Commercial Door Lock Grades Explained: Grade 1 vs. Grade 2 vs. Grade 3
If you’re upgrading or installing locks for your Phoenix business, you may have heard terms like Grade 1, Grade 2, or Grade 3. These refer to the lock’s ANSI/BHMA grade—an industry standard that measures durability, strength, and security.
At Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm, we help business owners choose the right lock grade for their property, traffic level, and risk factors. Here’s what each grade means and when to use it.
Need help choosing the right lock? View our Phoenix commercial locksmith services
What Are Lock Grades?
Lock grades are set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA). These grades are used to rate the performance and durability of commercial and residential locks.
Grade 1: The Highest Security Standard
Grade 1 locks are the most secure and durable. They’re designed for high-traffic commercial use and tested to withstand over 1 million cycles of use.
Best for
Main entrances
Retail stores
Schools and universities
Hospitals
Warehouses and industrial sites
Benefits
Heavy-duty materials
Maximum resistance to picking, prying, and impact
Required for fire-rated and exit devices in many commercial codes
Grade 2: Moderate Commercial Use
Grade 2 locks offer solid security for medium-use doors. They’re a popular option for interior offices and secondary commercial entrances.
Best for
Interior office doors
Storage rooms
Private suites
Back-of-house entry doors
Benefits
Good balance of cost and security
Durable enough for most business needs
Easier to install or retrofit on existing doors
Grade 3: Residential and Light-Duty Use
Grade 3 is the lowest ANSI rating and is not recommended for commercial use. These locks are designed for homes and low-use areas only.
Not recommended for
Any primary commercial door
High-traffic areas
Exterior doors in retail or office buildings
Risks
Lower resistance to force
Shorter lifespan under regular use
Easier to bypass or break
How to Choose the Right Grade for Your Business
Consider
How many people use the door each day
Whether it’s a public or private entrance
What the door protects (inventory, people, data)
Your budget for long-term reliability vs. upfront cost
We typically recommend
Grade 1 for exterior commercial doors
Grade 2 for internal staff-only doors
Grade 3 only for temporary or non-critical interior use (closets, utility rooms)
Commercial Locks We Install
Deadbolts
Mortise locks
Lever handles
Smart locks and keypad systems
High-security cylinders
Panic bar exit devices (all Grade 1 rated)
Phoenix Areas We Serve
We install Grade 1 and 2 commercial hardware across
Downtown Phoenix
Maryvale
Ahwatukee
Arcadia
Biltmore
Camelback East
North and South Phoenix
And all of Maricopa County
Upgrade to the Right Grade—Before It’s Too Late
Many business owners don’t realize their locks aren’t rated for commercial use until a break-in or failure happens. Let us inspect your current setup and recommend Grade 1 or 2 upgrades where needed.
Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix
(602) 854-2766
affordablesecurityphoenix.com
Related Service Page
Not sure if your locks meet commercial-grade standards?
Let our Phoenix locksmiths upgrade your doors with the right lock hardware