The wrong door lock can create problems long after installation. Lock that works perfectly in a quiet office may be a poor fit for a busy commercial entrance, an emergency exit, or a door that already has panic hardware.
Electric strikes and magnetic locks both connect to access control systems, but they secure a door in very different ways. One works with the door’s existing latch. The other holds the door closed with an electromagnetic force. Choosing between them comes down to the door, the type of access you need, how the door must behave during a power failure, and the life-safety requirements of the opening.
What Is an Electric Strike?
An electric strike is an electronic locking device installed in the door frame. It replaces the standard strike plate and works with the existing mechanical lock or panic hardware. When access is approved, the strike releases the latch so the door can open.
The mechanical lock remains on the door, which means the door still operates much like a traditional locked door. Access control simply determines when the outside user can release the latch. According to Allegion’s door hardware guide, electric strikes are commonly used with locksets or panic hardware as part of an access control system. Electric strikes are often considered when a building needs controlled entry without completely changing the existing door hardware.
Good to Know:
An electric strike does not replace the door’s entire locking system. It controls the point where the latch enters the frame.
What Is a Magnetic Lock?
Magnetic lock, often called a maglock, uses an electromagnet and a metal armature plate to hold the door closed. Power keeps the magnet engaged. Removing power releases the door. Unlike an electric strike, a magnetic lock does not depend on the door’s mechanical latch to keep the door secured. The magnetic bond itself provides the holding force. Maglocks can work with card readers, keypads, exit devices, request-to-exit devices, and other access control components. The setup is relatively straightforward, which makes magnetic locks useful for certain doors where installing an electric strike would be difficult.
Electric Strike vs Magnetic Lock: How Do They Differ?
Both systems control access electronically, yet their installation, operation, and behavior during an emergency are different.
| Factor | Electric Strike | Magnetic Lock |
|---|---|---|
| How it secures the door | Holds the mechanical latch | Uses electromagnetic force |
| Installation | Installed in the door frame | Mounted on the frame and door |
| Works with existing latch | Yes | No |
| Mechanical lock retained | Yes | Usually not required |
| Power failure | Can be fail-safe or fail-secure | Typically fail-safe |
| Panic hardware compatibility | Yes | Requires careful egress design |
| Access control | Yes | Yes |
| Typical use | Commercial entry doors, offices, controlled entrances | Interior doors, controlled areas, selected perimeter openings |
The biggest practical difference is simple: an electric strike works with the latch, while a magnetic lock holds the door shut from the top or side of the opening.
How Does an Electric Strike Work?
Normal operation starts with the door closed and the mechanical latch sitting inside the electric strike. When someone presents an approved credential, the access control system sends a signal to the strike. The strike then releases its keeper, allowing the latch to pass through as the person opens the door, after the door closes, the latch engages again. That arrangement gives the opening a mechanical locking point while allowing electronic access control from the outside. Existing panic hardware can also remain in place, which makes electric strikes particularly useful for commercial doors that already have exit hardware.
How Does a Magnetic Lock Work?
Magnetic lock takes a different approach. The electromagnet attaches to the frame while the armature plate attaches to the door. Power creates the magnetic bond that holds both pieces together. Authorized access temporarily interrupts that magnetic force. The door can then open until power is restored and the magnet engages again. No latch needs to retract for the magnet to release. That difference can simplify some installations, especially where modifying the existing locking hardware would be difficult.
Which Is More Secure?
Security depends on the entire door system, not simply the type of lock installed. Door construction, hardware, access credentials, installation quality, monitoring, and how the opening responds to forced entry all matter. Electric strikes have an important advantage in applications where the mechanical latch needs to remain part of the door’s security. The strike controls electronic access while the lockset continues to provide the physical latch.
Magnetic locks provide strong holding force, but their security depends on continuous power and proper installation. Removing power releases the magnetic bond. For that reason, a maglock should never be selected based only on its advertised holding force. The complete access and egress system matters more.
What Happens During a Power Failure?
Power failure is one of the biggest differences between these two systems. Electric strikes can be configured as fail-safe or fail-secure, depending on the product and application. Fail-safe means the lock releases when power is removed. Fail-secure means the lock stays locked when power is removed. Magnetic locks are naturally fail-safe. Removing power releases the magnet and allows the door to open.
Fail-Safe vs Fail-Secure
- Fail-safe: Power is removed → the door unlocks.
- Fail-secure: Power is removed → the door remains locked from the secured side.
Neither option should be selected in isolation. Fire alarm operation, emergency egress, building codes, door type, and the purpose of the opening all need to be considered.
Safety Note:
Fire-rated doors and required exit doors have specific requirements. An access control installer should verify the applicable code and hardware requirements before choosing the lock.
Which Lock Is Better for Emergency Exits?
Emergency egress changes the decision completely. People must be able to leave safely, even when access control is active. Electric strikes can work with panic hardware and other exit hardware that provides free egress. Magnetic locks require additional release arrangements because the magnetic lock itself does not provide free egress. Allegion notes that electromagnetic locks require release devices to provide compliant egress, including specific release methods depending on how the lock is controlled. That makes the door’s life-safety requirements just as important as the security requirements.
Which Is Easier to Install?
Installation depends heavily on the existing door and frame. Electric strikes generally require the strike area of the frame to be modified so the new device can accept the existing latch. Some models are designed specifically for retrofit applications and can reduce the amount of frame modification required. Magnetic locks mount to the door frame and door, so they do not require a conventional latch to engage the lock. Wiring and mounting alignment still have to be handled correctly for reliable operation.
Older doors, unusual frames, fire-rated assemblies, and doors with existing panic hardware can change which option makes sense.
Which Is Better for Existing Doors?
Electric strikes often make sense when the existing lockset or panic hardware is worth keeping. The electronic strike adds access control without replacing the entire mechanical locking arrangement. Magnetic locks can make more sense when the door has a configuration that makes conventional electrified locking difficult or when a surface-mounted solution fits the application. The condition of the existing frame matters just as much as the door itself. A lock that looks ideal on paper may require expensive modifications once the actual opening is inspected.
Electric Strike or Magnetic Lock: Which Should You Choose?
The better option depends on what the door needs to do.
Choose an Electric Strike When:
- You want to keep the existing mechanical lock or panic hardware
- The door already has a suitable latch
- You need controlled entry with normal mechanical operation
- The opening requires a specific fail-safe or fail-secure arrangement
- You want electronic access without replacing the entire lockset
Consider a Magnetic Lock When:
- A surface-mounted locking solution fits the door
- The existing mechanical locking arrangement is difficult to electrify
- The access system can properly handle emergency release and egress
- The opening is suitable for a fail-safe locking arrangement
- The door and frame can support the required magnet and armature installation
Door type, existing hardware, security requirements, and life-safety rules should drive the decision rather than choosing the lock with the strongest advertised number.
Final Thoughts: Electric Strike vs Magnetic Lock
Electric strikes and magnetic locks both provide electronic access control, but they solve different door security problems. Electric strikes work with mechanical latches and can integrate well with existing locksets and panic hardware. Magnetic locks use electromagnetic force and release when power is removed. The right choice depends on the door, hardware, access requirements, emergency egress, and applicable code requirements.
Providence Door Company helps businesses evaluate and improve commercial door systems with the right hardware for each opening. Whether you need an electric strike, magnetic lock, commercial door repair, or a complete access-control solution, the team can assess the existing door and determine what the opening actually needs. A secure door should also work reliably every day. Get the hardware, installation, and access control working together instead of treating each piece as a separate problem. Contact Providence Door Company to discuss your commercial door needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electric strike better than a magnetic lock?
Neither is automatically better. Electric strikes work well with mechanical locks and panic hardware, while magnetic locks can suit certain surface-mounted access control applications. The door configuration and safety requirements should determine the choice.
Does an electric strike work during a power outage?
That depends on whether the strike is configured as fail-safe or fail-secure. A fail-safe strike releases when power is removed, while a fail-secure strike remains locked from the secure side.
Does a magnetic lock unlock during a power outage?
Yes. Magnetic locks are fail-safe, so removing power releases the electromagnetic bond. Emergency release requirements still need to be addressed as part of the complete installation.
Can an electric strike work with a panic bar?
Yes. Electric strikes can be designed to work with compatible panic or exit hardware. The specific strike and panic device must be compatible, and the complete opening must meet applicable safety requirements.
Are magnetic locks safe for commercial doors?
They can be used on commercial doors when the complete system is properly designed. Egress, emergency release, fire alarm integration, power failure behavior, and local code requirements must all be considered before installation.
Can Providence Door Company install an electric strike or magnetic lock?
Providence Door Company can help evaluate the door, existing hardware, and access-control requirements to determine which locking solution fits the opening.
