, with no limits to door width or height. Material choice is unrestricted — wood, steel, glass, stone, bronze, composite panels. If it can be hung, FritsJurgens can pivot it.
Precision hydraulics (System M+). Three independently adjustable controls — Damper Control, 30° Speed Control, and Latch Control — provide complete command over every phase of the door's motion. Self-closing, soft-close, and reliable latch engagement are all built in.
Installation simplicity. Each system is milled into the door and floor using standard woodworking tools. On-site installation takes approximately 30 minutes. Once installed, FritsJurgens systems are maintenance-free.
Multiple configurations. Systems are available with 70 mm backset, 40 mm backset, and Top Pivot Reversed (TP-R) — with all three options across System One, System FX, and System M+. TP-R moves the pivot mechanism to the ceiling or head jamb — only a small receiver is milled into the door's top edge, allowing thinner frames and larger glass openings.
The Systems
System One — Free Swing
System One is the most compact pivot hinge in the FritsJurgens range. At just 18 mm in height, it installs entirely within the door with minimal milling depth. System One provides 360° free-swing rotation with no hold positions and no self-closing mechanism — the door moves freely in any direction and stays where you leave it.
Available in 40 mm, 70 mm, and TP-R configurations. Class G only (up to 500 kg). Compatible with door frames for single-acting installations. With flush floor plates, System One can also be used for exterior door applications.
Best for: Architectural pivot doors, feature walls, oversized interior openings, and any application where free-swing rotation is desired without mechanical resistance or closing force.
System FX — Hold Positions
System FX is designed for doors that need to stay open. With extremely strong hold positions at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°, the door locks into position magnetically and releases with a firm push. Between hold positions (10°–80°), the door swings freely with no damping. There is no self-closing mechanism — System FX holds where you put it.
Available in 40 mm, 70 mm, and TP-R configurations. Weight classes: Class A (20–119 kg), Class C (up to 209 kg), and Class G (up to 500 kg — 70 mm and TP-R only). Compact 38 × 32 mm body profile.
Best for: Partition panels, room dividers, high-traffic commercial interiors, pivot walls, and any door that functions as a movable wall needing reliable hold-open positions.
System M+ — Self-Closing Hydraulic
System M+ is a fully hydraulic, self-closing pivot hinge system with three independent adjustment controls. Damper Control governs hydraulic resistance on both opening and closing. 30° Speed Control adjusts the final closing phase independently. Latch Control accelerates the last degrees of travel to ensure reliable latch bolt engagement. Hold positions at 0°, 90°, and −90°. Self-closing from 125° and −125°.
Available in 40 mm, 70 mm, and TP-R configurations across eight weight classes (AA through G), supporting doors from 20 kg to 500 kg. Door width up to 5,000 mm (16′ 5″).
Best for: Primary entrance doors, exterior doors, fire-rated assemblies, ADA-compliant openings, and any application requiring controlled self-closing with adjustable speed and latch engagement.
System 3 — Revolving / Pivoting Wall
System 3 is a self-closing system designed for middle-placement pivot doors that rotate automatically toward hold positions at 0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°. It creates a true revolving wall — a door that can divide or connect two rooms depending on its orientation, held firmly at each position.
Available in 70 mm and TP-R configurations. Class G (up to 500 kg). Double-acting only.
Best for: Pivot walls, room dividers, and double-acting revolving doors where the door must self-close to defined positions and hold securely at 90° intervals.
System Comparison
| System One | System FX | System M+ | System 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configurations | 40 mm, 70 mm, TP-R | 40 mm, 70 mm, TP-R | 40 mm, 70 mm, TP-R | 70 mm, TP-R |
| Free Swing | Yes — 360° | Yes — between hold positions | No | No |
| Hold Positions | No | 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° | 0°, 90°, −90° | 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° |
| Self-Closing | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hydraulic Damping | No | No | Yes — Damper Control + Backcheck | No |
| 30° Speed Control | No | No | Yes | No |
| Latch Control | No | No | Yes | No |
| Rotation | 360° | 360° / 180° / 90° | 90° or 180° | 360° |
| Single & Double Acting | Both | Both | Both | Double acting only |
| Side & Middle Pivot | Both | Both | Both | Middle only |
| Weight Capacity | Up to 500 kg (1,100 lbs) |
20–500 kg (44–1,100 lbs) |
20–500 kg (44–1,100 lbs) |
Up to 500 kg (1,100 lbs) |
| Weight Classes | G only | A, C, G | AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G | G only |
| Min. Door Thickness | 40 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm (AA–E) 50 mm (F–G) |
40 mm |
| Max Door Width | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5,000 mm (16′ 5″) |
— |
| Exterior Doors | Yes | Yes — with flush floor plates | Yes | No |
Not sure which system is right for your project? Use the FritsJurgens Selector to configure your system in a few steps, or contact our sales team for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Top Pivot Reversed (TP-R)?
In a standard configuration, the pivot mechanism sits inside the top of the door and connects to a ceiling plate above. With TP-R, the pivot mechanism is moved to the head jamb or ceiling — only a small receiver is milled into the door's top edge. This allows thinner frame profiles and larger glass openings. TP-R is available across all four FritsJurgens systems and is particularly useful for glass doors, exterior doors with a head jamb, and installations where top-of-door milling depth is limited.
Can I use FritsJurgens for exterior doors?
Yes. System One, System FX, and System M+ are all suitable for exterior door applications. For exterior installations, flush (recessed) floor plates are recommended — these sit within the sill rather than on top of the floor, accommodating drop seals and weather-tight thresholds. Flush floor plates are available in stainless steel. Consult with your door manufacturer and installer to confirm weatherproofing details for your specific assembly.
I have heated floors. Will that be a problem?
No. FritsJurgens floor plates require only 8–11 mm of depth in the floor, making them compatible with most underfloor heating systems. The floor pivot does not generate heat and does not interfere with radiant floor assemblies.
What's the difference between single-acting and double-acting?
A single-acting door swings in one direction only (push or pull), typically into a room. A double-acting door swings both ways — in and out — common in high-traffic locations or where the pivot door functions as a room divider. Systems with 360° rotation (System One, System FX, System 3) are inherently double-acting. System M+ supports both single and double-acting configurations depending on installation.
What are hold positions?
Hold positions are the angles at which the door locks into place and resists further movement until manually pushed. System FX holds at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° — strong enough to keep a heavy door from moving in a cross-breeze. System M+ holds at 0°, 90°, and −90°. System 3 holds at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° with self-closing back to the nearest hold angle. System One has no hold positions — it swings freely.
What is Damper Control?
Available on System M+, Damper Control adjusts the hydraulic resistance during both opening and closing. On opening, the hydraulic backcheck slows the door as it passes approximately 70°, preventing it from slamming into walls or surroundings. On closing, it delivers a smooth, controlled soft-close. The intensity is adjustable: harder damping means slower closing, softer damping means faster closing.
What is 30° Speed Control?
A System M+ feature that governs the speed of the door during the final 30° of its closing arc, independently from the main Damper Control setting. This allows fine-tuning of the last phase of closing — useful for ensuring the door doesn't slow to a crawl before reaching the frame, or alternatively, for making the final approach gentler.
What is Latch Control?
A System M+ feature that slightly accelerates the door in the last degrees before closed position, ensuring that latching bolts engage fully and reliably every time. Essential for exterior doors and any door fitted with a mortise lock.
What is a 40 mm vs 70 mm backset?
The backset is the distance from the door edge to the pivot point. A 70 mm backset provides adjustable placement from 70 mm from the edge to center — giving more flexibility and accommodating wider doors. A 40 mm backset fixes the pivot at just 40 mm from the edge, maximizing the clear opening width. The 40 mm option is ADA-compliant for standard door widths and is ideal for narrower doorways where every millimeter of clearance matters.
Do you sell doors?
No. FritsJurgens systems are designed to work with virtually any door material — wood, steel, glass, stone, composite, and more. Work with your installer, designer, or contractor to determine the right door for your project. The system is ordered based on your door's weight, dimensions, desired functionality, and finish preference.
Can I order before I've finalized my door?
It's not recommended. Because each system is configured by weight class, backset, floor plate style, and finish, ordering before you've confirmed your door's weight, function, and dimensions may result in the wrong specification. Use the FritsJurgens Selector once your door details are confirmed.
Questions? Contact sales@cassonhardware.com