Maglocks use an electromagnet on the frame and an armature plate on the door. When powered, the magnet holds the plate and the door stays secure. Because they need constant power to stay locked, maglocks are fail safe—they release on power loss or fire‑alarm trigger, supporting safe egress.

Below is a streamlined guide to what each type is and when to use it.

How a Maglock Works (Quickly)

• What it is: An electromagnet + armature plate that hold together when energized.

• Why it’s popular: Clean look, minimal door prep, great on aluminum storefronts, glass doors, and gates.

• Typical holding force: About 600–1,200 lb per magnet (higher for exterior gates).

1) Single Maglocks

What it is: One magnet for a single door.

Best uses:

• Main or interior office doors

• Departmental doors (HR, IT, supply)

• Storefront entries where you want simple, reliable access control

Good to know: Straightforward surface mount; pairs well with keypads/readers.

2) Double Maglocks

What it is: Two magnets in one housing for pairs of doors without a center mullion.

Best uses:

• Wide retail or healthcare entrances

• Lobby entries with heavy foot traffic

Good to know: Keeps a clean opening across both leaves with one compact header unit.

3) Shear Locks

What it is: A concealed magnet that also resists shear (sliding) force, ideal when surface hardware is undesirable.

Best uses:

• Frameless glass or design‑forward interiors

• Doors where aesthetics matter and you still want strong hold

Good to know: Needs accurate alignment; great for a low‑profile look.

4) Gate Maglocks

What it is: Weather‑resistant maglocks built for outdoor gates and exposed openings.

Best uses:

• Perimeter pedestrian gates

• Parking areas and multifamily/HOA gates

• Industrial fence lines

Good to know: Higher holding forces and rugged housings handle wind, vibration, and the elements.

Power & Safety Basics

• Fail safe by design: Maglocks unlock on power loss or fire‑alarm release.

• Egress devices: Use a request‑to‑exit (REX) sensor or bar‑mounted switch, plus an emergency release button if required by local code.

• Fire integration: Tie maglock power to the fire alarm relay so doors release automatically during an alarm.

• Storefront use: Popular on aluminum/glass doors; minimal prep and predictable release behavior make code compliance straightforward when installed correctly.

• Uptime: Consider battery‑backed power supplies for short outages (they still release on alarm when wired properly).

Quick Picker

• Single interior or storefront door: Single maglock

• Pair of glass doors (no mullion): Double maglock

• Frameless glass / premium aesthetic: Shear lock

• Exterior gate or exposed opening: Gate maglock

Maglocks give you a simple, powerful way to control access across many door types. Need help matching a lock to your opening and local code? Contact SNTRY Supply for expert guidance and product recommendations.