How To Install Door Lock Strike Plate

The strike will hold the bolt in place keeping the door locked until the bolt is retracted using a key or thumb turn.

How to install door lock strike plate.

Have a door out of alignment due to settling. Once you have reached the necessary depth remove the tape. What you didn t know you could adjust a door strike. To allow proper clearance for the lock to operate most strike plates are recessed into the door frame.

Fortunately cutting out this mortise isn t nearly as difficult as it sounds. The mortise needs to be as deep as the strike plate is thick. Many smart locks have a flaw that makes them vulnerable to break ins. Drill pilot holes for the strike plate s two screws with a 3 32 inch bit then screw the plate in place.

Using the technique described in steps 6 and 7 chisel out a mortise as deep as the strike plate is thick. A mortise or recess must be made in the door jamb to accept the strike plate. To install a door strike plate you must first mark the location of the plate on the door jamb. Whether you re installing a lock plate also called a strike plate for a deadbolt lock or a standard lockset you first must install the lock or lockset onto the door following the manufacturer s instructions.

The strike is installed on the door frame and contains a hole that catches the latch or bolt that extends from the lock. But for 10 or less consumer reports says you can buy some a tougher door strike plate and peace of mind. Then reattach the strike plate. The stripped hole repair kit from king s original ha.

Lastly screw the strike plate into place on the doorjamb. If it s not remove the strike plate and chisel out more wood until it s deep enough. Step 6 mounting the new strike plate. Install the strike plate photo by david carmack.

Close and open the door to be sure that the latch is catching properly. Knowing how to cut a mortise is essential for installing a deadbolt lock. You ll need to cut a mortise a small shallow recess in the wood of the door and doorjamb for the latchbolt and strike plate to rest. Install the strike plate and test that the deadbolt is working properly and that the hole in the door jamb is deep enough to accept the entire bolt.

Hold the strike plate over the mortise and score its outline with a utility knife. Next a hole must be drilled in the jamb to accept the door lock bolt.