Door Lock Types for Commercial Properties: Balancing Security and Access

Commercial properties are complex structures with a very specific purpose, typically to house a business while granting access to the employees and customers of that business while providing all-round security for the lives and properties contained within.

Choosing the appropriate door lock types for commercial properties is a bit of an art that has to be curated carefully with skills and experience.

This article discusses the best door lock types for commercial properties that provide you with a balance of security and access while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of your commercial building.

What Are Commercial Door Locks?

The security requirements for commercial properties are not the same as those for residential buildings. Commercial properties are required by law and, due to the nature of risk involved in keeping their commodities and intellectual properties safe, to adhere to strict security guidelines.

Commercial door locks are mechanical/electronic mechanisms designed, tested, and graded for use in commercial properties like industrial establishments, offices, factories, and other similar facilities.

Commercial door locks are designed for higher durability, security, application, functionality, cycles, material, and finish ratings than their residential counterparts.

Most door lock types for commercial properties are graded in three levels, namely grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3, with grade 1 being the strongest locks and grade 3 being the lightweight locks.

Different Door Lock Types for Commercial Properties

Different door lock types exist for commercial properties, and they include:

• Cylindrical Locks: Cylindrical locks are typically installed via a hole cut through the door laterally. Cylindrical locks usually feature a lever and a knob. The cylindrical lock mechanism is usually easy to install and can be easily removed as well. Commercial-grade cylindrical door locks are mostly used in internal doors.
• Mortise Locks (Fan Favorite): Mortise locks are door lock mechanisms that require their locking mechanism to be installed inside the mortise pocket (a hole in the frame of the door) of the door. A mortise lock is offered as both a commercial and residential lock, depending on your needs and is typically used on exterior doors depending on the type. There are various kinds of commercial mortise locks you can choose from.
• Magnetic Locks: Magnetic locks use a combination of electricity and magnetism to lock a door in place or grant entry. Magnetic locks can work with other forms of entry door lock systems like biometrics, swipe cards, electronic locks, and more.

Magnetic locks use an electromagnet on the door frame and a metal armature plate on the door to secure the door.

• Keyless Locks: As the name implies, commercial keyless locks are locking mechanisms that allow users to unlock a door without a physical key, typically using a keypad, key card, or a biometric scanner, and are typically powered by electricity and may be connected to the internet in some cases. It is not uncommon to find keyless locks with the option to use a physical key.

Keyless locks are also known as smart locks, especially the ones that allow the user to unlock the door with an internet-connected phone.

• Electric Strikes: Electric strikes are locks that allow a door to be unlocked mechanically using an electrical strike instead of a mechanical one.

Electric strike door locks need to be connected to a power supply, and when an electric strike is activated, the door opens by releasing the latch holding the door in place. Electric strike doors are a version of automatic locks since the strike remains locked from outside and locked automatically behind you once it closes.

Note: In the case of power failure, an electric strike door can be opened from inside using the locket or panic bar.

The Advantage of Using Smart Door Lock Systems for Commercial Properties

Many commercial structures typically feature top-tier door locks and integrated security systems. However, the integration of smart door lock systems into the overall security system of commercial properties has been a game changer for security operatives and office users.

Some of the typical features that come with most smart door lock systems include:

• Intrusion Detection Systems: Smart locks can be easily integrated with an intrusion detection system to keep your facility safe at all times.
• Contactless Access Control: This is especially useful in highly secured health facilities that require a top-tier level of contactless door operation. Smart doors can be opened using hand-free methods such as voice recognition and retinal scans.
• Video Surveillance and Recording: Smart locks integrate easily with surveillance systems to trigger recording and surveillance in specific regions in your facility.
• Visitor Database and Management Systems: Since smart locks require anyone coming in or out of your facility to log in their information somehow before access is granted, this traffic information can be stored and analyzed on a database using an access control system.
• Integration with Other Commercial Security Systems: Smart locks integrate well with other commercial security systems such as alarms, access control, Frontpoint, smoke detectors, cybersecurity, perimeter security, integrated systems, elevators, park gates, garage doors, and lots more.

The One-Stop Shop for All Your Security Needs – All Security Equipment

Commercial properties typically require a combination of different door lock types, including deadbolt locks, combination locks, smart door locks, cylindrical locks, mortise locks with multipoint lock systems, and biometric locks, to name a few.

As a commercial property owner, you need a security ecosystem that you can rely on, and the door locks that you use for your commercial property are critical to the security and accessibility of your property.

All Security Equipment provides commercial property and residential property owners with everything ranging from military-grade security systems to high-quality residential door locks and surveillance cameras.

Commercial facilities require expert consultation for a fully integrated security setup that suits their peculiar needs. Our team is always available to provide you with expert advice based on their experience and a careful assessment of your facility.

Contact us today for the best door locks for your commercial property.