Article

Strike Plates and Frame Reinforcement

Updated October 11, 2026

The frame fails before the lock

Most kick-ins split the door frame at the strike, not the lock. A deadbolt with a 1 inch throw is only as strong as the screws holding the strike plate. Standard strikes ship with 3/4 in screws that bite trim, not stud.

The three upgrades that matter

3 in screws into the stud

The cheapest upgrade in home security. Replace two strike screws with 3 in wood screws driven into the framing. Cost: under $5.

Reinforced strike plate

A deeper box strike spreads force across more frame. Check alignment with the strike checker — a bolt that drags on the strike lip needs fitting, not force.

Door-frame armor kits

Full-length jamb shields for doors that have already split or for high-risk entries. Install before any electronics: a smart lock on a weak frame is decoration.

Order of work

Follow the hardening order: full bolt throw, then strike and screws, then frame, and only then electronics. Score the entry with the security checker before and after.