What’s a Strike Plate in a Door? How They Work, Types, and When to Use Them
Door hardware that’s small but mighty
A strike plate is a metal piece on a doorframe that lines up with the lockset and knob.
These plates come in different shapes and sizes, but the full lip strike plate is the most common.
For security purposes, all interior and exterior doors should have strike plates.
If you’re researching how to install new doors or how to fix a door, you’ve likely encountered strike plates. A strike plate in a door is the small metal hardware on the frame that secures the door’s latch and bolt. Without it, the door can’t lock properly. Read on to learn about the different types of strike plates, how to choose one, and how a door repair pro can help get your door working again.
What Is a Strike Plate?
The strike plate is a rectangular or circular metal piece with a hole for the door latch and lock. It’s installed flush on the doorframe and keeps your door safely shut. Although it might seem like a minor door part, it’s just as important as any other component.
When your strike plate is poorly installed or failing, your locking system won’t work as it should. For example, you might unintentionally leave your door unlocked when you thought you locked it. Or, a failing strike plate can make it easier for someone to force entry through the door.
Types of Strike Plates for Doors
Each latch type and dead bolt require different strike plates. Here are the different types of strike plates for doors:
Full Lip Strike Plates: The most common strike plate type for standard doors is the full lip. These have rounded or square corners with a half-oval lip.
Extended Lip Strike Plates: Extended lip strike plates look just like full lip ones, except the space between the hole for the latch and the edge of the lip is longer. These work well for extra-thick doors.
T-Strike Plates: T-Strike plates are shaped like the letter “T” with a rectangular base and a smaller rectangular lip in the middle.
Circular Strike Plates: Circular strike plates are less common and have a D-shaped opening for the latch.
Dead Bolt Strike Plates: Dead bolt strike plates are rectangular-shaped with an opening for the bolt and no lip. If you have two dead bolts on one door, you can get a combo strike plate (one piece with two openings for both bolts). This design offers more security and doesn’t cost much more than a regular plate.
Electric Strike Plates: Electric strike plates lock and release mechanical latch and bolts. They’re long and rectangular with mechanical wiring in the housing. If you’re looking for an electronic lock, look for a fully electrified system that includes the latch, bolt, and strike.
Colors: Strike plates are usually silver, but they also come in various shades of bronze and gold. For a cohesive look, the best bet is to choose a strike plate in the same color as your doorknob.
When to Install Strike Plates
Every door in your home should have a strike plate. Interior doors without locks benefit from strike plates because they protect the doorframe and help the door shut with a tight seal. Without one, your door latch will rub against the frame, wearing it down over time.
Exterior and interior doors with locks must have strike plates to work, and every bolt also requires a strike plate.
Here are signs you need to replace or repair an existing strike plate:
Rust on the plate
Visible damage
The door or dead bolt doesn’t latch
Locks don’t open and close smoothly
Loose door
After a break-in attempt
How to Choose a Strike Plate
If you’re replacing an existing strike plate, remove the old one, take it to the hardware store, and look for a close match for your replacement. For a new door installation, buy your door handle and dead bolt first and check the installation instructions for the correct strike plate size and type.
Most strike plates have two holes, but some have four screw holes. For maximum security, get plates with four holes and use 3-inch screws.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing a strike plate varies in difficulty, depending on your project. Most DIYers can take on an existing strike plate replacement since it’s as simple as removing the old plate and installing the new plate with screws. However, installing a strike plate for a new door requires skill and precision since it’s part of a bigger door installation.
In any case, if you’re not experienced with working on doors or don’t have time in your busy schedule to take on the job yourself, call a door repair company near you to help. Keeping your strike plates in working order can improve the functionality and security of your doors.
You can adjust your strike plate by filing it down or reinstalling it in the right position. Filing it will only work for slightly misaligned plates. Otherwise, remove the strike plate and reinstall it in the right spot. Figure out how to adjust the plate by covering the end of the bolt in chalk, closing the door, and locking the bolt. That’ll show you where the chalk hits the plate, so you’ll know where to reinstall it.
Strike plates and security plates are the same thing, but there are strike plates that offer more security than others. For the highest security, look for plates made of heavy-duty steel, reinforced strike plates thicker than regular ones, and extended strike plates. It’s much harder to break into a door with these strike plates because they hold up better to force from attempted entry.
