If you omit one tiny yet very important factor, the door strike plate, no matter how great your locks and latches are, they won’t be as protective of your home as they could be.
The front door is the first door leading to your house and should, therefore, be adequately protected. Most homeowners consider a door lock or latch when thinking about home security.
What is a Door Strike Plate?
A door strike plate or strike plate, door lock strike plate or door latch strike plate is a metal plate fitted in an internal door jamb against which your latch or lock projects and rests when you shut the door.
There is a hole in the strike plate which provides an easy way to your door’s locking mechanism, no matter whether it is a latch, handle lock, or deadbolt, to correctly align each time you intend to turn the knob and lock it.
Why is the Strike Plate So Meaningful for Security?
When it comes to home security, locks and latches are often the stars while usually a weak or incorrectly installed strike plate can render these heavy ‘guards’ useless against the intruders. While a door may be closed and locked, most of the force toward ensuring it remains secure is concentrated at that small area of the latch and strike plate.
If the strike plate is weak, not attached properly, missing, or made of thin material, the shut door will yield when held or pushed or when one tries to shoulder his way in. This creates a loophole for entering through the latch/lock, as the flex on the door grants them enough room to unlock the door.
Simply replacing the strike plate with one of high quality and correct alignment addresses that weak flex point. Your lock is meant to serve the purpose it was installed for, and so is your front door security.
This article will outline the best options for selecting the perfect strike plate to install in your home.
Comparing different strike plates
Comparing different strike plates, you will realize the existent variety in terms of form and dimensions, material, security level, and additional functions of the product. Consider the following when choosing replacements for exterior doors:
Construction Material
Strike plates are typically made using three types of metal: steel, brass, or bronze. Steel is cheap, and this has the least durability and strength and holds out against weather/impact in the long run. While both metals are a bit pricier initially than some of the other options already mentioned, bronze and brass are durable metals designed for longevity.
Thickness
The thickness of conventional discount store strike plates is generally minimum, an average of 1/8” thick. As for home security, most experts suggest choosing a thickness of not less than 1/4” to avoid breaking or deforming under pressure.
Security Ratings
Now, some strike plates have come with standard ANSI grade ratings ranging from the basic Grade 1 to the highest Grade 3 security that protects against lock tampering or forceful entry. These ratings relay a signal of endurance during attack testing.
Improved Versions
The specific designs may also label features such as two-screw hole positions for a better hold, strike faces bent at an angle to slide off cutting tools, and metal tabs surrounding the bolt gap to shield it. They include these designs as they provide security benefits and reinforce their concepts.
Installation Considerations
Even a high-quality strike plate only protects your home if it has been well installed. Be sure to:
Strike plates should be fitted, and the screws used are long ones which the manufacturer supplies. It restricts the plate from displacing and potentially harming any related materials.
Centre this well before tightening in place, especially from the height of the strike plate to the height of the door lock/latch mechanism. Disconnection in these aims will inhibit appropriate interaction and protection.
When locking the door, use wood shims or spacers to attain a secure fit.
However, to enhance the security of the front door, you don’t necessarily need to change the locks or the latches themselves. Many factory door strike plates are worn or cheaply made, but simple installation of high-quality aftermarket replacement strike plates can be done easily and cost effectively. For your locks to serve their purpose, keep intruders out of your home while supporting your locks as needed.
Most Common Questions That Users Have About Door Strike Plates
When should I replace my door strike plate?
You should replace your strike plate if the strike plate has dents or cracks, the screws are loose, and the strike plate is wobbly, the hole alignment is incorrect, the door has movement or rattles when it is closed and locked, or if it is lightly visible between the door and the jamb.
Which between the bronze, brass or steel is best to go for when purchasing the new strike plate?
Of the types of strike plates that are being used, brass and bronze are most resistant to impact as well as to the ravages of weather, but they are most expensive. It turns out that steel is relatively cheap at the same time it is quite a durable material for most homes. Finally select depending upon two factors that are security needs and costs.
Which are the bare necessities of life that I will need to fit a new door strike plate?
The essentials include a drill, screw driver, tape measure, shims, pencil and a hammer do the trick. These ones you will factor for accurately positioning, temporarily supporting as well as for affixing the new strike plate.
What will it cost to substitute a strike plate by enhanced security?
Basic steel strike plates are easier to get at $5-$10. While the Bronze or high security and those that have enhanced features will set you back $15-$30. Labor will also fall under other costs if do not DIY. Just as a whole it is one of the most cheap ways to make a real significant change to the door security.
Will my new ‘secure’ strike plate fit my existing lock and latch system?
Most probably ‘yes’, if your current lock / latch that you’re replacing doesn’t have odd size. This is the best way to ensuring that the existing strike plate hole size matches that of the replacements that you intend to buy. The US size most commonly used is 2-3/4” x 1-1/8 “.
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