Electric Strike or Maglock: Which Door Release Fits?
Every buzzer system has two ends: the button upstairs and the release at the door. An electric strike replaces the strike plate in the frame and works with your existing latch — it's the usual pick for wood and metal apartment-building doors, and the door still locks normally if power drops. A magnetic lock holds the door with an electromagnet and suits glass storefront doors that have no latch to work with, though it needs proper exit hardware on the inside.
We look at your door, frame, and traffic before recommending one. The right release is the difference between a buzzer that works for ten years and one that fails every winter.
Tenant Buttons, Panels, and Wiring for Walkups
In a multi-unit walkup, buzzer problems are usually wiring problems. Decades of paint, moisture, and patch jobs leave dead buttons, crossed lines, and that one unit that buzzes apartment 3 when you press 5. We trace and repair existing runs where it makes sense, and rewire from panel to release when it doesn't. Adding units is straightforward too — if you've split a floor or finished a basement apartment, we add buttons and stations so every legal unit gets its own working buzz-in. Single dead buttons are a quick visit, not a building-wide project.
Storefront Buzzer Systems for Shops and Offices
For a storefront, a buzzer flips the model: instead of tenants letting visitors in, your staff controls the door from the counter. A button at the register releases the door for each customer — a setup common with jewelers, dispensaries, check cashers, and small offices that want to screen who enters. We install the release, the press-to-exit hardware, and a buzz-in button placed where staff actually stand. If you want to see who's at the door before you buzz, we can pair the release with a camera or video intercom in the same visit.
Common Questions
Can you add a buzzer system to a building that never had one?
Yes. We run new wiring from the entry to each unit, install the panel and release, and set up tenant buttons. It's a common job in converted and subdivided buildings.
What's the difference between an electric strike and a maglock?
An electric strike works with your door's existing latch and is typical for apartment entries. A maglock holds the door magnetically and suits glass storefront doors, but requires proper exit hardware inside. We recommend based on your specific door.
One tenant's buzzer button doesn't work — is that too small a job?
Not at all. Single-button and single-handset repairs are quick visits, and fixing one fault early often prevents a bigger wiring failure later.
What does buzzer system installation cost?
It depends on the number of units, wiring condition, and the door release type. You get a transparent quote before work begins, no hidden fees.