How to Choose the Right Security Entrances for Your Building

When securing a building, the entrance is more than just a doorway, it’s your first line of defense. But with so many types of security entrances on the market, which one is right for your facility? While return on investment (ROI) is often the primary consideration, the smarter question is: Which type of entrance best aligns with our specific needs and objectives?

Rethinking ROI in Security

Evaluating ROI for security solution investments is rarely straightforward. While some benefits can be quantified, such as reducing tailgating or lowering staffing costs, others are more abstract. Does the entrance improve the visitor experience? Support sustainability goals? Reinforce brand image?

In other words, choosing the right entrance means thinking beyond the price tag. It means understanding how each solution performs in your specific context and what you’re truly trying to protect, whether that’s people, data, property, or reputation.

Security Entrance Types: What to Consider

• Tripod turnstiles are often used in places like transit stations or stadiums where controlling flow is the priority. They’re affordable and handle high traffic well, but offer minimal security, as they can be easily bypassed by tailgaters. Their industrial design makes them unsuitable for image-conscious environments like corporate lobbies.

• Full-height turnstiles offer stronger physical security, especially for outdoor settings like warehouses or remote facilities. Their cage-like design effectively deters unauthorized entry, but they’re slow and not particularly welcoming—making them a poor choice for indoor use.

• Optical turnstiles without barriers strike a balance between aesthetics and throughput. They’re sleek and unobtrusive, ideal for modern office lobbies. While they detect tailgating through sensors, they can’t physically stop it, meaning human intervention is still needed for enforcement.

• Optical turnstiles with barriers build on that design by adding a physical deterrent, such as swinging or sliding panels. These enhance security while preserving a clean look. They cost more and still don’t offer complete prevention of unauthorized entry, but they’re a strong choice for environments that value both security and appearance.

• Security revolving doors take security a step further by physically preventing tailgating. Their compartmentalized design ensures only one person enters at a time, and they can be equipped with sensors to detect piggybacking. While the upfront investment is higher, they eliminate the need for security staff at the door and can contribute to energy efficiency.

• Security portals, also known as mantraps, are the gold standard for access control in sensitive areas like data centers or R&D labs. They use multi-factor authentication and biometric scanning to enforce strict one-person entry. Though they offer the highest security level, they also come with the highest cost and lowest throughput, making them ideal for protecting critical infrastructure rather than high-traffic zones.

What Else Should You Weigh?

The right entrance should stop intruders and align with your overall facility goals. Will you need to staff the entrance? How will it function during an emergency evacuation? Does it reduce energy loss? Does it reflect the professionalism and prestige of your organization?

These aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re key components of a smart physical security strategy.

Match the Entrance to the Risk

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. A barrier-free optical turnstile might be perfect for a tech campus, while a data center demands the airtight control of a security portal. By focusing on your operational priorities and understanding the capabilities of each entrance type, you can make a choice that delivers long-term financial and strategic value.