Most people tend to overlook the role that door locks play in the industrial environment. After all, in an industrial setting with so many machines and processes going on, it’s easy to disregard something as inconspicuous as a door lock.
While industrial door locks are often taken for granted, their true importance is immediately apparent when they stop working, and you need to fix or replace them fast. This is why using quality heavy duty hardware for industrial doors is crucial – it’s what separates a vulnerable entry from one that truly stands up to daily use and potential break-ins.
The Different Door Lock Hardware Components
Handle
A lock handle is the part you grab hold of whenever you open or close a door. While it might seem like a simple component, it’s designed to survive daily use and still stay functional.
Some doors come with a knob, and others come with a lever, which is mostly used in commercial and industrial settings. When looking to upgrade heavy duty hardware for doors in an industrial setting, it’s important to invest in locks designed with durability in mind so they can live up to the demands of the environment.
Latch
The latch is the spring-loaded component that keeps the door shut when you lock it. Turning the handle helps the latch tuck away so you can open the door, and if you let go of it, it goes back in to hold the door firmly in place. When part of heavy-duty door hardware, the latch is built to handle impacts and repeated use without wearing out quickly.
Strike Plate
Located on the door frame, the strike plate is a simple yet essential metal plate since it’s what the latch or bolt slides into when the door is closed. In contemporary door designs, this might be a thin layer of metal, but when it comes to heavy-duty hardware, it’s much thicker and attached with strong screws for added resistance to forced entry.
Deadbolt
A deadbolt is what gives an additional layer of defence as it slides a solid chunk of metal deep into the frame, instead of relying on a spring. This design makes it far more difficult for someone to break in. Most industrial door hardware sets come with a deadbolt, since it’s one of the best ways to ensure superior locking strength.
Barrel
Hidden inside the lock, the barrel holds the component in which the key goes when you’re about to lock or unlock a door. The correct key lines up with the pins in the barrel, and it then turns to the side that corresponds with what you’re trying to do. When used as part of heavy-duty hardware, this component is reinforced in order to resist picking and drilling, and is generally able to outlast the more affordable options.
Faceplate
You’ll find the faceplate along the edge of the door, in the form of a flat strip of metal placed around the latch and bolt openings. As a part that gets exposed to impacts and repeated use, the faceplate is often much sturdier than other components, as it’s responsible for keeping the rest of the mechanism secure and functioning.
Escutcheon
Fitted around the handle or keyhole, the escutcheon is both a protective and decorative piece of trim. Its job is to block dust and attempts at tampering with the lock. It also improves the appearance of the lock with a clean finish that matches the rest of the hardware.
Common Types of Door Locks
Restricted Key
A restricted key lock uses a key design controlled by a single provider. This means you can’t just have keys cut at your local shop, and it keeps control of how many copies of the same key are around. When it comes to commercial and industrial spaces, this limits unauthorised access and improves long-term security.
Keyless
Keyless locks offer more advanced security as they aren’t susceptible to picking and drilling. Whether it’s a keypad, swipe card or biometric scan, these systems are mainly used in high-traffic areas where security is of utmost importance.
Master Key
A master key system allows certain keys to open multiple locks, while others only open one. Office buildings and industrial complexes use this setup when managers require access everywhere, but workers don’t. When combined with heavy-duty hardware, this type of door lock provides a lot of flexibility without sacrificing security.
Mortise
Mortise locks are fitted into a pocket within the door itself and are a common sight in commercial properties. These models usually bring together the handle, latch and deadbolt into one piece. Mortise locks can deliver years of trouble-free use with minimal maintenance.
Magnetic
A magnetic lock uses a magnet and a metal plate instead of a moving bolt. When in use, the magnet holds the door secure, which is what makes these locks often used in places that require remote access. When paired with a proper backup, magnetic locks fit right in with modern door hardware.
Electric Strike
Instead of a regular strike plate, an electric strike fits into the door frame and can be triggered remotely. These locks put convenience as their main advantage since they allow staff members to let people in without leaving their desks. As a fundamental component, electric strikes help increase tampering protection while improving accessibility at the same time.
