Electric Strikes: Smart Entry Without Replacing the Lock
An electric strike replaces the fixed strike plate on a door frame with one that releases electronically. When triggered by a button, intercom, card reader or keypad, the strike pivots to let the door open — while your existing latch, lever or panic bar stays exactly as it is. It is the most cost-effective way to add controlled, buzz-in entry to a commercial door.
A1 Security Gate & Intercom installs electric strikes for mortise locks, cylindrical locksets and rim panic devices, matched to the frame material and door prep. We mortise the frame cleanly, run concealed low-voltage wiring and tie the strike into a doorbell button, video intercom, telephone entry or full access control system — whatever fits how you run your space.
The biggest decision is fail-secure versus fail-safe. A fail-secure strike stays locked when power is lost (people can still exit, but no one gets in) — ideal for most exterior and security doors. A fail-safe strike unlocks on power loss for free egress, used where life-safety or stairwell code requires it. We help you choose the right mode for each opening.
Who Electric Strikes Are For
Electric strikes are the go-to when you want to keep good mechanical hardware and simply add the ability to release the door remotely or with a credential.
Buzz-In Reception
Front desks and offices that need to release the door for visitors from a desk button or intercom.
Medical & Professional
Clinics, law offices and suites controlling a secured lobby door during business hours.
Existing Lever & Mortise Doors
Doors with quality locksets where you want electronic access without swapping the whole lock.
Apartments & Multi-Tenant
Lobby and amenity doors tied to a telephone-entry or video intercom system.
Problems We Solve
- You want visitors buzzed in from a desk or intercom without walking to the door.
- A keypad or card reader needs to release a door that already has a good mechanical lock.
- An old electric strike chatters, sticks or no longer releases reliably.
- The wrong fail mode was installed — the door unlocks (or stays locked) when it should not.
- The frame prep is wrong and the strike binds against the latch.
- You need entry tied to a video intercom so you can see who you are letting in.
Electric Strike Options We Install
We match the strike to your lock type, frame and the fail mode your application and code require.
Fail-Secure Strikes
Stay locked on power loss for exterior and security doors — exit is always free from the inside.
Fail-Safe Strikes
Release on power loss for stairwells and life-safety openings where code requires free egress.
Mortise, Cylindrical & Rim
Strikes matched to mortise locks, cylindrical levers and rim exit devices, with correct faceplates.
Intercom & Buzz-In Tie-In
Wired to a desk button, video intercom or telephone entry for one-touch visitor release.
Why Choose A1 Security Gate & Intercom
- Correct fail-secure vs fail-safe selection for each opening — security and code both respected.
- Clean frame mortising and faceplate fit so the strike never binds the latch.
- Works with the quality locks and panic hardware you already own — no needless replacement.
- Concealed low-voltage wiring and tidy terminations by licensed technicians.
- Integrates with intercoms, keypads, card readers and full access control.
- We troubleshoot and replace failing strikes that chatter, stick or stay unlocked.
Our Process
From first call to final walkthrough, we keep it simple and professional.
Assess the Door
We identify your lock type, frame and how you want the door to release, then pick the right strike.
Written Quote
Strike model, fail mode, wiring and any intercom or reader tie-in, itemized up front.
Install & Wire
We mortise the frame, mount the strike, run concealed wiring and connect the trigger source.
Test Every Mode
We confirm release, latch alignment, fail behavior and egress, then show you how to use it.