- \n
- Many older doors can be retrofitted for modern electronic access control without full replacement.<\/li>\n
- Retrofit upgrades can help preserve historic character while improving security and convenience.<\/li>\n
- A professional assessment can determine whether retrofit or full door replacement makes the most sense.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Don\u2019t think that just because your building is on the older side you can\u2019t have nice new things. Many modern electronic access control systems can be retrofitted to older, in-market doors with minimal impact, preserving your building\u2019s historical integrity and charm. And if you own or manage an older building in the Chicago area, you have an experienced partner in Anderson Lock. We\u2019ve been retrofitting older doors with access controls for years.<\/span><\/p>\n
Understanding Access Control Systems<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Electronic](\"https:\/\/www.andersonlock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SmartLockSlide4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cAccess control\u201d is an industry term that emerged with the development of more sophisticated electronic locks and network capabilities.The familiar lock-and-key setup most buildings have is an analog access control system; one that dates back to the <\/span>ancient Assyrians<\/span><\/a>, in fact.<\/span><\/p>\n
Modern access controls, often called smart locks, use electricity to power keypads and sensors that give you more control. When we say \u201caccess control,\u201d we often mean the device itself. When we say \u201caccess control <\/span>system<\/span><\/i>,\u201d we mean the whole set of devices, software, and processes you use to manage:<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- Who can gain access<\/span><\/li>\n
- Which doors they can use<\/span><\/li>\n
- When they can do it<\/span><\/li>\n
- How they do so<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Challenges for Upgrading Older Buildings with Electronic Access Controls<\/span><\/h2>\n
Chicago and the surrounding region boast many beautiful government and commercial buildings and multi-unit residences, but many of the most historic ones predate modern safety and accessibility standards, not to mention consumer demands.<\/span><\/p>\n
Upgrading access controls for older buildings may involve facing challenges like:<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- Non-compliant hardware:<\/b> Knobs that are too hard to turn or inadequate closers that are too fast.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Tight spaces:<\/b> Doorways can be narrower than code. The layouts of vestibules, foyers, and halls can create problems for fire and egress codes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Old-fashioned construction:<\/b> Older doors and frames were not designed to route power or data cables through them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Historical features:<\/b> Decorative doors, trim, vision lites, and even hardware that you want to preserve as long as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Especially for commercial, government, and school buildings, you face the additional challenge of increasing <\/span>user demand<\/span><\/a> for more modern access control systems regardless of the obstacles.<\/span><\/p>\n
What \u201cRetrofitting\u201d Really Means<\/span><\/h2>\n
The good news is that upgrading to electronic access controls often does not require completely replacing your doors and frames.
![\"Slim](\"https:\/\/www.andersonlock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP_MT11_Black_SR-1-115x300.jpg\")
Retrofitted access controls can be fit into your existing doors and frames with minimal to no modifications. This may involve:<\/span><\/p>\n- \n
- Replacing <\/b>a mechanical lock with an electronic lockset that fits your existing door prep<\/span><\/li>\n
- Mounting<\/b> readers or keypads on doors, frames, or exteriors, panic and egress hardware on doors, door closers<\/span><\/li>\n
- Wiring <\/b>the door to power an electronic access control or an automatic door closer<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Will retrofitting alter my doors?<\/span><\/h3>\n
We strive to make as few modifications as necessary. <\/span><\/p>\n
But in the case of some older buildings, especially when hardware has been replaced many times over the years, the door or frame may require some additional prep so they can accept the new hardware without losing integrity. <\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cDoor prep\u201d can involve coring (reshaping the holes the lock and latch fit into), drilling new mounting holes, and running wire to the door and frame, depending on the lockset.<\/span><\/p>\n
Rest assured we will explain any modifications prior to making them.<\/span><\/p>\n
Benefits of Smart Lock Retrofit Upgrades<\/span><\/h2>\n
Retrofitting your older building<\/span><\/a> with access control hardware saves you the expense of replacing the doors altogether for more modern doors that are designed for modern controls. In other words, it\u2019s a lot cheaper.<\/span><\/p>\n
Retrofitting causes much less disruption for tenants, students, patients, etc. in terms of dust, demolition, and entryway downtime than replacing the whole door.<\/span><\/p>\n
And for many of our Chicagoland customers, the biggest benefit is preserving the historic character of their building while still improving safety and usability.<\/span><\/p>\n
When Retrofitting Makes Sense<\/span><\/h2>\n
In general, re<\/span>trofitting does make sense as the first option to consider when upgrading to modern electronic access controls. Retrofitting is usually a good option when:
![\"Historic](\"https:\/\/www.andersonlock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20230901_131716-scaled-e1771017503479-300x253.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- Your doors are in good physical and operating condition<\/span><\/li>\n
- Your doors meet any <\/span>fire rating requirements<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
- Existing frames can support surface-mounted hardware and wiring<\/span><\/li>\n
- Your doors and frames can handle minor coring or drilling if necessary<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
One of our access control experts can help you assess whether your doors are good candidates for retrofitted access controls.<\/span><\/p>\n
Signs You May Need to Replace Your Doors<\/span><\/h2>\n
In some cases, a retrofit is not the best solution, and the only way to upgrade your access controls is to replace the doors altogether:<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- Structural or safety issues:<\/b> If your door is warped, rotted, or heavily damaged, retrofitting the lockset will not be enough to ensure security. By the same token, if the door does not meet fire ratings requirements, a retrofit can\u2019t help you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Incompatible construction:<\/b> Some historic doors and frames are too thin or delicate to handle coring or drilling that may be required for a retrofit.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Comprehensive system upgrades:<\/b> If your project involves major renovations to your whole building, it may make more sense to simply replace the doors at the same time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Incompatible construction:<\/b> Some historic doors and frames are too thin or delicate to handle coring or drilling that may be required for a retrofit.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Your doors meet any <\/span>fire rating requirements<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
- Mounting<\/b> readers or keypads on doors, frames, or exteriors, panic and egress hardware on doors, door closers<\/span><\/li>\n
- Replacing <\/b>a mechanical lock with an electronic lockset that fits your existing door prep<\/span><\/li>\n
- Historical features:<\/b> Decorative doors, trim, vision lites, and even hardware that you want to preserve as long as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Old-fashioned construction:<\/b> Older doors and frames were not designed to route power or data cables through them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Tight spaces:<\/b> Doorways can be narrower than code. The layouts of vestibules, foyers, and halls can create problems for fire and egress codes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Which doors they can use<\/span><\/li>\n
- Who can gain access<\/span><\/li>\n