Did you know that over a third of burglars enter a property through the front door? Getting the right lock for the front door in your home is crucial to keep your family and yourself from burglars.
When choosing the best type of door lock for your home’s security, you might have come across several traditional and new door locks. Magnetic door locks and electronic door locks are popular options that many homeowners choose to protect their homes from would-be criminals.
Of course, it would not make sense to get both types of door locks because that might not be the most practical solution. Today, we’ll give you a breakdown of these two types of door locks to help you make a well-informed decision when investing in a new door locking system for your home.
What are Magnetic Door Locks?
Also called maglocks, magnetic door locks are locking systems that use electromagnets to secure the door in place. These door locks use a low-voltage electromagnet attached to the frame of the door and a metal plate in the door frame to keep the door locked.
You can connect magnetic door locks to several types of access control systems, including smartphone applications to access the doors. Maglock systems typically require keycards, key fobs, or pass codes.
Advantages
- Magnetic door locks are strong, durable, and give you a long-lasting performance.
- You can mount magnetic locks on various types of doors — even glass doors.
- You don’t need to cut new keys for these locks, making them cost-effective in the long run.
- They can withstand a significant amount of force, providing great protection for your front door.
- Since these locks don’t have a lot of mechanical parts, there is little to no wear and tear, making them a long-lasting solution.
Disadvantages
- These doors cannot be bypassed mechanically, making them a risk during situations when people need to exit the building in emergencies and they don’t have the key or fob.
- Magnetic door locks require constant power to function. A power outage can disengage the lock, leaving the door vulnerable. Some systems come with backup batteries, but they can die out during prolonged power outages.
- People can gain access to your home if they get their hands on misplaced keycards or key fobs.
What are Electronic Door Locks?
Also called electric strike locks, electronic door locks are door locking systems that also use an electricity-enabled mechanism to lock the door. When you supply power to electronic door locks, the lock bolt or latch in the system is secured in place, keeping the door locked until you activate the release system to disengage the lock.
Electric strike doors effectively perform the function of a mechanical lock but are powered by electricity. These locks are installed inside door frames, where they replace the standard lock strike plate. Instead, a hinged metal piece provides the latch. A small motor is connected to the power supply. When a current passes through it, it holds the strike plate in a locked position to keep the door secure. You can use these with different types of access control systems, including key cards, key fobs, and keypads with access codes.
Advantages
- Electric strike doors can remain locked, even when there is no power to the building. Of course, if you’re locked out of your house, you need to call experts for home lockout services.
- Electronic door locks can still operate if there is a mechanical release available on the inside of the door.
- Electric strike doors are more cost-effective in the long run because you don’t need to cut new keys for them.
Disadvantages
- Depending on the quality, electric strike doors can be prone to failure because of how complex the locks are compared to maglock systems.
- These doors are more susceptible to mechanical bypass methods.
- They can be difficult to install on door frames made with tougher materials like aluminum because they require thicker spaces for the door.
Magnetic or Electronic Door Locks: Which is Better?
As you can see, both types of door locks come with their benefits and drawbacks. There is never a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to selecting an electromagnetic locking system for your home. Magnetic and electric door locks are better suited for businesses and commercial properties, but it is not uncommon to see them installed in homes due to the convenience they offer.
We hope reading this post gives you a better perspective on both types of locks so you can easily decide which one to get for your home. We recommend consulting with security professionals to determine which type of door lock is more suitable to provide you with the best security for your home.
