Types of commercial locks: A buyer’s guide

Commercial security is of paramount importance to businesses worldwide, no matter how small or large. One broken lock or missing key can cause a major security breach, putting your sensitive information in danger and employees and clients in harm’s way. Top companies that take their business seriously rely on the best locking systems available in the market to fortify their properties and build a safe zone around critical areas such as data storage centers and staff rooms. When it comes to locks, there are various types and categories of commercial-grade locks businesses can purchase depending on their security needs as well as budget. For this, you will need the services of a highly dependable commercial locksmith in Lauderhill, FL. From helping businesses find the best-quality lock within their price range to setting it up at their property, The Honest Locksmith provides end-to-end locksmith solutions to a wide range of businesses in Lauderhill. Our locksmiths are qualified professionals with years of field experience and an in-depth understanding of commercial-grade security locks. Moreover, in an era where commercial locksmiths in Lauderhill, FL make lofty promises and quote an insane sum of money, The Honest Locksmith is a rare breed of experts who deliver top-quality solutions at highly affordable prices.

Now that we have helped you settle the problem of finding a good commercial locksmith in Lauderhill, FL, let’s focus on the type of locks you can choose from. First, you need to understand the three grades of commercial locks.

Grade 1: These are heavy-duty commercial locks that offer the most strength and are highly durable. Typically, Grade 1 locks are used at schools, hospitals, banks and other businesses with very high-security needs. They can be used in both exterior and interior doors and provide almost twice the amount of strength as Grade 2 or 3 locks.

Grade 2: These are sturdy mid-range locks that offer good security. They are used for exterior entrances with low or medium footfall or interior doors which require better security.

Grade 3: These are locks primarily used in residential buildings and offices that do not require heavy security. They are good for break rooms or supply closets.

Types of commercial security locks

Mortise locks

These are powerful front door locks that are extremely useful for offices with high foot traffic. They come as part of an extensive lockset which comprises a cylinder and the locking mechanism. Mortise basically refers to a hole or recess cut into the wall which allows the lock to be inserted. Since the deadbolt of the lock is hidden from view, it is much tougher to be breached by an outsider with the use of heavy force. Plus, these locks are built for heavy use, which makes them a viable option for commercial spaces.

Cylindrical locks

Unlike mortise locks, cylindrical locks are installed through the door and are operated with the use of a level or knob. Instead of drilling a hole in the wall, the lock is drilled via two round holes in the door. They can be used with a key, combination or a push button. Since the levers come in a variety of shapes and styles, they also add to the aesthetic appeal of your décor.

Magnetic locks

Magnetic locks or maglocks are ideal for interior doors within the organization. The setup and functioning of these locks are very simple. They comprise an electromagnet and an armature plate. Whenever the electricity passes through the magnet, it creates a powerful force attaching it to the plate, thereby creating a locking mechanism. The good thing about maglock is that it is fail-safe. It means that in case the power goes off, the door automatically unlocks and allows for a quicker entry or exit. This negates the need of calling an emergency locksmith or acommercial locksmith in Lauderhill, FL during a crisis. Maglocks come in various forms. Commercial-grade maglocks have a holding force of up to 2,000 lbf.

Electric strike locks

These are locks that are used with a combination of another lock, such as a keypad or panic bar. Their operation is rather simple. The electric strike has a metal latch that remains locked when the door is shut. When activated (when the lock receives current), the electric strike moves the metal piece to unlock the door. The function is quite similar to that of a door buzzer which is pressed to gain entry into a building. There are two types of electric strike locks. A fail-secure lock remains locked when there is no electricity while the fail-safe one gets unlocked during a power outage.

Keypad door locks

As the name suggests, keypad locks allow people entry into the building upon entering a numerical pin code. Usually, the locks either have a keypad with buttons. The modern variants have a touchscreen with a similar keypad display. Some keypad locks get locked for a length of time if too many incorrect options are submitted by the user. These locks allow businesses to eliminate the need for keys.

Smart locks

Smart locks are highly sophisticated modern locks that can be connected to a smartphone, allowing people to lock or unlock the door using their hand-held devices. Most smart lock companies have a mobile app that has to be downloaded into the phone to operate the lock. You don't have to be physically present at the location to operate a smart lock since it can be controlled from anywhere.

Looking for a lock change or want to know more about hiring commercial locksmith in Lauderhill, FL, get in touch with The Honest Locksmith now at 954-890-3231