Electric Strike vs Magnetic Lock

An electric strike replaces the standard strike plate in a door frame — the metal piece that a door latch clicks into when you close the door. When power is applied (or cut, depending on the model), the strike releases and lets the latch retract, allowing the door to open. The door hardware itself — the handle, knob, or push bar — stays mechanical. An magnetic lock (also called a mag lock) takes a completely different approach: it mounts an electromagnet to the top of the door frame and a metal armature plate to the door itself. When energized, the magnet holds the door shut with a holding force typically between 600 and 1,500 lbs. Cut the power, and the door releases instantly.

The core technical distinction comes down to fail-safe vs. fail-secure. Magnetic locks are almost always fail-safe — they release when power is lost, which means the door is unlocked during a blackout or fire alarm. Electric strikes can be ordered in either configuration: fail-safe (unlocks on power loss) or fail-secure (stays locked on power loss). Fail-secure is common for high-security interior doors where you want unauthorized entry prevented even during an outage. Because mag locks have no moving parts, they tend to have a longer service life and are easier to install on doors that aren't perfectly aligned — a common reality in older NYC buildings where frames have shifted over decades.

In New York City, the choice between the two is heavily shaped by the NYC Fire Code and DOB requirements. Mag locks on egress doors must be integrated with the fire alarm system so they release automatically when an alarm triggers — this is non-negotiable. They also require a compliant REX (Request to Exit) sensor or push-to-exit button on the interior so occupants can always leave freely. Electric strikes on doors with panic hardware or mortise locks are common in commercial lobbies, co-op vestibules, and brownstone entry doors where the existing frame already has a latch mechanism. If your building has a super who manually buzzes people in via intercom, that buzzer is almost certainly energizing an electric strike.

If you're deciding between the two, consider the door type first. Mag locks work well on hollow metal doors, glass doors with no frame cutout, and double doors — situations where cutting a new strike pocket isn't practical. Electric strikes are the cleaner choice when a latch or deadbolt is already present and you want to preserve the existing look and hardware. For high-traffic NYC commercial spaces, mag locks often win on durability; for residential buildings where aesthetics and existing hardware matter, electric strikes are typically the better fit.