Oversized door strike plate9/16/2023 ![]() ![]() Note: In our example the strike plate has rounded edges. Using a sharp wood chisel, preferably 1 inch or larger, remove the material between the lines and the old position of the strike plate. Step 2 is to measure 1/4 inch up from the current position of the strike plate and draw a straight line across the top and a line going down to match the inside edge of the strike plate, as shown in Figure 3. In our example the strike plate needs to be moved 1/4 inch up in order for the center of the strike plate to align with the center of the door bolt. Close the door so that the door bolt is resting up against the strike plate and measure the distance that the center of the door bolt is off from the center of the door bolt, as shown in Figure 4. Does it need to go up or down and by how much? To do this, use a pencil to mark the center of the strike plate, as shown in Figure 3, and the center of the bolt. The first step is to determine the position that you want the strike plate, relative to where it is now. Figure 3 - Center of strike plate Figure 4 - Center of door bolt Realigning a strike plate is not a simplistic project, if you want to do it properly. ![]() If you want to have loose screws in the strike plate and/or split wood above or below the strike plate then follow their instructions. As well if the mortise is snug around the strike plate, which it should be, driving the strike plate up or down can cause the wood to split. The screws holding the strike plate in position are not meant to move up or down, even a 1/16 inch. This proposed method of repair will generally cause more damage than it fixes. Note: You will come across websites and books that suggest that you hit the strike plate with a chisel or other heavy object to drive its position either up or down. This means that adjusting the strike plate will most likely leave a visible gap between the door jamb and the strike plate. In most cases the strike plate has been mortised into the door jamb in order for it to sit flat with the face of the door jamb. It is also likely that the door is sticking, as well as the strike plate being out of position. Note: Before attempting to repair a misaligned strike plate make sure that the problem is not loose hinge screws or a damaged hinge. The shifting and setting of a house or other building can cause an interior or exterior door to go out of alignment and in some cases it means that the door bolt will no longer seat properly in the strike plate, hence the door will not remain in the closed position. The strike plate catches the door bolt, which is part of the passage set, and holds the door in a closed position. The strike plate, as shown in Figure 1, is that piece of hardware that is mounted on the door jamb. ![]()
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