Mag Lock vs Electric Strike

It's never easy to know which lock type is best as each has their own pluses and minuses.  In general, electric strikes are less expensive to buy, but more expensive to install.

Electric strikes require a special frame prep.  New construction allows the factory to prep the frame with the special prep.  A retrofit opening will need the frame to be "notched" in the field, a job best left to professionals.

Another factor is the type of lock on the door.  Will the door use a standard lock, an exit device or have no lock at all?

In short, electric strikes work with an existing lock, but mag locks are the lock.

Pros and Cons

Electric strikes are designed to be used with a door lock, whether it be a standard commercial lock or an exit device.  It is like an "add-on" to an existing opening. 

But a mag lock is just one part of a "system".  All components of the system must work together for the opening to function properly.  Within that system, the lock is the mag lock itself.

To learn more about mag locks, see our Mag Lock Ordering Guide.

Mag Locks

The key to understand mag locks is that they lock people inside the building as well as locking them out. A release mechanism must be installed inside the door. Otherwise, you trap people in the building.

• Requires release device on inside of door
• Requires filler plate or other type of mounting bracket
• Relatively easy to install (example installation)

Electric Strikes

The faceplate of the strike is shaped to work with just one type of lock.  It may be a standard commercial lock or a mortise lock. The faceplate must hold the latch of the lock in place. Different types of locks use different types of latches.  For example, the latch of an exit device is much different than that of a standard commercial lock.  Pay attention to your latch type before ordering an electric strike. Each faceplate style works with only one lock type.

• Requires a special frame prep (notch) (example installation)
• Running wires behind a door frame is tricky on existing doors
• Relatively inexpensive compared to mag locks
• Available for low traffic or heavy duty for high traffic

Other Options

Access Control does not have to be electronic.

The easiest method of adding access control is replacing the existing lock.

Some locks are completely mechanical.  A single code is entered using the push buttons to gain entry.  All users have the same code.

If you need multiple codes to be used, battery powered versions are available that can hold different codes.

See examples of both lock types here.