Electronic Door Locks 101: A Guide to Access Control Hardware for Commercial Buildings

Your Guide to Electronic Door Locks from GenX Security

When it comes to protecting your business, your doors are your first line of defense—and they’re only as strong as the hardware behind them. From keyless entry systems to full-scale access control integrations, knowing which type of electronic locking hardware is right for your facility isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one.

Whether you're managing a single office suite, a multi-building campus, or a manufacturing facility with critical assets, choosing the wrong lock could mean costly rework, compliance issues, or worse, a security breach.

In this guide, we break down the most common types of commercial-grade door locking hardware from electrified handsets to wireless locks with real-world tips on installation, use cases, and system integration:

1. Electrified Handlesets

2. Electronic Door Strikes

3. Electrified Panic Hardware

4. Magnetic Locks (MagLocks)

5. Wireless Locks

6. Access Control Integration

   
   

If you're working with a professional security integrator like GenX Security Solutions, this is the knowledge you’ll want in your back pocket before the first hole gets drilled.

Electrified Handlesets (Electrified Locksets)

What Are Electrified Handlesets? Electrified handlesets (also known as electrified locksets) are door handles or lock mechanisms that have an internal electronic release. In simple terms, the lock in the door is wired to unlock when it receives a signal from your access control system, such as when a valid keycard is presented. Unlike standalone “smart locks,” electrified locksets have no built-in intelligence – they rely on an external access controller to tell them when to lock or unlock. To anyone using the door, they look and operate much like a normal handle/lock, which is great for maintaining aesthetics.

🔧 Installation: These locks require low-voltage wiring run to the door, typically through a power transfer hinge or door loop. Installation is more involved than electric strikes, often requiring door drilling or lock replacement—but results in a clean, concealed finish.

🚪 Door Compatibility: Available for standard wood or metal doors, including mortise and cylindrical formats. Not suited for frameless glass or narrow aluminum storefront doors—those typically need maglocks or electric strikes.

🛡️ Security Level: High-security Grade 1 options are common, with internal locking mechanisms that resist tampering. Models can be fail-secure (stay locked without power) or fail-safe (unlock during outages), with most allowing a mechanical key override.

🏢 Use Cases: Ideal for offices, campuses, and healthcare settings where you want a standard door appearance with electronic control. Great for high-traffic or sensitive areas like labs, executive suites, and IT rooms.

💰 Budget Impact: Higher upfront cost due to hardware and labor, but it replaces the need for separate strikes or maglocks. Best for locations where aesthetics and durability justify the investment. Always plan for power supplies and battery backup.

Electronic Door Strikes (Electric Strikes)

What Is an Electric Strike? An electric door strike is an electromechanical plate installed in the door frame, replacing the standard strike plate. It acts like a powered latch receiver – when the strike is locked, it holds the door’s latch or bolt in place, and when it’s energized to unlock, it pivots or retracts to let the door open. You can imagine it as the “catch” on the frame that either stays shut like a catcher’s mitt holding the latchbolt or releases it on command to allow entry. Electric strikes work with traditional door hardware (like lever handles or panic bars) on the door – the user typically still turns or pushes the door handle to open, once the strike has released.

🔧 Installation: Electric strikes are installed in the door frame, not the door itself, making them ideal for retrofits. Wiring runs only to the frame, and various models fit different lock types like cylindrical, mortise, or panic bars. Weatherized options are available for exterior doors.

🚪 Door Compatibility: Compatible with most wood or metal doors that have latch-type locks. Not ideal for frameless glass doors but can work with narrow aluminum frames using slim-line models. If a door has a strike plate, it can usually be upgraded to an electric strike.

🛡️ Security Level: Heavy-duty commercial electric strikes are UL listed and configurable as fail-secure (stay locked without power) or fail-safe (unlock during power loss). Many models include built-in sensors for latch or door status monitoring.

🏢 Use Cases: Widely used in offices, apartments, retail, schools, and hospitals. Ideal for main entry points, gates, and interior doors where you want to maintain existing handles. They support free egress and are easy to integrate with fire code requirements.

💰 Budget Impact: Among the most cost-effective access control options. They’re affordable, quick to install, and often allow reuse of existing door hardware. Great ROI with simple maintenance and strong long-term reliability.

Electrified Panic Hardware (Electrified Exit Devices)

What Is Electrified Panic Hardware? “Panic hardware” refers to the push-bar style door mechanisms required on many emergency exits (you’ve likely seen these on theater exits, school doors, etc.). Electrified panic hardware means these exit devices have electronic components to control entry or exit. There are a few forms: an electrified exit bar with latch retraction can unlatch electronically (so the door can be pushed open without physically depressing the bar), or electrified trim where the outside lever can be enabled/disabled electronically while the interior crash bar always allows egress. Other features like delayed egress (which sounds an alarm and delays opening for a few seconds) and request-to-exit sensors can also be part of electrified exit systems. In essence, electrified panic hardware lets you tie those big push-bar doors into your access control system, while still meeting life safety codes that mandate quick exit in emergencies.

🔧 Installation: Installing electrified panic hardware is more complex than standard locks. It may involve retrofitting an existing exit bar or installing a factory-electrified version with wiring through the door or frame. A certified technician ensures code compliance and ties the system into fire alarms if delayed egress is used.

🚪 Door Compatibility: Designed for doors with panic bars, especially exterior exits, stairwells, schools, hospitals, and storefronts. Slim versions fit narrow frames, but they’re not used on standard interior office doors.

🛡️ Security Level: Built for heavy use and emergencies, these Grade 1 devices can integrate sensors, alarms, and delayed egress to prevent unauthorized exits. They balance safety (fast exit) with high security (controlled entry).

🏢 Use Cases: Ideal for high-occupancy or regulated buildings like corporate campuses, hospitals, retail stores, and schools. Common on exit doors where access control and safe egress must work together.

💰 Budget Impact: These are higher-cost solutions due to expensive hardware and precise installation. Additional components like power supplies and relay boards are often required, but they provide essential security and compliance where panic hardware is mandated.

Magnetic Locks (Maglocks)

What Is a Magnetic Lock? A magnetic lock consists of an electromagnet mounted on the door frame and a metal armature plate on the door. When power is applied, the electromagnet strongly attracts the plate, effectively gluing the door shut with magnetic force. When power is cut, the magnet releases and the door can open. Maglocks do not have any moving parts or mechanical latch – their holding force comes purely from the magnetic attraction between the magnet and plate when energized. They are often quite powerful (common models range from 600 lbs up to 1,200+ lbs of holding force). Importantly, magnetic locks are fail-safe by design: if power is lost or cut, the lock will disengage, making them inherently friendly to fire safety (but requiring backup power or other measures to maintain security during outages).

🔧 Installation: Maglocks are surface-mounted at the top of the door and frame, requiring no door prep. Installers must also add exit release devices (motion sensors or push-to-exit buttons) and connect to the fire alarm system for code compliance. Constant power is needed to keep the door secured.

🚪 Door Compatibility: Ideal for glass, aluminum, double, and non-standard doors that can’t accommodate traditional locks. Best used where the door aligns well with the frame and a visible lock is acceptable.

🛡️ Security Level: Maglocks offer strong holding force (600–1,200+ lbs) but release when power is lost, so backup batteries or UPS are essential. They’re reliable, fast-acting, and durable, though they secure only one point of the door and require added sensors for monitoring.

🏢 Use Cases: Common on office lobbies, server rooms, retail storefronts, and internal push/pull doors. Perfect for sleek glass doors or areas where wiring a traditional lock is difficult. Not ideal for high-security zones that must remain locked during outages.

💰 Budget Impact: Moderately priced but require extra components like exit buttons, sensors, and fire alarm integration. Cost-effective for glass or high-traffic doors, especially in retrofit scenarios where minimal structural modification is preferred. Low-maintenance and long-lasting.

Wireless Locks

What Are Wireless Locks? Wireless locks are essentially electronic door locks that communicate without wires to the central access system. They are often battery-powered smart locks designed for commercial use. Examples include Schlage NDE/LE series, ASSA ABLOY Aperio locks, or brands like Latch for multifamily. These units combine the reader, the electrified lock mechanism, and often sensors all in one package on the door, and they use a wireless signal (like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or a proprietary RF) to connect to the access control system. In a sense, they cut down on installation cost by eliminating the need to wire the door – you don’t run cables through the door or frame. Wireless locks can either communicate in real-time to a hub or they might operate offline with periodic updates (some campus systems do this). For many facilities, wireless locks allow you to extend access control to doors that were previously too expensive or difficult to wire.

🔧 Installation: Wireless locks install like standard locks—no wiring to the frame or panel is needed. They connect via a gateway or Wi-Fi and run on batteries, making them ideal for retrofits and finished spaces. Setup involves enrolling the lock into the system and planning for regular battery replacement.

🚪 Door Compatibility: Designed for standard wood or metal doors with cylindrical or mortise preps. Not used on frameless glass, but cabinet and server lock options exist. Some panic bar systems also support wireless kits, offering broad versatility across interior door types.

🛡️ Security Level: Built to commercial-grade standards with encryption, tamper alerts, and secure credential handling. Most are fail-secure by default and include key override. They operate in real time or offline, and maintenance alerts help avoid lockouts from dead batteries.

🏢 Use Cases: Perfect for dorms, offices, healthcare, coworking spaces, and historic buildings. Ideal where wiring is costly or disruptive. Common in hybrid systems—wire main entries and use wireless for interior or hard-to-reach doors.

💰 Budget Impact: While the unit cost is higher than strikes, labor is significantly lower. Fewer wiring needs reduce installation time and expense. Just budget for gateways and battery upkeep. Great ROI for expanding access control affordably and efficiently.

Access Control Integration and Brand Compatibility

No matter which type of electronic lock hardware you choose, it needs to integrate with an access control system (“the brains”) to work effectively. Integration involves controllers or panels that send signals to these locks, software that manages user credentials, and often additional sensors (door position switches, request-to-exit sensors) to ensure everything works safely.

🔧 Wired Locks Integration: Electrified handlesets, strikes, maglocks, and panic hardware connect to door controllers via low-voltage wiring (12V or 24V DC). Controllers handle power, status monitoring, and reader inputs. Fire alarm integration is key for maglocks and fail-safe devices, typically using relay modules. Plan wiring routes or use PoE controllers for larger installations.

📡 Wireless Locks Integration: Wireless locks connect through gateways or hubs to the access control software. Brands like Lenel, S2, Kisi, Openpath, Brivo, and Verkada support integrations with Schlage, Assa Abloy, and others. Wireless locks often require licenses/modules but allow remote management and offline fallback capabilities.

🛡️ Software & Credential Compatibility: Ensure lock hardware supports your credential types (HID, iCLASS, BLE mobile, etc.). Many locks also send system feedback (e.g., door position, forced entry alerts) if sensors are built-in or connected. Most enterprise systems can process this data for alerts and audit trails.

Access Control Brand Integration Matrix

The following table shows common access control system brands (supported by GenX Security Solutions) and which types of hardware they typically integrate with. Virtually all modern systems handle the basic devices (electric strikes, maglocks, etc.), but wireless lock support is where they differ most. This matrix gives a general compatibility overview:

Access Control Brand	Electrified Handlesets	Electric Strikes	Electrified Panic Hardware	Magnetic Locks	Wireless Locks
Lenel OnGuard	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ *	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (Schlage, ASSA Aperio integration)
S2 Security (LenelS2)	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ *	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (Schlage, ASSA Aperio integration)
Avigilon Unity	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ *	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (supports Schlage, third-party locks)
Avigilon Alta (Openpath)	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (Schlage NDE/LE via cloud integration)
Paxton Net2	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes (with kits) ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (Net2 PaxLock wireless, etc.)
Paxton 10	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes (with kits) ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (Paxton wireless locks support)
Gallagher	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (Allegion Schlage & Aperio integration)
Feenics (Keep)	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (Mercury-based wireless integrations)
Hartmann Controls	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (ASSA ABLOY Aperio integration)
Verkada	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (Schlage AD, NDE & Assa Aperio wireless)
Kisi	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (Allegion ENGAGE & others)
Brivo	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (Schlage NDE/LE wireless integration)
Latch	Yes ✔️ (via Latch hardware)	Yes ✔️ (typically for main entry)	Limited (rarely used)	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (proprietary Latch smart locks)
PDK (ProdataKey)	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (ASSA ABLOY Aperio wireless integration)
Zentra (Allegion)	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️	Yes ✔️ (designed for Schlage wireless locks)

Locking It All Together with GenX Security Solutions

Integrating everything might sound complicated, but a good security integrator like GenX Security Solutions will make it seamless. In an installed system, when an employee swipes their card at a reader, the software checks permissions and signals the door’s locking hardware to unlock if authorized. The types of hardware we discussed – whether it’s a sturdy electrified mortise lock or a convenient wireless lock – are the muscle executing those commands. The brains is the access control software, which nowadays can be on-premises or cloud-based.

Access Control Event Sequence

Choosing the right electronic door lock hardware for your facility is about balancing security, convenience, aesthetics, and budget. Often, a combination of these technologies is used: for example, a building might have magnetic locks on lobby doors, electric strikes on offices, and wireless locks on meeting rooms – all controlled by one integrated access system. The good news is these options are not mutually exclusive. With modern access control, you can mix and match to fit each door’s needs, and most systems will manage them in one unified interface.

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At GenX Security Solutions, we proudly serve businesses in all locations across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia with cutting-edge commercial security systems, access control solutions, structured cabling, fire alarms, and professional audio/visual integration. From bustling cities like Greenville and Raleigh to growing industrial hubs like Winston-Salem to hospitality hot spots like Myrtle Beach, our team delivers tailored solutions to meet your business’s unique needs.

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