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Different kinds of strike plates have different benefits and downsides depending on what your specific needs are. Let's go through the pros and cons of each type of strike plate in order to determine which type is best for you. But first, we'll give you a full understanding of what a strike plate is and why it's important to install on your door.
What Are Strike Plates?
Strike plates help to keep your door tightly closed. They keep it securely in place until a lever or knob is used to open the door. A strike plate is fastened into the door jamb, guiding the latch into the receiving hole in the jamb, and holding it in place, all without needing to use your lever or knob. Strike plates are the feature that allow you to close your door so it remains shut completely. When installed, the wood on your door is chiseled out to match the shape of the strike plate, making it flush with the jamb. Those are the basic things to know about strike plates, and why they're important for a fully functional and conveniently operable door. But there are many types of strike plates, and with so much variety it can get confusing when you're trying to choose which type is right for you! So, let's dive into each type and break down their pros and cons to help you pick the right one.
Full Lip Strike Plates
Full lip can be considered the common strike plate, most often used for standard doors. There are two different types to suit your door: round corner or square. They're easy to find and are the most common type of strike plate, making them a convenient option for you. However, if your door is already prepped for a different type of strike plate, these may not fit your needs and would become a hassle for you during installation. Full lip strike plates are a great choice for full functionality, and many people rely on them to maintain the operability of their doors.
Pros:
• Easy to find, widely available
• Easy to find an experienced installer
Cons:
• May not fit a door prepped for a different type of plate
• May not fit an extra-wide door
Extended Lip Strike Plates
Extended lip strike plates are much like full lip strike plates in appearance but are better tailored to fit wider doors. They're much wider than a common strike plate, making them able to accommodate doors that are above the standard thickness. If you have a thick door, these will be your best bet, but they're not recommended for use on doors of standard thickness. Measure the thickness of your door to see if your door requires a deeper strike where an extended lip strike plate would be the best choice.
Pros:
• Perfect fit for extra-wide doors
• Widely available
Cons:
• Will not fit on doors of standard width
• May not fit a door prepped for a different type of plate
T-Strike Strike Plates
A T-strike plate is shaped like a T, and while it is not as common as full lip plates, is a common enough one due to many newer doors being pre-prepped for their installation. If your door is prepped for a T-strike plate, that's a pro! If it's not, then the installation would require heavy modification of the door, jamb, and potentially the plate itself, making it essentially a non-starter.
Pros:
• Useful because many doors are prepped for this strike plate
• Easy to find, widely available
• Fairly Easy to find an experienced installer
Cons:
• Will not fit a door prepped for a different type of plate
• Will not fit extra-wide doors
Circular Strike Plates
Circular strike plates are similar to T-strikes because they're shaped uniquely and meant for doors already prepped for them. If your door is ready for one, they're an essential asset for your door. A door pre-prepped for any other plate configuration would make it difficult to re-work for a circular plate.
Pros:
• Will fit doors prepped for this type of plate
Cons:
• Less widely available
• More difficult to find an experienced installer for
• Won't fit doors prepped for another type of plate
• Won't fit extra-wide doors
Deadbolt Strike Plates
These plates are different than the others because they're used for a deadbolt. They don't have a lip because deadbolts don't require one in the strike plate to latch effectively. It helps the bolt to lock into place with ease and adds a bit of aesthetic appeal to the door since they are usually available in a variety of styles to suit your needs. In addition to the aesthetic and security benefits they offer, there aren't very many cons when it comes to deadbolt strike plates. They add to your door without taking anything away!
Pros:
• Adds to the aesthetic appeal of the door
• Helps the deadbolt to latch easily and effectively, extra security
Cons:
• Additional installation
• Additional hardware
10 Comments
Judy
I am looking for an antique brass door latch strike plate with round corners, which is shaped different than the deadbolt kind. Can someone help me find it - I've been all over the internet. Judy
Joe Schebler
I have 5 doors with T-style strike plates that require longer extensions because of newly installed thicker molding. It appears 1.5” measured from the center of the screw line or 2” overall depth measured from front to back is the appropriate extension depth. I have found a few sources of strike plates of varying depth. However, they have all been for the standard strike plate measuring 2 1/4” top to bottom. As you know, the T-style strike plate measure 2 3/4” top to bottom. Do you have any plates that would meet my needs? Thank you. Best regards, Joe Schebler
Donna Morrison
I am looking for standard t striker it needs to be 3” by 1 1/4 with a longer opening so it can be adjusted up or down
Teri Johnson
I’m looking for 4 7/8” dark bronze door plates that was originally in a 100 yr old house Thank you!
Aaron
Question... I've got some missing hardware and not sure what kind of strike plate goes back on. It's for interior double doors (into a master bedroom). I installed a standard strike plate but the lip sticks out really far. I'm wondering if a T strike goes on OR if there's a lip that is smaller. I know there are extended lips, so I'm wondering if there are also smaller lips as well. Any help would be appreciated.
Paul
Dead bolt....flat strike plate...do you make extended hole dead bolt strike plates (no lip)? Tx.
larry creasy
my house has weiser door hardware throughout circa 1963-64 all the strike plates have a small hole in the lip what was purpose for this? anybody know? it seems to have been discontinued.
Guy A.Alexander
Deadbolt Door Strike Plate dimensions: 1.Width 1-1/4”.2.Length 3-9/16.Are dimensions available?
Curtis Vock
Hello. We have a baldwin door and the full lip strike plate is just not perfect. I need that inner lip to extend further to keep the door more tightly closed. Is there any option (dark/black) for this? Thank you. Maybe I have to custom make it? Crazy...
Jake
yes, we have some extended strike plates on our website. Just search for "extended strike" in our search at the top of the website. There are a few options.
Mr. Hammer Time
Hi i have a technical question. I have a full lip strike plate. On occasion clothes will get latched on and get stuck on it with jerk nearly causing fall. Would it be advisable to hammer and bend the lip to make it flat and flush with wall profile? As now the lip will no longer have curve, will this have any effect on how the strike plate lip is supposed to work? Thank you.