Types of Commercial Door Hardware: 7 Essentials Explained

Commercial door hardware is the backbone of a building’s security, accessibility, and functionality—but what exactly qualifies as “essential”?

Unlike residential fixtures, commercial hardware must withstand high traffic, meet stringent codes, and adapt to diverse operational demands. Neglecting even one piece can compromise security, disrupt workflows, or escalate long-term costs.

This guide breaks down seven critical types of commercial door hardware, clarifying their purpose, variations, and industry-specific applications.

Ready to move beyond basics? Let’s explore commercial door hardware types that keep your spaces secure, functional, and code-compliant.

Securing entrances and managing access is crucial in commercial spaces. The right types of commercial door hardware ensure safety, compliance, and durability.

Installed through bored holes in the door, cylindrical locks are a go-to choice for offices, classrooms, and interior rooms. Their durability is classified by ANSI grading:

• Grade 1: Heavy-duty (1M+ cycles) for high-traffic areas like hospitals and government buildings.

• Grade 2: Mid-range (400K cycles) for low-traffic exterior doors or secure interior spaces.
• Grade 3: Light-duty (200K cycles) for closets or infrequently used rooms.

Built into the door’s edge, mortise locks provide higher security for critical areas like server rooms and pharmacies. They come in two main categories:

• Institutional Grade: Reinforced steel plates and anti-pick pins for prisons, mental health facilities, and high-security zones.
• Commercial Grade: Fire-rated and durable for hotels, office buildings, and mixed-use spaces.

A staple in offices, classrooms, and interior commercial spaces, cylindrical locks are installed through bored holes in the door. Their durability is classified into three grades:

• Grade 1: Heavy-duty (1 million+ cycles) for high-traffic exterior doors in hospitals, government buildings, and schools.

• Grade 2: Mid-range (400,000 cycles) for low-traffic exterior doors or secure interior spaces like private offices.
• Grade 3: Standard (200,000 cycles) for closets, break rooms, and infrequently used spaces.

The backbone of physical security, deadbolts add a hardened layer of protection beyond standard locks, making them the go-to staple in commercial settings. 

• Single Cylinder: Key-operated from the outside, thumb-turn from the inside. Common in offices and retail spaces, but vulnerable near glass.

• Double Cylinder: Key-required on both sides. Prevents break-ins through glass doors but may hinder emergency exits.

• Classroom Function: Locks from the outside with a key while allowing free exit from the inside for safety.

Electronic locks offer keyless access control, often managed through a central system.

• Keypad Locks: Require numeric codes—ideal for storage rooms and shared workspaces. Must include anti-tamper features to prevent code theft.

• Card Reader Systems: Use magnetic cards or RFID chips for secure access.

• Biometric Locks: Authenticate users via fingerprints or retina scans. Used in high-security environments like labs.

• Smart Locks & Mobile Access: Allow remote access via mobile apps—great for granting temporary entry to contractors.

Exit devices, or panic hardware, enable fast emergency egress with horizontal push bars that open doors with minimal force. They open doors swiftly with minimal force applied to the bar, keeping escape routes accessible even without power.

• Rim Exit Devices: Surface-mounted push bars—cost-effective for schools and theaters.

• Mortise Exit Devices: Recessed into the door’s edge for a sleek, corporate-friendly look.

• Vertical Rod Exit Devices: Secure double doors at the top and bottom with metal rods.

• Concealed Vertical Rod Devices: Hide the rods inside the door for aesthetics without sacrificing security.

Explore a complete guide to choosing the right commercial door lock types for better access control

Door closers control door movement to prevent slamming and ensure doors self-close securely after use. Their spring-loaded mechanisms regulate closing speed and force, enhancing safety and efficiency.

Protection plates shield doors from daily wear and tear, extending their lifespan in high-traffic environments.

Mounted directly onto the door, these closers provide reliable performance while accommodating different space constraints:

• Regular Arm: The most common type, installed on the push side of the door. Allows up to 180° door swing for full accessibility.

• Parallel Arm: A compact design that keeps the closer flush with the door frame, making it ideal for narrow corridors or high-traffic areas.

• Top Jamb: Mounted vertically above the door, freeing up wall space and keeping vestibules and walkways obstruction-free.

Designed for a seamless aesthetic, concealed closers are hidden inside the door or frame for a clean, unobtrusive look.

• In-Frame Closers: Installed directly within the door frame, maintaining a sleek appearance while requiring professional installation.

• In-Door Closers: Embedded inside the door itself, preserving its decorative design while offering smooth, controlled closing.

Mounted at floor level, these closers provide strong, controlled door movement while keeping hardware discreet.

• Surface-Mounted: Installed on top of the floor near the door. Durable for high-traffic areas but may obstruct cleaning.

• Concealed Floor Closers: Recessed into the floor cavity, sitting flush to avoid tripping hazards and simplify maintenance.

• Floor-Mounted Closers: Compact units directly attached beneath the door—a low-profile option for interior doors.

• Overhead Concealed Closers: Hidden within the door header, keeping hardware invisible for a completely clean finish.

Push plates protect doors from repeated use, preventing wear and tear in high-traffic environments.

• Available in brass, steel, and plastic, they provide a durable, protective surface for hands, carts, and equipment.

• Sized to span the width of the door, ensuring long-term resilience against daily impact.

Edge guards are vertical guards along door edges. These protect door edges from collisions with carts, stretchers, or other equipment, hence preserving the integrity of doors.

Hinges connect doors to frames and enable swinging movement. Pivots use top and bottom pivot points rather than hinge pins for smooth motion.

These are hinges with two rectangular plates joined by a pin.

• Standard Weight: For light commercial doors. Economical option.

• Heavy Weight: Reinforced for heavy or oversized doors. Added durability.

• Ball Bearing: Reduce friction for easy opening. Smooth operation.

• Spring Hinges: Self-closing with adjustable tension. Rebound doors shut.

These are full-length hinges for alignment Ideal for extra tall/wide doors by enhancing alignment along full door length. They help prevent sagging.

Pivot sets swing doors on central pivot points

• Offset Pivots: Position doors off-center to avoid walls or fixtures.

• Center-Hung Pivots: Standard centered door alignment. Typical for most spaces.

As the name suggests, specialty hinges are used for special functions.

• Wide Throw: Enable extra-wide, nearly 180° door opening angles. Mainly required for accessibility.

• Swing Clear Hinges: Allow doors to open fully against adjacent walls. They help maximize doorway openings.

• Double Acting Hinges: Permit opening in either inward or outward direction, offering adaptability.

Handles and pulls are essential for easy operation and durability, allowing users to open and close doors smoothly in high-traffic commercial settings.

Door pulls are designed for exterior use, enabling users to pull doors open with ease and efficiency.

• Straight Pulls: These are universally applicable, positioned centrally on doors up to 4 feet wide for easy access and functionality.

• Offset Pulls: Ideal for areas with specific obstructions like moulding, these pulls are strategically positioned for improved ergonomics and convenience.

• Back-to-Back Pulls: Mounted on both sides of double doors, these pulls provide a natural grip for users when opening from either side.

• Single-Sided Pulls: Cost-effective for standard single doors, these pulls provide efficient functionality without the added complexity of dual installations.

Lever handles are essential for easy operation in commercial spaces, providing grip and leverage for quick access to locks and latches.

• Standard Duty: Built for general commercial use, these handles are typically made from steel or durable polymers, offering 225 lbs of leverage force for reliable functionality.

• Heavy Duty: Designed for high-traffic areas like hospitals or public buildings, these handles are steel-reinforced with a 350+ lbs rating to withstand constant use.

• Hospital/Healthcare: Featuring curved handles and antimicrobial materials, these are specially made to meet healthcare facility codes. They’re also easy to sanitize and maintain for hygienic environments.

Pull handles provide a robust grip for doors requiring extra force to open, perfect for high-traffic commercial environments.

• Straight Pulls: These are center-mounted on wide doors (over 4 feet) and offer a comfortable grip for users to pull with both hands when necessary.

• Offset Pulls: Strategically positioned to prevent mechanical conflicts with surrounding mouldings/rails, offering ergonomic access in tight spaces.

• Tubular Pulls: With a hollow steel construction, these handles are lightweight yet durable, offering a comfortable hand grip for users.

These flat, functional plates are ideal for spaces with high traffic, where door handles may not be as practical.

• Metal Plates: Typically made from stainless steel or anodized aluminum, these long-lasting plates can endure heavy use over time.

• Plastic/Polymer Plates: A cost-effective option for doors with low-to-moderate traffic, these provide durability without the price tag.

• Clean Room Plates: Designed for pharmaceutical or tech facilities, these plates are made from non-particle shedding materials, ensuring a clean and sterile environment.

Accessible levers are specifically designed to meet ADA accessibility standards, ensuring ease of use for individuals with limited mobility or dexterity. These levers are ergonomically crafted for inclusive access.

• Paddle Levers: Featuring a spade-shaped grip, these levers allow users to control the door using their wrist rather than having to grasp. Perfect for individuals with limited mobility or dexterity.

• Offset Levers: With a slightly angled handle, these levers require less range of motion, making them easier to engage for users with restricted movement.

• Loop Levers: Designed with a round grip, these levers are ideal for users who need to operate the door with a closed fist or limited fingers, offering ease of use without requiring a traditional grasp.

Door stops and holders play vital roles in commercial door functionality—stopping doors from swinging too far and protecting walls or fixtures from damage, while holders help keep doors open for easier access in high-traffic areas.

Door stops help manage the movement of doors to avoid damaging walls or obstructing pathways.

• Floor-Mounted Stops: These are base-mounted with rubber bumpers, ensuring that doors open to a preset angle without causing any impact. Perfect for high-traffic areas with frequent door movement.

• Wall-Mounted Stops: Compact and efficient, these wall-fixed stops feature rigid arms that prevent doors from hitting walls, providing ample opening space while cushioning contact.

• Overhead Stops: Hidden from view, these concealed stops are mounted inside the door header box, with spring-cushioned rods to ensure smooth operation and minimize wear and tear.

Flush bolts are used to secure double doors in commercial spaces. They provide additional locking points for increased security.

• Manual Flush Bolts: Require users to manually extend or retract the rods, making them ideal for low-traffic doors or storage areas where high security is needed.

• Automatic Flush Bolts: Automatically engage when the active door closes, offering hands-free security for areas like offices or corridors.

• Constant Latching: These bolts stay extended at all times, ensuring automatic latching when the doors close. This provides extra security, especially in sensitive or high-security areas.

Door coordinators ensure that doors close in the proper sequence, a crucial feature for commercial spaces requiring precise door control.

• Standard Coordinators: Designed to ensure doors close in the correct order to preserve weatherstripping or prevent damage from improper closure.

• Security Coordinators: For areas like banks or pharmacies, these coordinators prevent the inactive door from opening first, enhancing security.

• Fire-Rated Coordinators: These are code-compliant coordinators that ensure fire doors close in the correct order to maintain fire protection standards.

Weather and sound protection hardware is essential for controlling indoor climate and acoustics, blocking drafts, reducing noise, and improving comfort in commercial spaces.

Weather stripping helps seal doors and frames, preventing air infiltration and maintaining temperature control.

• Adhesive Weather Stripping: Foam, vinyl, or brush strips that easily adhere to door or frame surfaces. These basic seals are ideal for low-use doors but effective in blocking drafts and small gaps.

• Screw-Applied Weather Stripping: Sturdy metal, vinyl, or combination seals secured with screws. These seals are built to withstand heavy traffic and are perfect for high-use doors in offices or retail spaces.

• Door Sweeps: These are brushes or vinyl strips attached along the bottom of doors to seal gaps, blocking drafts, pests, and noise.

Thresholds are bottom seals installed to ensure doors are fully sealed against weather elements.

• Saddle Thresholds: Aluminum or bronze thresholds installed below closed doors to seal gaps while accommodating rolling traffic, making them ideal for commercial spaces with carts or wheelchairs.

• Panic Thresholds: Low-profile thresholds designed for exit doors that meet fire safety codes, ensuring safe, unhindered evacuation routes.

• ADA Compliant Thresholds: These beveled, ultra-low thresholds provide easy access for individuals with disabilities, offering a seamless transition for wheelchairs or mobility devices.

Astragals are weatherstripping elements for double doors, enhancing the seal when the doors are closed.

• Meeting Stile Astragals: These vertical seals are placed where double doors meet, preventing air, water, and dust penetration between the doors.

• Split Astragals: These feature a pair of jointed strips with flexible rubber to fill any gaps, providing a tight seal for uneven door surfaces.

• T-Astragals: Rigid, molded seals shaped like a “T” that fit into door edges, designed to block larger gaps and prevent drafts.

Specialized security hardware strengthens access control, boosts protection, and ensures fire safety and legal egress.

Electric strikes are electrified strike plates used for remote locking and unlocking.

• Fail-Safe: These strikes unlock when power fails, ensuring emergency exits remain accessible during power outages.

• Fail-Secure: In the event of a power loss, fail-secure strikes remain locked, maintaining security during outages.

• Fire-Rated: Specifically approved for installation in fire doors, meeting safety codes for fire-rated environments.

Magnetic locks use electromagnets to secure doors, providing a secure locking solution.

• Single Door: A single magnetic lock secures a single door.

• Double Door: Paired electromagnetic locks secure double doors, often used in high-security areas.

Door position switches are sensors that trigger alerts when doors are open.

• Surface Mounted: These switches are attached visibly to the door or frame, monitoring the door’s position.

• Concealed: Internal sensors monitor door position discreetly without being visible.

• Wireless: These battery-powered switches operate without wires, offering flexibility in installation.

Electric latch retraction allows remote locking/unlocking of standard mortise locks via electronic actuation, enhancing convenience and security.

These devices transfer power across hinged doors, supporting electronic lock systems.

• Electric Hinges: Wires embedded in the hinges pass electricity or data across the door without obstruction.

• Power Transfer Loops: These devices send power via concealed overhead tracks, maintaining a sleek aesthetic while powering doors.

• Concealed Power Transfers: These are hidden internally, allowing for clean aesthetics while ensuring power transfer.

Removable mullions are temporary middle posts used for double doors, often allowing for flexible access control.

• Keyed: Locking steel posts span double doors and can be added or removed quickly, providing easy flexibility.

• Non-Keyed: Simple slip-in posts without locks offer a convenient, tool-free installation.

When selecting commercial door hardware, it’s essential to consider key factors that ensure optimal functionality, safety, and compliance.

Ensuring that your hardware meets fire safety and ADA accessibility regulations is critical. All hardware choices should adhere to local building codes and ANSI/BHMA grade standards, focusing on durability, security, and fire ratings. Consulting with commercial door specialists can help streamline compliance with these regulations.

For fire-rated openings, specialized hardware is needed, including automatic closing devices and approved panic exit hardware. Choosing compliant solutions is essential to ensure the safety of occupants in case of an emergency.

Hardware such as lever handles, push/pull plates, and low-energy operators support accessibility for people with disabilities, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These features make spaces more accessible while adhering to legal standards.

Evaluating your access control and traffic flow needs will help you select the appropriate locksets, exit devices, and electronic access systems. The goal is to secure sensitive areas while allowing for emergency egress when necessary.

Durability and corrosion resistance are crucial, especially for exterior openings or high-moisture environments. Select heavy-duty solutions for high-traffic areas. Professional guidance for specialty applications can help prevent future maintenance issues.

Selecting the right commercial door hardware is essential for safeguarding your business premises, assets, and personnel. 

By understanding the various types of hardware, key features, and installation considerations, you can make well-informed decisions to invest in the best solutions for your commercial space.

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Commercial hardware is built for high-traffic, heavy-use in public buildings and spaces. It prioritizes durability, fire codes, accessibility regulations, and security features like panic bars. Residential hardware is designed for lighter home use with more emphasis on aesthetics than strict compliance codes.

The most ubiquitous security installation in commercial doors is the lockset. From simple keyed knobs to high-security mortise or cylindrical lever-style locks, secure locksets are vital for access control and prevention of unauthorized entry in office buildings, hospitals, schools, and other public venues.