Narrow Stile Aluminum Glass Door Lock Hardware Choices

Aluminum storefront doors come in narrow, medium, and wide stile configurations. The stile refers to the vertical pieces of extruded aluminum into which the lock and some of the hinge mechanisms are installed. The aluminum glass door stiles and rails are usually 1-3/4 inches thick.

The terms narrow, medium, and wide refer stiles refer to the width of the extrusion.

Narrow stile is usually 1-3/4 to approximately 2-1/8" inches wide
Medium stile is usually around 3-1/2 inches wide
Wide stile is usually about 5 inches wide.

The rails, which are the vertical top, sometimes middle and bottom aluminum extrusions, are available in sizes from four to 10 inches or more for the bottom rail. When this type of door is discussed, the terminology often defaults to narrow stile, even when the stile is wider.

Narrow stile aluminum glass storefront door lock options can be divided into two options: non-business hours pivoting deadlock (deadbolt) and deadlatch lock during business hours. The traffic control deadlatch provides an additional benefit, preventing the wind or stack pressure from opening the door. Some deadlatches have the capability to hold the latch retracted to permit unrestricted access and egress.

Important: Before making any lock hardware changes to an aluminum glass stile door, carefully measure the thickness and width (stiles) or height of the extruded aluminum doorframe. Door stile width and thickness can determine what door locking hardware can and cannot be used and the available area for lock installation.

The glass panel can be in different thickness ranging from approximately 3/16" to one inch. The thicker the glass, the more support is required to keep it in place. As a result, if the stile is too narrow, the backset of the lock may be too deep. Installing a questionable lock can result in contacting the edge of the glass, causing it to break.

It is important to know how the doorframe extrusion components are constructed. For example, Tubelite doors use steel tire-rod (threaded shaft and nuts) construction at the top and bottom of the doors to hold the stiles and rails together. This method of construction permits the doors to be disassembled, resized and assembled in the field. Other manufactures weld the corners together.

In this article, we will discuss mechanical and electromechanical lever-equipped pushbutton locks that are designed to be narrow stile glass aluminum door retrofit outside trim. They accommodate the Adams Rite-style deadlocks and deadlatches. They have a narrow and longer footprint to accommodate the width of the stile and to cover most existing door prep.

Lock manufacturers who offer narrow stile glass aluminum, lever handle door retrofit outside trim and complete locks include Adams Rite, Alarm Lock, Codelocks, Kaba Access & Data Systems Americas and LockeyUSA. They are available as mechanical and electromechanical pushbutton versions.

Most of the above manufacturers’ products are designed to retrofit onto a narrow stile glass aluminum door that is configured for an Adams Rite or similar style ANSI mortise deadlatch. Some are designed to accommodate the deadlock. The retrofit outside trim version is designed to take the place of the existing outside trim. The retrofit outside trim measures more than 10 inches to cover any pre-existing door prep.

Codelocks CL460/CL465

Codelocks CL460 and CL465 Narrow Stile Mechanical Pushbutton Locks have 14 buttons, 13 numbered and the "C" Clear button. The lock body is 10-1/8" tall by 1-7/8" wide. A mortise cylinder for key override operation is beneath the mortise cylinder.

The Codelocks' code chamber can be programmed for one to thirteen numbers making up the one operating code. A four-number code can have 715 possibilities and a five-number code has 1287 possibilities. Using all 13 buttons, a total of 8,191 different codes are available. Buttons may be used only once.

The Codelocks' code is non-sequential; it can be entered in any order. For example if the code is 1234, it can be entered in any order as long as 1, 2, 3, and 4 are each entered once. The "C" button clears the code chamber and should be pressed prior to entering a code. To change the code, the lock must be removed from the door

The Codelocks CL465 has a passage function. The CL460 and CL465 locks are handed and must be prepped for the door handing. These locks are sold as retrofit trim without a deadlatch. They are compatible with the Adams Rite 4510 lockcase or similar style ANSI mortise deadlatches.

LockeyUSA 2985

LockeyUSA’s 2985 Narrow Stile Lever Pushbutton Lock offers keyless entry by code. The 5-1/2" tall by 1-5/8" wide lock has 14 buttons in two vertical columns. Twelve buttons are for code entry: 1-10, "X" and "Z." The "Y" button controls passage mode and the "C" button clears the code chamber. To enter passage mode, enter the code and press the "Y" button. The lever handle is unlocked and will retract the latch. To return to locked operation, enter the "Y" then the "C" buttons. The lever is locked.

The Lockey 2985 code chamber can be programmed for one to 12 numbers making up the one operating code. Using all 12 buttons for the code provides more than 8,000 different codes. The pushbutton code is non-sequential and can be entered in any order. Prior to entering a code, the "C" button should be used to clear the code chamber. Buttons may only be used once in a code.

The lock's code chamber uses code and non-code tumblers to create the code. To change the code, the lock must be removed from the door and the cover plate removed. The tumblers must then be installed for the new code and the cover plate re-installed.

The Lockey 2985 comes complete with a front and rear assembly and the latch mechanism. The latch does not retrofit to Adams Rite 4510 or similar style ANSI mortise deadlatches. However, the latch body outside dimensions retrofit.

Adams Rite eForce-150 3090

The Adams Rite eForce-150 3090 Keyless Entry is a battery-operated pushbutton keypad-equipped entry trim for glass aluminum narrow stile door applications. The outside housing assembly is 15-3/8" tall by 1-3/4" wide. The clutch protected outside lever is field selectable.

The eForce-150 3090 can accommodate up to 150 user codes, including a master, supervisor, and emergency users, plus two one-time codes. The master, supervisor, lockout and passage codes must be four to seven digits. The normal user and one-time user codes must be two to seven digits.

The keypad contains 12 keys, arranged in two vertical columns. The numeric keys (1-10) are for code entry. The "*" and the "#" buttons are used for programming. The "*" key is entered after a user code. Three LEDs ‑ red, yellow and green ‑ are above the keypad. Being electromechanical, device operation is confirmed by an LED and a sound generated by the piezo.

The eForce-150 3090 can operate in three modes: Standard, Passage, and Lockout. All programming is accomplished via the keypad. If three invalid code entries are attempted, the eForce-150 3090 the keypad stops accepting key presses. In the error lockout is indicated by one red LED flash and three tones, followed by one tone per second for the duration.

The Adams Rite eForce-150 3090 Keyless Entry is compatible with Adams Rite deadlocks, deadlatches and exit devices.

Alarm Lock DL1200/DL1300/PDL1300

Alarm Lock Trilogy Narrow Stile aluminum glass door retrofit outside trim comes in three models: DL1200, DL1300 and PDL1300. These battery powered trim devices are compatible with Adams Rite style deadlatches and hook bolt deadlocks. The outside trim is 14-3/8”H x 1-5/8”D x 1-3/4”W.

The Alarm Lock DL1200 supports 100 three- to six-digit PIN user codes, which are keypad programmable. It has an all metal, 12-button, two vertical columns, vandal-resistant keypad. Backsets include 31/32", 1-1/8" and 1-1/2". The DL1200 has a mortise cylinder located just beneath the lever. The DL1200 is powered by two Lithium 3Volt batteries providing approximately 100,000 cycles. The opening for the key override accommodates 1-1/8”, 1-1/4” and 1-3/8” conventional and interchangeable mortise cylinders. The DL1200 is based on the 2700 Trilogy Series.

The DL1300 expands the capabilities to 2,000 user codes, PC programming and features 40,000 event audit trail by user. A 500-event schedule is operated by a real-time clock. The DL1300 is powered by two Lithium 3Volt batteries providing approximately 80,000 cycles. The DL1300 is based on the 3000 Trilogy Series.

The Alarm Lock PDL1300 further expands the capabilities to include a built-in proximity reader. The system supports up to 2000 users with HID Proximity ID Cards/fobs or three- to six-digit digit PIN codes. The DL1300 is powered by two Lithium 3Volt batteries providing approximately 65,000 cycles. The DL1300 is based on the 3000 Trilogy Series.

Alarm Lock DL1200, DL1300 and PDL1300 lever models are compatible with Adams Rite deadlocks and deadlatches.

Kaba E-Plex 3X00 Series Trim

Kaba E-Plex 3000/3200/3600/3700 Series lever handle locks are battery operated electronic pushbutton retro-fittable outside trim for narrow stile glass aluminum doors. This Kaba E-Plex Series trim provides traffic control for multiple users using keypad and/or card credentials. A mortise lock cylinder provides key override. These trims are compatible with various Adams Rite mortise locks including deadlocks and deadlatches.

The base model Kaba E-Plex 3000 Series Electronic Pushbutton Lock has 300 keypad access codes, an audit trail with up to 9,000 events including use of mechanical key override (requires optional software). Code lengths are four to eight digits. Re-lock time is adjustable from two to 20 seconds. The anti-tamper lockout is adjustable from three to nine invalid attempts with lockout ranging from 0 to 90 seconds. Four AA alkaline batteries provide up to 180,000 cycles.

Programming the E-Plex 3000 is accomplished using the 12-button vandal resistant keypad or with optional Microsoft® Excel®-based software. Five levels of control include one-time service codes, "come-and-go" codes that provide unlimited access for one to 24 hours, user codes and two higher level codes. Operational modes include access (via credential), lockout, passage and scheduled access. Passage mode can be toggled on/off or pre-programmed to re-lock manually or via optional software.

Kaba E-Plex 3200 Series Electronic Pushbutton Lock requires software for operation. The use of software increases the number of keypad access codes to 3,000 and the audit trail is increased to 30,000 events. The locks are programmed via the Enterprise software, which expands the authority levels to six for the E-Plex 3200 trim. In addition, up to 16 access schedules can be programmed with up to 32 holiday/vacation blocks. Four AA alkaline batteries provide up to 180,000 cycles.

The Kaba E-Plex 3700 Series Electronic Pushbutton Lock incorporates PROX Cards. The Kaba E-Plex 3600 Series Electronic Pushbutton Lock incorporates MIFARE, DESFire, and iCLASS Smart cards. These Kaba E-Plex Locks are programmed via keypad with LearnLok feature or via E-Plex Enterprise Software, which provides PC management of doors and users.

Kaba E-Plex 3700 Series and 3600 Series Electronic Pushbutton Locks are upgradeable to wireless. The Kaba E-Plex 3000 and 3200 Series can be distinguished from the E-Plex 3600 and 3700 Series lever models by the black cap on the 3600 and 3700 models.

Kaba E-Plex 3000/3200/3600/3700 Series lever models are compatible with Adams Rite deadlocks and deadlatches.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or the following manufacturers: