When it comes to ensuring the security of your home or business, one area that often gets overlooked is the quality of your door hardware. While locks and deadbolts are essential, another crucial component that plays a significant role in door security is the strike plate.
A strike plate is a metal plate placed on the door frame opposite the lockset. It reinforces the lock and provides a secure point for anchoring the bolt or latch of a door. When closed, a bolt or latch will project into its receiving cavity in the bolt’s keeper thereby making sure that it stays there. The absence of an appropriate strike plate challenges the proper securing of both doors making them lousy barriers against burglars who can easily open them.
In this article, we will share more about strike plates;
- How Does A Strike Plate Work?
- Benefits of Installing A Strike Plate On Your Door
- Common Types of Strike Plates and Their Features
- What to Consider When Choosing a Strike Plate for Your Door
- Understanding How to Install a Strike Plate
- The Importance of Hiring Professional Locksmiths in Installing Strike Plate Doors
- Additional Security Measures to Make Doors Safer
- Maintenance and Care Tips for Strike Plates
How Does a Strike Plate Work?
The working principle behind this device seems simple but pragmatic. When shut, any unoccupied hole receives its counterpart from inside which makes whatever object more stable inside. This ensures that when locked, nobody can easily open it from outside by just pushing. The striker keeps on holding the bolt until further notice so as not to break its hard-earned peace while within.
The Benefits of Installing a Strike Plate on Your Door
Using a strong piece of metal to protect your entranceway offers several benefits. Firstly, it acts as another layer of defense against intrusion. An excellent example would be using better-quality materials for your strike plates making breaking through your doors by kicking very hard. Secondly; installing strong strikes will discourage sagging and dislocation over time. For one thing; even If you decide to buy sturdy ones, then you won’t have any problems with alignment anymore.
Lastly, getting an expert to fix your strike plate correctly could improve how well you’re able to use your lockset and make it last longer. They distribute some of this force evenly onto something else which might extend their lifespan too. It’s made possible due to a reduction in damages done by friction which leads to corrosion on their locking mechanism. Someone can easily learn that their lock sets have for sure been in use for a long time only when it starts failing to work smoothly even after being lubricated or how squeaky the key is every time it’s operated.
Common Types of Strike Plates and Their Features
When choosing a strike plate for your door, it is essential to consider the different types available and their features. Some common types of strike plates include:
Full Lip Strike Plates
These strike plates are made with lips on the full length at the edge where they are mounted. They offer maximum security and are ideal for heavy-duty applications.
T-Strike Plates
These kinds of strike plates have a straight piece across their very top which makes them look like the letter T. They’re usually used inside homes and apartments where safety is less important than other parts of the building.
ANSI Strike Plates
These plates meet standards set by ANSI (American National Standards Institute). This means that they go through intensive checks to verify that they can withstand any attempts to break in.
Electric Strike Plates
The electronic access control systems’ strike plates are designed this way. They facilitate remote unlocking and are mostly used in commercial areas.
When selecting a strike plate, consider the level of safety you want, the type of door, and the lockset that exists. Always choose strong quality strike plates made of solid brass or steel which is durable.
What to Consider When Choosing a Strike Plate for Your Door
Proper security requires that you select an appropriate strike plate for your door. Here are some things to think about as you decide:
- Material: Opt for materials such as steel or solid brass while choosing strike plates as they provide better durability and strength hence more secure.
- Size: The correct size ought to be maintained by the strike plate which will fit right into your door ensuring locking.
- Screw Hole Placement: To ensure proper fixing of the plate, always check the positioning of screw holes on the strike plate against those already existing on your door frame.
- Finish: Look at different finishes on a strike plate that will match both its hardware and aesthetic view. Examples include oil-rubbed bronze, polished brass, and satin nickel.
These considerations will enable you to select a good-looking strike plate that enhances security without compromising overall property design.
Understanding How to Install a Strike Plate
Generally speaking, it is pretty easy to install a strike plate. However, one must have accuracy about alignment so as not to compromise its effectiveness. The following steps give an outline of how installation can be done:
- Mark Positioning: Close the door then mark where the latch or bolt hits the frame of your door; this shows where placement should be made regarding the strike plate.
- Chisel the Mortise: Use a chisel to create a mortise in the door frame. The mortise should be deep enough to accommodate the strike plate.
- Align: Place the strike plate above the mortise then put it in line with your latch or bolt. The screw holes of the strike plate must be aligned with the existing holes on a door frame.
- Secure The Strike Plate: Place screws into the doorframe to fix the strike plate to it; make sure that these screws are long enough to penetrate a doorframe and fasten it securely.
- Test Alignment: Close the door and test if there is any resistance between the latch or bolt and with clicking point, in which case further alignment will be necessary. Otherwise, the lock will slide smoothly without getting stuck inside the hole on a plate.
In case you are uncertain about your abilities as a do-it-yourselfer, or you want to ensure that an expert installs it for you, consider engaging an experienced locksmith whose specialty is installing doors that have deadbolts.
The Importance of Hiring Professional Locksmiths in Installing Strike Plate Doors
While some individuals may undertake the installation of strike plates by themselves, it is always advisable to employ a professional locksmith for better results. Only professionals who are skilled and knowledgeable regarding this matter can perform proper installation of strike plates thereby ensuring maximum protection of your doors.
When deciding on hiring a professional locksmith, consider these factors:
- Experience: Get a locksmith with experience in the installation of door strike plates. They will have the necessary knowledge and skills that make them perform effectively.
- Reputation: Check out the opinions from previous users for their reputation. A reputable locksmith will have positive feedback and a history of quality work.
- Licensing and Insurance: Make sure that the locksmith is licensed and insured. In this case, you cannot be held responsible if anything goes wrong during installation.
- Cost: Obtain multiple quotes from several locksmiths and contrast their prices. However, remember that at times cheap may be expensive. The decision-making should also take into account the qualifications and reputation of the locksmith.
By hiring a professional locksmith to install your strike plate doors, you can rest assured that an experienced person is handling them.
Additional Security Measures to Make Doors Safer
Strike plates enhance door security by a great length; however, other moves could help boost your door’s security further. Here are some suggestions:
- Install Deadbolt Locks: These kinds of locks provide more safety by having a strong metal bolt that extends into the frame itself Choose high-end deadbolt locks that can never be picked or tampered with.
- Reinforce Door Frames: Weak door frames can easily compromise security. Make your doors stronger against break-ins by adding metallic plates or using door jamb reinforcement kits on your doors’ frames.
- Install Security Cameras: Install cameras near entrances to serve as deterrents and identify potential thieves or intruders. Cameras near entrances at home will enable you to detect any suspicious actions around them.
- Use Security Bars or Chains: Your doors can be forced open no matter how tight they were shut hence security bars or chains must go along with them as well An example is when one is inside his own home where such devices offer an added layer of protection next to it, especially when alone within premises.
Remember, it is important to have as many levels of safety as possible so as not to allow any intruders into your property.
Maintenance and Care Tips for Strike Plates
If you want your strike plates to last longer and serve you maximally, regular maintenance and care are inevitable.
Here are a few things to do:
- Clean Regularly: Keep cleaning the strike plates at intervals to remove dirt or other debris that may accumulate on them. Use a soapy cloth where necessary.
- Lubricate Moving Parts: Apply a small amount of lubricant to the moving areas of the strike plate which include the latch or bolt so they can easily slide back without sticking or jamming.
- Check for Damage: Always check the strike plates for any form of damage or wear. When cracks, holes, or loose screws are detected on them, they should be mended instantly.
- Test the Security: Occasionally try applying force on your doors to see if their strike plates can withstand it. Thus, if there is any weakness or vulnerability observed, correct it immediately.
Following these instructions will help extend the life of your door’s strikes while maintaining their optimal level of security.
Conclusion
Lastly, strike plates are crucial in securing your doors. They add a level of strength to the door and keep it from being forced open. By knowing what these plates are, how they work, and their advantages, you can make informed decisions towards improving the security of your doors.
Different kinds of strike plates and their characteristics should be put into consideration when selecting a suitable one. It is always better to choose strong strike plates that are made up of sturdy materials. To install it properly, you should device a locksmith expert in this part.
Remember that strike plates are not everything as far as proper door security is concerned; rather they are just elements found within such a setup. Maintaining them regularly along with additional security measures will work much better for you at home or work premises.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of a strike plate?
The main role played by a strike plate is strengthening the frame of the door whereby it provides an anchor for the latch or bolt holding it shut. It helps to prevent intrusion hence making your doors more secure.
2. Can I install a strike plate myself?
While some people may find do-it-yourself installation easy about this component, hiring an expert Locksmith often produces commendable results instead. An experienced locksmith understands how to fix it correctly.
3. How do I choose the right strike plate for my door?
Make sure you consider things like material, size, and screw hole positioning into choices concerning which kind of fastener strikes suits your needs too either enhancing décor or safety features as well around exit points on them.
4. How often should I inspect and maintain my strike plates?
Keep an eye on them frequently so that you can clean them once in a while, oil moving parts, and look for any damages or weaknesses that might be present to detect what needs immediate attention coming from issues affecting its functionality most especially when trying to maximize safety levels given all times.
5. Are strike plates effective in preventing forced entry?
Strike plates are highly effective in stopping break-ins. They reinforce the area around the lockset, making it more difficult for physical attacks and serving as an additional layer of security.