 So you’ve got a busted or old door at your business property? But what to do next. Is it repairable? Or would it be best to just get a whole new door? Let’s run through the options and see what’s right for your situation.
SHOULD YOU REPAIR YOUR DOOR? Generally, repairing your door is going to be a more cost effective option than getting a whole new replacement. Depending on the damage, this is what will warrant the outcome of your damaged door. Some of the types of damage that can be repaired are bent frames, corrosion, alignment, or warping. Bent door frames can affect the functionality and security of your door. If something large hits your door during deliveries, attempted break-ins, or misuse can cause your door frame to become bent. This is an important issue to fix for security reasons, with a bent frame it allows for an easy way for someone to pry the door open. Corrosion damage can be caused by humidity, extreme weather, or sunlight. These items can wear on the paint on the door that protects the structure underneath, causing a door to become rusted and brittle. Which affects the aesthetic and can be a security issue if the corrosion is located in an area that could be pried open. Normal wear and tear can cause alignment issues for your door. The door can become misaligned and then become hard to open and close or can scrape against the floor. Door warping is a common issue with commercial doors because of their manufacturing. It can occur from misuse over time. These items can be repaired, which can add years onto the life of the door. And can be cheaper than a whole new door and install. SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR DOOR? In some cases, your door simply may be too damaged (or costly) to fix and it will be a better and cheaper option to just have the whole door replaced. Your door could be broken beyond repair or it’s run its course of it’s life expectancy. Depending on what the damage may be, you may want to get a new one to give your business facade a little love with a fresh look. Regardless of the damage you have, you should consult a professional to see what your best, most cost effective option could be. If it's the lock that needs replacing, give us a call at Minnesota Locks so we can get your door locks working like new again!  If you own or manage a commercial property, then you’ll want to make sure you have the most secure locks you can get. These will be different from the types of locks you use on your home. Let’s examine different commercial locks that you may want to add to your business.
Panic bars/Crashbars Install these for ease of use and exiting a building, which is what they were designed for, as an easy way to get out in case of emergency. If you don’t know what these are, they are the long bars that you push to exit from inside the building. They are very common in schools. These function differently from traditional door locks and are mostly keyless. They operate through the use of a connected handle or bar, and when the bar is pressed, the internal mechanics retract the latch that keeps the door closed. Cylindrical Lever Locks These are pretty common locks to use. They are lever door handles that are designed for high usage. The reason they are used for commercial properties, instead of homes, is there is more traffic coming through a business than a residential building. These can be operated with a key or a combined use of a key and push button, that are located on the interior of the door to allow access for people coming into the building. Keyless Door Locks These are locks that operate with a keypad or an App instead of a traditional key. One benefit of these types is that you don’t have to transfer physical keys between employees or wait for the person with a key to arrive. These are also becoming popular for people to use in their homes as well. For increased security, some keypad locks can be completely keyless, so they cannot be picked. Mortise Locks These are a common option for businesses due to their strength and reliability. The deadbolt size helps with the durability, and the placement of it being housed inside the lock body, makes it more resistant to forced entry. With the stronger internal components, it allows for higher cycle counts so it will last much longer. They can endure heavily trafficked usage. So if you have a pretty consistent flow of people coming in and out, this is a good option for that. Commercial Electric Strike Locks These secure, electronic door locks can be used in conjunction with a panic bar and keypad door lock. They can provide access from the inside and outside of the building. These secure locks are good for a company that experiences a lot of people entering and exiting. They are a good option for allowing access to particular locations in the building. These can offer the option of a fail-safe lock and a fail-secure as well. Some things to consider for installation of this lock is the layout of the building, the numbers of employees, and your emergency escape routes (you don’t want people to get trapped during an emergency). When looking at different lock types, you’ll have to factor in your personal needs for your commercial property. If your business is in need of updated locks or if you want to have a conversation about how to make your business more secure, give us a call at Minnesota Locks today!  Owning your own business can be stressful with keeping up with daily routines and everything that you have to remember to do. Add to the top of it all, thinking about security risks. One thing that can help alleviate this anxiety is to be prepared and take preventative measures toward theft.
If you are just starting your business or have moved to a new location, call a locksmith to install new locks. Ask them if they can recommend the proper ones you would need for the best security. Simple things like adding signage that alerts criminals to the security measures you have in place. Place stickers on the door where customers enter that state the name of a security company system, or that your business has 24 hour surveillance (even if it doesn’t). These can help deter criminals if they know they are being recorded. You can also organize your store so that there are no blind spots for criminals to hide in, and shove merchandise into their pockets. Move shelving and displays around to avoid giving them hiding spots. Consider lowering tall displays, so you can see everyone in the store. Keeping visual sight lines to all parts of your establishment can help deter theft. With no place to hide, criminals are less likely to be bold and won’t try to steal something. Now that visual sight lines are improved, talk to your employees about how to spot suspicious behavior; like loitering or people who group together in an attempt to hide each other while they shoplift. You can also schedule a course in robbery training for your employees to teach them how to react during a robbery and what to do immediately afterwards. You can also consider some professional security measures, like installing security doors or gates. We recommend consulting with a security company about what types of doors make sense for your business. Think about adding a safe if you have valuables or cash that are left at the business overnight. Get a high quality safe designed for security, and while you’re at it, make sure it guards against fire too. You can also contact a professional service that installs safes as well, they can give you recommendations for what best suits your company’s needs. We discussed displaying signage for an alarm system to deter thieves. Go one step further and actually have an alarm system installed. Choose an alarm that connects directly with your local police department and not through a monitoring service. Talk to your alarm service company about also installing a silent alarm or panic button for your employees if a robbery were to take place. We know every small business has different needs, including different security needs. Not all of these items may fit your business or your needs, so consider what is best suited for your business. We're always here for your business locksmith needs! Just give us a call. |
AuthorWe offer automotive, commercial and residential locksmith services in the Twin Cities. Archives
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