Buying guides
One guide per category, plus guides on the jobs and rules that cross them: what decides the part number, what we confirm before anything ships, and what is stocked and what is special order.
Exit devices
When panic hardware is required, fire rated door hardware, panic vs fire exit hardware, and the device types.
Door closers
Types of door closers, Grade 1 vs Grade 2, arm types and the size the door needs.
Cylindrical locks
Grade 1 vs Grade 2 locks, ANSI function codes, backset and door prep.
Mortise locks
Mortise lock vs cylindrical lock, how a mortise lock works, and what a replacement must match.
Electrified hardware
Fail safe vs fail secure, electric strike vs maglock, voltage and power supplies.
Hinges and pivots
Types of door hinges: ball bearing, heavy weight, NRP, continuous and pivots.
Thresholds and seals
ADA threshold height, ramps, door bottoms, gasketing and astragals.
Door accessories
Kick plate sizes, pulls, push plates and flush bolts, matched to the door’s finish.
Door closer adjustment
How to adjust a commercial door closer: the valves, spring power, slamming, latching and closing time.
ADA door requirements
ADA door clearance and width, then the hardware: handle height, opening force, closers and kick plates, by section.
Interchangeable cores
SFIC vs LFIC: how to tell the cores apart, which locks take them, and how cores are ordered.
What every guide covers first
Every guide covers the same three things first, then answers common questions in that category, with its sources.
What decides the part number
The things that fix the replacement in that category, from grade, function code or size, handing, backset, finish and fire rating.
What we confirm before it ships
Handed, keyed and voltage-selected items ship only after you confirm handing, finish, keying and voltage in writing. Non-handed, non-keyed items skip that step. Keyed orders cannot be returned once cut.
What our distributors hold
Each category guide gives the number of part numbers we can quote in that category and how much of it is special order. Most of every category is special order, typically 4 to 6 weeks and sometimes longer.
We supply listed hardware and confirm in writing the part number and options you have chosen. We are not code consultants; your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) makes the final call.
Specification charts
The three charts the guides refer back to most.
Can’t identify the part?
Send a photo instead of working through a chart. We identify it, spec the correct replacement and quote within one business day with part number, grade, finish, price and lead time.