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The latch, in this case, keeps the door in the shut position it does not secure the door against home invasion. With a traditional strike plate, a simple door latch springs into its hole to keep it closed. If they do get in, the weakness will likely be with the doorframe. If your deadbolt lock is high quality and attached to a decent door, there’s very little chance an intruder will get into your home using brute force. It functions as an anchor point, a way to reinforce the door frame by engaging the deadbolt and keeping the door locked tight. The main function of this simple plate is to secure the door and protect you, your loved ones and your possessions against intruders. Alas, it’s all too often the forgotten half of a door lock, but it shouldn’t be. The deadbolt strike plate is your best option. If you’re unsure, get a door technician to assess your doors, especially the main entrance. There’s little point to having an excellent deadbolt and the best strike plate if the door jams, hinges, door and door frames are weak. Like all security measures, this is just another layer. Kick-in burglaries often occur because of weak or poorly fitted strike plates. #2 Why Replace a Strike PlateĪlmost all doors, and certainly entrance doors, already have a strike plate, so why upgrade? The answer is simple-better door security.
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For the strike plate to be most effective, you need screws that are three inches in length, no shorter. Avoid thin strike plates and those made of reinforced plastic as they’re not as good. A quality strike plate is a low-tech, affordable investment that helps to better secure your entrance doors.
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Not all strike plates are equal, and some offer little to no real protection against a door kicker. You also need to have a strong deadbolt, one that works in harmony with the strike plate, so be sure to check that. With the right strike plate, you get to strengthen your door thus protecting it against kick-ins. Once the door is closed shut, the door’s bolt extends into the strike plate hole(s) and keeps it locked tight. The doorjamb, or doorpost, is the vertical section of your doorframe that secures the door. It has a hole or holes to allow for the door’s bolt(s). #1 A Strike Plate DefinedĪ quality strike plate is made of heavy duty metal and attached to a doorjamb.
#Deadbolt strike plate how to#
Here we look at how to reinforce your door to help prevent burglars from entering into your private space. It’s the purpose of this article to help you better understand the importance of entrance door defense, as this is the first step in home security. This is why we talk about security layers on this site, and never suggest that one security precaution can protect against all crimes. It’s because a housebreaker can easily kick in a weak door, grab some goodies, and escape before the police even arrive. And here’s something you may not know: four out of every five homes broken into have alarms installed. There are probably many more that go unreported. According to the FBI, there’s a staggering 1.1 million residential burglaries each year.
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So how can strike plates help? Keep reading to find out how this simple, low-tech solution can work for you.Ī lot of folks who think they’ve got pretty good security measures in place are in fact quite vulnerable. The reality, however, is quite different. Ideally, you want doors that can’t have their locks picked or their doors kicked in. On average, a housebreaker spends no longer than 8-12 minutes inside a residence. It’s quicker than lock picking and helps crooks to get in and out in the fastest time possible. Please contact us with any questions 1-866-755-LOCK (5625).The door kick-in is a commonly used tactic used by opportunistic burglars. This strike box has break away tabs to allow it to fit all Kwikset Deadbolt Strike Plates. More wood may need to be removed from the door jamb for proper installation.
#Deadbolt strike plate professional#
While installing strike boxes behind strike plates definitely provides additional security against forced entry and a cleaner more professional look, it will require additional installation time. OPTIONAL STRIKE PLATES: 83223 - Round Corner Heavy Duty MOUNTING HARDWARE: N/A - Strike plate screws hold this strike box in placeĬOMPATABILITY: All Kwikset Single and Double Cylinder DeadboltsĪll Kwikset Single and Double Cylinder HandlesetsĪVAILABLE FINISHES: N/A - Strike Box goes behind Strike Plate This is a plastic strike box and has break away tabs to accomodate all Kwikset Deadbolt Strike Plates.ĭIMENSIONS: 3-19/32" Length x 1-3/32" Width The Kwikset Deadbolt Strike Box is designed to be used with all Deadbolt Strike Plates.
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