Quick answer
A maglock is an electromagnet that holds a door shut while powered and releases when power is cut (fail-safe); an electric strike releases the door's latch and can stay locked on power loss (fail-secure). The right choice depends on the door's purpose, egress requirements, and how it must behave in an emergency.
- Maglock = strong electromagnet, fails unlocked on power loss (fail-safe) — needs careful egress design.
- Electric strike = releases the latch, can be fail-secure (stays locked on power loss).
- Choice is driven by door type, life-safety egress, and fire-code release — not preference.
- Many buildings use both: strikes on most doors, maglocks where appropriate.
When you're specifying door hardware
Every access-controlled door needs an electronic locking method, and picking the wrong one creates either a security gap or a code violation. This decision comes up on every project — new entries, retrofits of existing doors, and glass or specialty doors that limit your options.
Door type narrows the choice fast
Existing doors with a standard latch often take an electric strike with minimal modification. Frameless glass doors, double doors, or high-traffic entries may call for a maglock. The door, frame, and existing hardware usually point to the right answer before cost even enters the picture.
How it works
How a maglock works
An electromagnet mounted on the frame bonds to a steel plate on the door, holding it shut with strong, silent force while energized. Cut power — by credential, exit device, or fire alarm — and it releases instantly. Because it fails unlocked, egress is straightforward, but it must be tied to the fire system and exit hardware correctly.
How an electric strike works
The strike replaces the fixed plate the latch catches on the frame. When access is granted it pivots to release the latch, letting the door open while the door's own latch and lockset still function. Strikes are commonly fail-secure, so the door stays locked if power is lost — good for security doors.
Fail-safe vs fail-secure
This is the heart of the decision. Fail-safe (unlocks on power loss) suits egress paths and doors that must open in an emergency. Fail-secure (locks on power loss) suits doors protecting assets where you don't want free entry during an outage. Egress is always preserved from the inside by exit hardware regardless of which you choose.
Key terms in this guide
Maglocks without proper egress
A maglock that isn't correctly tied to exit hardware and the fire alarm can trap people or violate code. Maglocks are a great tool, but only when the egress design is done right — which is exactly where DIY and inexperienced installs go wrong.
Forcing the wrong lock onto a door
Trying to put a strike on a door that can't accept one, or a maglock where it spoils the door's operation, leads to unreliable hardware and service calls. Matching the lock to the door is the difference between a system that just works and one that constantly nags.
Proof & process
- Lock type is matched to each door's construction, purpose, and required emergency behavior.
- Fire-alarm release and exit hardware are integrated so egress is always code-compliant.
How we build this guidance
- Based on real DFW access-control installs across offices, warehouses, and retail.
- Egress and fire-code release designed in — the most common failure point in DIY installs.
- Vendor-neutral: we pick the hardware the door needs, not a single product line.
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Common questions
Is a maglock or electric strike more secure?
Both can be very secure when correctly applied. Electric strikes are often fail-secure (stay locked on power loss), which suits asset-protection doors. Maglocks are extremely strong but fail-safe (unlock on power loss), so they're chosen where that behavior — plus proper egress and fire integration — is appropriate. Security comes from the right match, not the type alone.
What does fail-safe vs fail-secure mean?
Fail-safe means the lock unlocks if it loses power (used on egress and emergency-exit doors). Fail-secure means it stays locked if it loses power (used on security doors you don't want opening during an outage). Egress from inside is always preserved by exit hardware.
Can I use one type for the whole building?
Sometimes, but most buildings use a mix — electric strikes on standard doors and maglocks where the door or use case calls for one. We assess each opening and specify the hardware that fits its construction and emergency requirements.