The job's not done until the locks are on the door. A beautifully designed and quality built commercial building requires a variety of quality door locks. Careful selection should be made to install the best locks for entryways, fire doors, office doors, restrooms, utility closets and any other location within the building where access and privacy need to be controlled. Contractors should take time to discuss with the client the variety of locks available to meet their security requirements.
The exterior entrances of the building can be secured with a range of deadbolt locks. Security needs will determine whether to use standard or heavy duty lock construction. Standard duty commercial deadbolts work well for office buildings. Heavy duty commercial deadbolts provide the best security. You should look for lock construction that includes a concealed wood frame reinforcer that prevents kick-ins.
You'll probably want to pair a cylindrical lock with a deadbolt to allow ease of entry. Your choices include lever style locks and knob locks. A heavy duty lever lock is suitable for hospitals, factories and even schools. Buildings with less stringent security needs may opt for standard or medium duty lever locks. Some lever locks are also UL listed for use on 3-hour fire doors. Knobs are the traditional doorknob design. These are also available in medium and heavy duty designs. Knob locks are typically reserved for interior doors of commercial buildings
Interconnected locks are an attractive choice for exterior doors of offices, hotels and light-duty commercial buildings. These locks are called interconnected because the handicapped compliant handles unlatch both the handset and the deadbolt when it's depressed. The best interconnected locks have a reinforced deadbolt strike to prevent an intruder from kicking the door open.
Interior doors of the building can be secured with a mortise lock. These locks are both attractive and functional. Heavy duty mortise locks are dependable and designed to withstand high-usage and abuse. This makes them ideal for hospitals and schools. When choosing mortise locks, look for designs that include a free-wheeling lever that resists force when locked.
No matter what types of locks are required in a building, most manufacturers will offer a variety of finishes that can be matched across all styles. This allows for a consistent aesthetic appeal throughout the building. Finishes typically include brass, bronze and stainless steel. Expect to pay from $40 for a simple cylindrical lock up to $300 for the finest mortise locks.
Never skimp on lock purchases--stick with reputable brands such as Schlage. You'll find a full selection of Schlage locks at <a href="http://www.popularhardware.com/schlage/">PopularHardware.com</a>, including the most popular <a href="http://www.popularhardware.com/locks.asp?idCategory=7">ND series</a> lever locks. Popular Hardware deals exclusively to the trade. Yoel Katz is owner of Y. Katz Marketing.
