Do you value having the right commercial storefront door locks to keep your business safe? Locks handles, and accompanying hardware all contribute to not only the aesthetic of your storefront but also its ability to withstand harsh use and break-ins. Here’s what you need to know about your options.

Types of Mortise Storefront Locking Hardware

Most storefront doors are made of aluminum frames and feature a hollow cavity along the edge. Because of the construction of a commercial door, hardware installed inside of a door (mortise locks) is a popular choice.

Deadbolts

Deadbolts are a type of lock that features a durable, retractable bolt that slides into a mortise in a door frame. This is a classic and simple option for commercial spaces that don’t need anything fancy but still want high security.

Hook Bolts

A hook bolt is exactly how it sounds. The name comes from the construction of the lock itself, as there is a hook on the bolt. Sliding storefront doors work best for hook bolts.

Deadlatches

Unlike a deadbolt, a deadlatch will lock behind you automatically after closing the door. You can also manually enter a key to lock the door from the inside. This type of commercial storefront door lock is a good idea for buildings that require after-hours entry, such as gyms or private office spaces.

Types of Storefront Door Entry Hardware

Storefront entry hardware builds upon the base of the lock you choose to create a durable, secure, functional entryway. Here are three popular options to start your search for the right entry hardware.  

Levers

A lever is a type of door entry hardware that functions similarly to a knob and is arguably the most common type of door handle. Levers come in all sorts of styles and shapes, and they are ADA-compliant for those with disabilities.

Pull Handles

Pull handles are another very common type of storefront entry har

Thanksgiving is a time to feast and express gratitude for the little things, which means not having to worry about a kitchen fire or pet escaping through an open door. Here are a few tips to have a safe Thanksgiving this year that you can actually feel thankful about.

1. Prepare for Kids and Pets

Will you expect pets and kids over this Thanksgiving? If so, prepare by kid and pet-proofing your house. Put any candles or sharp objects out of reach and off tables that little ones could knock over. Have kids' snacks and toys on hand, and buy a small bag of dog food or treats to spoil the family pooch.

2. Watch the Stove Closely

According to the NFPA, Thanksgiving leads the way for most home fires involving cooking equipment. If you have a gas stove, the chance of fire is higher than for electric stovetops. So, stay in the kitchen while cooking food to keep an eye on things. Beyond fires, you’d hate to burn the pie!

3. Keep an Extra Lid or Baking Sheet Nearby

Have an extra cookie sheet or lid nearby. In case a fire does flame up—considering that it is flaming up contained within a pan—you can use this lid or baking sheet to cover the pan and smother the fire. Keep the lid or baking sheet tightly over the pan until the flame disappears.

4. Plan for Dietary Restrictions

Before you start preparing a huge menu to cook on Thanksgiving, consider your guests’ dietary restrictions. Is someone on your guest list allergic to spinach? Lactose intolerant? Diabetic? Vegan? Ask everyone who plans on coming over if they have dietary restrictions, then plan your meals accordingly.

5. Use Smart Locks That Lock Automatically

You will likely have handfuls of people coming in and out of your house all day long. Whether it be guests arriving and leaving or heading indoors

It’s almost that time of year again when trick-or-treaters line the streets, waiting to fill their basket with chocolates and candy. While spooks and scares will run rampant this Halloween, make sure the not-so-fun kind doesn’t happen at your house. Follow these six home safety tips to protect yourself, your home, and candy-seekers this Halloween

1. Brighten Visibility

Though darkness sets the mood for Halloween, it’s important to keep walkways and the front porch brightly lit. Keeping things well-lit helps trick-r-treaters find their way to your door and avoids stumbles or wandering to the wrong part of your home. Plus, you can keep a better eye out for any Halloween mischievousness.

2. Make a Clear Path for Trick-R-Treaters

Jumping off the point above, clear a direct path for potential trick-r-treaters. That means cleaning leaves or fallen tree debris from your sidewalk, walkways, and front porch. Move potted plants to the sides to prevent people from accidentally stumbling over them, too. Do this the day before or the day of.

3. Use Motion Sensors

After trick-or-treaters have come and gone, activate those motion sensor lights. Usually, any mischievous behavior happens late in the night on Halloween. A motion sensor will help scare away mischief makers by illuminating your property. The reason we suggest waiting to use motion sensors until the candy runs out is that you should have your porch light always on during trick-or-treating hours.

4. No Slip Steps

If you have steep steps or steps that get slippery in damp weather, the last thing you’d want is for you or someone’s child to slip and fall. You could apply friction tape to the edge of each step to help solve this issue.

5. Keep an Eye on Your Cars

Do you keep your car parke

The holidays, particularly from October to November, are a crazy time of year for retail stores and their employees. With Black Friday and Christmas shopping underway, large and small retail businesses ramp up operations.

High storefront traffic usually leads to chaos, as workers are stressed out and customers are more demanding. So, practicing business storefront safety during the holiday season is critical to ensure that shoppers and employees avoid accidents and injuries.

Business Storefront Safety Tips for the Holidays

Many things can go wrong, from excessive strain due to restocking shelves to storefront overcrowding. Minimize potential hazards and ensure your commercial space, retail practices, and operations are up to par for the holiday rush. Here are five ways you can indirectly keep your workers and customers safe.

1. Keep Emergency Exits Clear

The first rule of storefront safety is keeping all emergency exits clear at all times. Train your employees not to stack boxes, merchandise, or ladders near exit doors. This would be a severe hazard if a fire or other emergency happened.

2. Use the Best Entry Hardware

Your commercial door hardware is the first physical contact between the building and your workers and customers. Ensure that your doors have commercial-grade fittings, locks, and hardware to stand up to the hundreds of people who come through your doors every month.

3. Create an Emergency Response Plan

Does your store have emergency response plans in place? The holidays pose a unique set of challenges that you may not face during the rest of the year. For example, if your storefront safety is compromised because of large crowds, make sure your employees know how to respond. Brief your workers on each emergency response plan that’s in place, and go through a practice run outside of opening h

Need to install pocket door hardware, such as a pull handle? Keep reading.

Pocket doors are an excellent solution to saving space in your home. Beyond creating the cutout itself and mounting the frame, installing pocket door hardware is essential to creating a functioning pull-out door. This type of door requires unique door pulls and latches that fit snugly against the door’s surface.

Though there are a few different styles to choose from, traditional pocket door pulls that have a grooved finger notch are the most common. Regardless of your choice, you will need to follow a similar procedure to install the pocket door hardware that involves a bit of cutting and drilling.

Mark the Cuts

Begin by marking the cuts on the edge of the door where the latch and door pull will sit. Be precise in this step in the hardware installation process. The cut should be exact since there is little forgiveness in a cut that is even a few centimeters off. You can always make the cut bigger, but you can’t make it smaller.

Begin Cutting With a Jigsaw

Once you finalize the markings, grab a multi-tool like a jigsaw and begin cutting out the notch for the pocket door hardware. Remember not to cut all the way through the door from one side. Cut halfway through on one side and then halfway through on the other side.

Secure the Hardware

Finally, slide the hardware in place. This is where you might need to drill holes for wood screws to secure the hardware in place. Grab your screwdriver and power drill to make final adjustments and attach components together.

Commonly Asked Questions About Pocket Door Hardware Ins

You probably don’t give much thought to the door knobs around your home or in the various buildings you enter and exit every day. When it is time to get a new one, you might find yourself looking at replacements and wondering why you never thought about the security or durability of such a simple piece of door hardware before. However, function and security matter just as much as style. Let’s dive into our pick of the best door knobs for 2022.

5 Best Door Knobs for 2022

View our five door knob recommendations to level up your space this year. These door knobs are listed in no particular order, but we picked each one based on quality, fan favorites, ergonomics, and durability.

1. Kwikset Pismo Door Knob

The Kwikset Prismo door knob is sleek and modern. It features a germ-repellent Microban coating, an emergency key, and a lifetime warranty. The build is metal with a variety of finish options, plus a latch and hardware are included for easy installation on any interior door that will require locking.

2. Schlage Plymouth Passage

This door knob by Schlage is one of our top door knobs for 2022. It is a passage knob, meaning the design is lock-free and provides a standard twisting function to open and close doors. It is ideal for interior rooms, such as pantries and closets, that do not need to be locked. It adjusts to fit standard doors and is easily installed.

3. Emtek Beaded Egg Knobset

Sturdy and creative in design, the Emtek knobset adds security and flair to

Though one of the most commonly used functions of any building, door handles are usually overlooked as a simple décor element. While they do accent the aesthetics of a space and make a small visual statement, door levers play a part in the ease (or challenge) of opening and closing a door.

Finding the best door handle for your commercial space involves narrowing down your options based on budget, style, function, installation, and

5 Best Door Handles and Levers

View our five door handle recommendations to level up your space this year. These door levers are listed in no particular order, but we picked each based on quality, fan favorites, ergonomics, and durability.

1. Kwikset 91550-023 Lisbon Door Handle

A picture of sleek and polished steel, this door handle by Kwikset is ideal for interior rooms in modern, contemporary spaces. The square backplate combined with the slim door lever feels classic and upscale. This handle is compliant with the ADA for those with disabilities, and it is ANSI grade 2—a durable choice for commercial spaces.

2. Emtek Helios Key in Lever with Square Rosette

Add vintage flair to your space with this top door handle by Emtek. This design features a modern rectangle rosette and a slim squared lever. It features a Schlage C keyway and a standard latch for 2 3/8” backset. Installation is also easy.

3. Probrico Privacy Door Levers

This lever by Probrico is one of the best door handles for interior commercial or residential spaces, such as interior bathrooms or offices. It is made with stainless steel, and the handle is in a wave style. These door

Changing a storefront door lock can feel intimidating, especially since locks play a major role in commercial property security.

Regardless of your reason for swapping out your commercial door lock, with a few simple steps, you’ll be able to replace your lock with ease. Keep reading to learn how to replace your storefront door lock quickly and efficiently.

1. Identify What Type of Door Lock You Have

There are a few common types of storefront door locks, each requiring a different method of removal and replacement. Before you prepare to replace your lock, check if the current door lock is a deadlock, hook bolt, or deadlatch. If you have automatic sliding doors, this is probably a hook bolt lock. Swinging doors are usually deadlatch or deadlocks.

2. Remove the Previous Lock

In order to access the lock body, you’ll need to unscrew the three screws on the faceplate. This is the visible outer piece of your door lock. After that, you’ll remove the lock cylinders using the two parallel screws in the middle of the lock body.

Then, gently loosen the lock body attachment screws located on the top and bottom of the lock body. Don’t remove them altogether. Once loosened, you can unscrew the two cylinder screws from the lock body. Now remove the old lock from the lock stile.

3. Install Your New Lock

Similarly to how you removed the old lock, you’ll insert the new lock body into the lock stile. Use the top and bottom screws to screw the pieces together, bonding them as one unit.

4. Install Exterior Lock Cylinder

At this point, the two black screws in the lock body should be loosened. The lock cylinder will have small indents along the side where the black screws will rest. Start by screwing the outside cylinder lock into the lock body.

Keep screwing gently until you feel the screws align with the

Read on to learn which door lock brands we know and trust for your school

School locks are an essential part of school safety. As more institutions strive to keep staff and students safe, door lock upgrades are a great place to start. The quality of your door lock can influence deployment speed, durability, security, and resilience against intruders.

This blog post will cover the five best door lock brands for schools. These lock brands are listed in no particular order, and we created this list based on the brand’s reputation, extensive product line, strength, and overall reputatio

1. Mul-T-Lock

Mul-T-Lock is known for accommodating a variety of security requirements through industry-leading lock systems. They have a diverse selection of basic, advanced, and automatic door lock options for every school’s needs. If you’re on the hunt for the best door lock brand for schools, you can’t overlook Mul-T-Lock.

2. Corbin Russwin

Corbin Russwin is an excellent brand for bored/cylindrical locks, mortise locks, exit devices, and status indicators. A collection of their locks comes with classroom security functions and security kits, providing teachers with ample tools to keep children safe in an emergency situation.

3. SARGENT

SARGENT is another brand leading the way in school security endeavors. They offer standard door lock options as well as integrated wired and power over ethernet lockdown locks. As more school transition to advanced technology solutions, brands like SARGENT are gaining popularity.

4. RR Brink

RR Brink is the same door lock brand that many prison systems use today.

Changing a storefront door lock can feel intimidating, especially since locks play a major role in commercial property security.

Regardless of your reason for swapping out your commercial door lock, with a few simple steps, you’ll be able to replace your lock with ease. Keep reading to learn how to replace your storefront door lock quickly and efficiently.

1. Identify What Type of Door Lock You Have

There are a few common types of storefront door locks, each requiring a different method of removal and replacement. Before you prepare to replace your lock, check if the current door lock is a deadlock, hook bolt, or deadlatch. If you have automatic sliding doors, this is probably a hook bolt lock. Swinging doors are usually deadlatch or deadlocks.

2. Remove the Previous Lock

In order to access the lock body, you’ll need to unscrew the three screws on the faceplate. This is the visible outer piece of your door lock. After that, you’ll remove the lock cylinders using the two parallel screws in the middle of the lock body.

Then, gently loosen the lock body attachment screws located on the top and bottom of the lock body. Don’t remove them altogether. Once loosened, you can unscrew the two cylinder screws from the lock body. Now remove the old lock from the lock stile.

3. Install Your New Lock

Similarly to how you removed the old lock, you’ll insert the new lock body into the lock stile. Use the top and bottom screws to screw the pieces together, bonding them as one unit.

4. Install Exterior Lock Cylinder

At this point, the two black screws in the lock body should be loosened. The lock cylinder will have small indents along the side where the black screws will rest. Start by screwing the outside cylinder lock into the lock body.

Keep screwing gently until you feel the screws align with the