It’s easy to forget about the warranties on your hardware. In fact, I’d venture to say most people never think about them until something goes wrong. And with the amount of use door hardware undergoes, it’s safe to assume something is going to happen.

While the upfront cost of higher-grade hardware may scare you off– it often ends up saving you money in the big picture.

The infographic below takes a look at “lifetime cost” of your door hardware:

By the Numbers: Warranties Matter

Let’s use a Grade One lockset with a ten year warranty for example:

Year one you’ll spend more than double the cost than if you went with a light duty lockset. However, check out the jump in cost in years two through five–$590! That certainly isn’t pocket change!

Let’s break down the numbers further: Over the course of years two, three, four, and five, you’ll face both maintenance issues and the cost of replacement if you choose a light duty lockset. Light duty locksets aren’t built for the wear and tear that a higher grade is built for.

Correct Door Hardware Application Matters

Of course, this all comes back to the correct application. LockNet never advises the use of a higher grade of hardware than what is needed. If your facility’s infrastructure doesn’t require a Grade One lockset, there’s absolutely no reason to install one. However, to use lower grade hardware than needed does open the door to a bevy of problems, so make sure you choose wisely.

Your ten-year cost with the Grade One lockset is dramatically lower, and it all comes back to the use of your warranty. Lower grade hardware isn’t going to sustain as much wear and tear, and it’s going to have a shorter warranty window.

None of this means that you need to purchase the most expensive/highest grade hardware available. Simply put – do your research; make sure you use the correct grade hardware. Check into what your warranty covers and what it doesn’t. If you have any question on what grade you need or what your warranty covers, give us a call. We have plenty of knowledgeable service technicians standing by to help!