Question 1

What's the difference between Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 locks?

Accepted Answer

ANSI/BHMA grading tests locks for strength, durability, and security. Grade 1 (best): 10 strikes at 75 ft-lbs (forced entry test), 800,000 cycles (endurance), 360 lbs torque resistance. Required for commercial heavy-traffic. Grade 2 (better): 5 strikes at 75 ft-lbs, 400,000 cycles, 270 lbs torque. Acceptable for commercial light-traffic and residential. Grade 3 (good): 2 strikes, 200,000 cycles, 180 lbs torque. Residential only, not suitable for commercial. Visual clue: Grade 1 deadbolts have 1 inch bolt throw, hardened steel inserts, reinforced strike. Grade 2/3 have shorter bolts, lighter construction. For commercial buildings exterior doors must be Grade 1, interior high-security areas Grade 1, general interior can be Grade 2. Insurance and security compliance often requires Grade 1 for commercial properties.

Question 2

What makes Medeco and Mul-T-Lock more secure than regular locks?

Accepted Answer

High-security cylinders use multi-layer protection. (1) Patent-protected keyways - blanks unavailable at hardware stores, duplication requires factory authorization. (2) Advanced pin mechanisms - Medeco uses rotating sidebar pins, Mul-T-Lock uses telescoping pins, both immune to standard picking. (3) Drill-resistant - hardened steel inserts protect pin chambers. (4) Key control - factory documents every key by serial number. (5) UL 437 listing - tested against forced entry, picking, drilling, pulling. Regular locks have basic pin tumblers pickable in 30-60 seconds, keys copied at any hardware store, cylinders drill out easily, no pick resistance. Premium cost justified as Medeco/Mul-T-Lock cylinder costs $180-$350 vs $35-$60 standard, but provides controlled key duplication (worth thousands in prevented re-keying) plus UL437 security rating required by insurance for some commercial applications.

Question 3

Should I use deadbolts or mortise locks for commercial doors?

Accepted Answer

Depends on door type and security requirements. Deadbolts work better for solid core wood doors, hollow metal doors without mortise pocket, retrofit applications, budget-conscious installations. Advantages include easier installation, lower cost ($280-$750), simple mechanism, good security when Grade 1. Use for office suite doors, back entrances, storage rooms. Mortise locks work better for commercial storefronts, high-traffic entrances, doors requiring both deadbolt and latch, applications needing UL437 rating. Advantages include deadbolt plus latch in one mechanism, heavier construction, better for panic hardware integration, premium aesthetic. Use for main entrances, high-security areas, aluminum storefront doors. Cost runs $550-$1,800 installed. Best practice includes Grade 1 deadbolts for most commercial doors, mortise locks for main entrances and high-security areas, electronic locks for access control integration.

Question 4

Can high-security cylinders be added to existing locks?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most commercial locks accept cylinder replacement (retrofit). Common conversions include replacing Schlage C keyway cylinder with Medeco or Primus high-security cylinder in existing Schlage deadbolt or mortise lock, replacing Kwikset cylinder with Mul-T-Lock in panic hardware, or replacing standard Best IC core with high-security IC core in existing Best system. Process involves removing existing cylinder (screws or cam clips), installing high-security cylinder (may require slight prep), keying to your system, and testing operation. Cost runs $180-$350 per cylinder installed vs $450-$750 for complete new lock. Makes sense when lock bodies are in good condition (Grade 1 or Grade 2), you want key control without replacing all hardware, you need pick/drill resistance but current locks function well, or for incremental security upgrade. Not suitable when lock bodies are damaged, worn out, or Grade 3 (better to replace entire lock).

Question 5

How much does it cost to upgrade commercial building to high-security locks?

Accepted Answer

Depends on building size and security goals. Small office (10 doors) costs $3,500-$6,500 total with strategy of Grade 1 deadbolts on all exterior doors ($450-$650 each), high-security cylinders on main entrance and IT room ($280-$350 each), keep existing interior hardware. Medium building (25 doors) costs $8,000-$15,000 with strategy of high-security mortise locks on main entrance ($850-$1,200), Grade 1 deadbolts on all exterior and sensitive interior ($450-$650 each), standard Grade 2 on general interior ($280-$380). Large building (50+ doors) costs $18,000-$35,000 with phased approach of upgrading exterior and high-security areas first (year 1), adding master key system with restricted keyways (year 2), upgrading remaining interior incrementally. Cost factors include cylinder type (Medeco +40%, Mul-T-Lock +50% vs standard), mortise vs deadbolt (+$200-400), master keying (+$150-300 system design), rekeying existing vs new locks. ROI shows one break-in costs $5,000-$25,000 in damage, theft, business interruption. High-security locks reduce insurance premiums 5-15% annually with break-even typically 2-4 years.

Question 6

What's the most secure lock for a commercial glass door?

Accepted Answer

Glass doors create security challenges requiring specialized solutions. Best option is commercial mortise lock with high-security cylinder in aluminum stile. Advantages include deadbolt plus latch in narrow stile (2.5-3 inches), UL437 high-security rating available, integrates with panic hardware, hardened strike anchor into aluminum frame. Models include Adams Rite MS1850S with Medeco cylinder ($850-$1,200), Kawneer storefront mortise lock ($750-$1,100), Custom aluminum mortise with Mul-T-Lock ($950-$1,400). Alternative mag lock (electromagnetic) with access control provides very high security but requires power and compliance with fire code (must release on alarm), costing $800-$1,500 per door. Supplement with laminated or tempered safety glass (delays break-in), 3M security film (holds glass together when broken), monitored alarm (detection and response). Avoid surface-mounted deadbolts on glass (creates stress points, can break glass) and cheap storefront locks (cylinder drills out easily). Reality is glass is weak point so focus on detection (alarm, cameras) as much as lock strength.

High-Security Commercial Locks Installation

Fortress Architecture

Commercial-Grade Security That Stops Forced Entry

Why Standard Locks Fail

The Weakest Link

Security Vulnerabilities

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Drill Resistance

Commercial Lock Standards

Grade 1 (Highest Security)

Grade 2 (Light Commercial)

UL437 (Pick/Drill Proof)

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Threat Assessment

Hardware Selection

Professional Mounting

Key Control Setup

Applications & Hardware Types

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