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Quick answer

Austin has three local sources worth calling: Cothron's Security Professionals, Architectural Division 8 and LaForce, LLC. Cothron's is the one that publishes a contract hardware counter with same-day pickup and next-day delivery, which makes it the first stop when a door is failing today. National Lock Supply (NLS) fits buyers who would rather order online from published prices, ship to the site and confirm function, handing and keying with a technician before paying. The national trade houses and the MRO distributor at the end of the list serve buyers who already hold accounts. For planned projects in Austin, price the schedule with NLS and one local branch, then compare.

How we ranked these distributors

We used five yardsticks, chosen for Austin facility managers, GCs, locksmiths and integrators:

• Catalog depth on commercial OEM lines.
• Published pricing, with ordering available to professionals without an account.
• Shipping speed to Austin, or pickup and delivery from a local branch.
• Technical support on function, handing and keying.
• Counter or will-call access.

NLS wrote this list and ranks itself first on these criteria. The other suppliers are listed neutrally and limited to their own published information.

1. National Lock Supply (online, ships to Austin)

National Lock Supply is a family-owned, third-generation commercial door hardware distributor shipping to Austin every business day. With Austin's construction pace, it ranks first as the single source that covers every hardware line on a schedule with published prices.

Why National Lock Supply ranks first for Austin buyers

• The whole opening from one supplier. About 15,400 live SKUs across 52 manufacturer lines, including Schlage, Von Duprin, LCN, Sargent, Corbin Russwin, HES, Securitron, Rixson, Ives, Pemko, Hager, Detex and Kawneer. Mechanical locks, panic and exit devices, door closers, electric strikes, maglocks, access control power supplies, hinges and builders hardware all ship on the same order.
• Stock and speed. NLS states it keeps stock of every item in its catalog. Most orders placed before 3:00 p.m. ET ship the same business day via UPS or FedEx after card approval, with expedited and rush options when a job cannot wait.
• Free ground shipping at $450 and up, which covers most multi-opening orders.
• Prices published online, no dealer account required. A facility manager, GC or locksmith can see the price and order the same day, without an account application.
• Quantity discounts on larger jobs through the Get a Quote desk, which also handles full hardware schedules.
• Government and school purchase orders accepted through Submit a PO.
• Technical support before you buy. Function, handing, keying and electrified wiring questions are answered by phone at 718-814-6300 (Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET) or at sales@nationallocksupply.com, which is where most wrong-part returns are prevented.
• Clear returns. Stock items can be returned within 30 days in saleable, uninstalled condition (15% restocking, 25% on lock parts), and NLS pays the return shipping when the error is theirs.
• Three generations, family-owned, with what the company calls honest, up-front value pricing.

National Lock Supply ships to Austin rather than running a local counter, so for a part needed within the hour, pair it with one of the Austin counters below.

2. Cothron's Security Professionals (Ben White, Austin)

Cothron's Security Professionals is at 1315 W Ben White, Austin, TX 78704. It also lists 8225 Burnet Rd, and its corporate address is 8120 Exchange Dr. It sells keys, mechanical and electrical hardware, and doors and door frames. Its commercial counter is described as a contract hardware counter with same-day pickup and next-day delivery, open Monday to Friday 8 to 5:30 and Saturday 10 to 3. It suits contractors and facility crews who need parts in hand quickly and a Saturday option (website: cothrons.com).

3. Architectural Division 8 (Burleson Rd, Austin)

The Austin branch of Architectural Division 8 is at 8219 Burleson Rd, Austin, TX 78744. The company lists Assa Abloy, Allegion and Dormakaba, with doors, frames, hardware and access control. Counter, will-call and delivery are stated for the company as a whole, so confirm them for this branch. It is a natural call for GCs and integrators coordinating doors, hardware and access control on one project (website: archdiv8.com).

4. LaForce, LLC (Long Vista Dr, Austin)

LaForce, LLC is at 15877 Long Vista Dr, #108, Austin, TX 78728. It lists commercial doors, frames, hardware, keying and electronic security. Counter and delivery terms are not stated on its page. It fits projects where doors, keying and electronic security are bought together, in Austin (website: laforceinc.com).

National distributors that ship to Austin

• Grainger: a national MRO distributor that ships to Austin. Verify which door hardware lines it carries for your opening.
• SECLOCK: a national trade distributor that ships to Austin. Ask about buyer eligibility and product range.
• IDN Incorporated: a national trade distributor serving Austin by shipment. Confirm terms directly.
• Banner Solutions: a national trade distributor that ships to Austin. Contact them for current availability.
• Top Notch Distributors: a national trade distributor reaching Austin by shipment. Check their requirements before ordering.
• Cook & Boardman: a national trade distributor that ships to Austin. Confirm lines and account details with them.

Local codes that drive hardware choices in Austin

Austin builds under the International Building Code with city amendments, and accessibility on commercial work is reviewed under the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS). Because adopted editions and amendments change, confirm the current set with the city or your design team before finalizing hardware.

Three national documents sit beneath. NFPA 80 covers fire door assemblies: rated doors need compatible closers, hinges and latching hardware that stay in working order, and the NFPA 80 annual fire door inspection guide shows how inspectors check them. ANSI/BHMA A156 defines the performance grades that specifications reference for locks, closers and exit devices. The ADA 2010 Standards, Section 404, set requirements for door openings, operable hardware and opening force. Put lever trim and closer adjustments in the hardware submittal so they are settled before installation.

How to choose a door hardware supplier in Austin

Before you call any Austin supplier, collect door handing, the function needed (office, storeroom, classroom, entrance), the keyway or system already in the building, door thickness and the fire rating of the opening. Cothron's counter can pull a part faster when you give it that information, and NLS technical support uses the same details to confirm a function before the order ships. For a keying project, bring the current key bitting or system name, and photograph the existing cylinder and lockset so the match is checked against the real hardware rather than memory. A short door schedule with locations also helps Architectural Division 8 and LaForce respond to a project inquiry with usable numbers.

FAQ

Which Austin supplier offers same-day pickup? Cothron's Security Professionals describes a contract hardware counter with same-day pickup and next-day delivery. NLS ships most orders placed before 3:00 p.m. EST the same day, after card approval.

Does Architectural Division 8 have an Austin location? Yes, at 8219 Burleson Rd, Austin, TX 78744. Counter, will-call and delivery are stated company-wide.

Where does Cothron's operate? Its commercial counter page lists 1315 W Ben White. It also lists 8225 Burnet Rd, and corporate is at 8120 Exchange Dr. Ask which address holds the parts you need before you drive over.

Can NLS support a rekey or master key project in Austin? NLS stocks cylinders, cores and key blanks, and technical support answers keying questions before you order. Send the existing system details with the request so the quote reflects the keyway already in the building.

Next step

Send your hardware list to the Get a Quote desk, or file a purchase order through the government PO page. For a single product, begin with panic and exit devices.