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Retail and storefront door hardware is a specialized category of commercial hardware designed for two distinct environments within the same building: the customer-facing storefront (typically aluminum-framed glass doors where aesthetics and specialized frame compatibility are primary concerns) and the back-of-house (hollow metal doors in steel frames where security and code compliance take priority).

The defining characteristic of storefront hardware is its compatibility with aluminum narrow stile and medium stile door frames. Standard commercial cylindrical locks and mortise locks are designed for wood or hollow metal door preparations and do not fit in narrow stile aluminum frames. This requires a dedicated product line, led by Adams Rite deadlatches and storefront trims, that is purpose-built for the dimensions and structural properties of aluminum storefront construction.

Aluminum Storefront Glass Entry Doors

A standard cylindrical lever lock requires a 2-1/8" bore hole through the door. A narrow stile aluminum frame has a stile width of approximately 2". The lock physically cannot be installed.

Adams Rite deadlatches are the industry standard for narrow stile glass doors. They mount inside the aluminum stile with a 1" wide mortise prep and provide a deadlocking latch bolt that resists shimming. Storefront trims integrate with the deadlatch to provide the exterior pull handle and interior thumb-turn.

Floor concealed closers are the standard retail specification because they are entirely hidden beneath the floor. Only the spindle is visible at the door bottom, which preserves the clean appearance of a glass entry that a surface-mounted closer would compromise.

Medium stile frames (3-1/2" to 5" wide) can accept a mortise lock for applications requiring heavier-duty construction, such as high-end retail with extended operating hours.

After-Hours Security for Glass Entries

A deadlatch provides daytime security. For overnight protection, Adams Rite deadlocks provide a full deadbolt throw within the narrow stile frame. Many retail specifications call for a deadlatch for daily use and a deadlock for after-hours security.

On double glass entry doors, flushlocks secure the inactive leaf at the top and bottom of the frame. The active leaf carries the primary deadlatch or deadlock.

Back-of-House Doors (Stockroom, Office, Cash Room)

Back-of-house doors are standard hollow metal in steel frames and use conventional commercial hardware. Cylindrical lever locks in storeroom function are specified for stockrooms, keeping the door locked from the retail floor side at all times with keyed entry for authorized staff only. Grade 2 is acceptable for interior retail applications.

Fitting rooms use cylindrical lever locks in privacy function. Cash counting rooms and manager offices use electronic keypad locks for audit trail capability. Loss prevention depends on knowing who accessed the cash room and when.

Emergency Exit Doors

Panic exit devices are required on all exit doors serving an occupant load exceeding 50, which applies to virtually every retail floor. Exit alarms on rear and secondary exit doors alert staff when the door is opened, serving as a theft deterrent without restricting egress.

Surface door closers are the correct specification for rear exit doors (hollow metal in steel frames). Floor concealed closers are reserved for the glass storefront entry, not the back of house. Security hinges with non-removable pins are specified on all outswing exterior exit doors.

Hardware Schedule

For storefront hardware specifications and project pricing, request a quote from National Lock Supply.