BROWSE BY BRAND :
Tuesday, April 28th, 2015
Security professionals are often tasked with finding solutions and recommending products to make an entryway more secure. Many times these security recommendations are for new construction or a hardware retrofit, while other times the recommendations for a more secure entryway are triggered by a breach in security. There are many passive security features hardware manufacturers have available for mechanical and electronic locking hardware that provide a more secure entryway. Many of these options include:
These are great features to protect the lock hardware, but they fail to address the connection between the door and jamb. There are simple and relatively inexpensive physical security solutions that provide added security to the entryway to deter doorjamb attacks. These include latch protectors and security strikes.
Installation of security strike plates is a passive security feature that can often be overlooked. Security strike plates are larger and thicker than traditional strike plates and are designed to provide additional reinforcement around the extended latch or deadbolt on the jamb side of the entryway. Security strikes can also be surface mounted in order to shrink the gap between the door and the jamb. Security strike plates are a vital component of any passive entryway security plan and help deter forced entry through kick-ins, door prying, jamb spreading, and many other action intended to defeat the lock.
There are three key components to look for when choosing a security strike:
The area of the security strike plate, or more importantly the length of the strike, is vital in providing added security to the entryway and a feature that is overlooked with traditional strike plates. The added length of a security strike plate provides a metal reinforcement to a softer substance, such as the wood jamb. Where a blunt object, like a screw driver, can be used to break the wooden jamb, the added security of a metal security strike plate provides more stability and deters manipulation or forced entry.
The length of the screws used with a security strike plate is most important. Many OEM supplied strike plates come with screws whose length fastens into the doorjamb. These types of screw do not secure the entryway from a doorjamb attack. Security strike plates usually provide 3” or longer screws that fasten the security strike plate directly into the stud located behind the jamb. Pro-Lok provides 3” long screws with each security strike. The additional length reduces the chances of the strike plate being dislodged during a doorjamb attack, keeping the integrity of the entryway.
Security strike plates are most effective when the screws anchored into the stud are installed in a staggered patterned versus linear pattern. Staggered entry points provide multiple anchor locations at different positions into the stud, which add to the strength and stability of the security strike plate. The staggered hole pattern should be incorporated into the product by the security strike plate manufacturer and this feature reduces the chances of the security strike plate from being removed by forcible entry.
Lastly, High Security Box Strikes take security strike plates a step further for an additional level of security. Incorporated in the product design is a steel box, or housing, that shelters the bolt or latch when fully extended. This steel housing protects the bolt or latch from forced entry and jamb manipulation by providing an additional metal reinforcement to ensure the integrity of the entryway. Installing a High Security Box Strike will take more time than a traditional security strike plate, but will also increase the billable services provided by the installer.
In 2010 PRO-LOK launched ENTRY ARMOR, and new brand of security door hardware products build on innovation. The asset only acquisition of MAG Manufacturing the following year helped PRO-LOK shape the types of products Entry Armor manufactures which includes: custom and stock wrap plates and flat plates, latch protectors, strike plates, adaptor plates, holes covers, filler plates, door viewers, patio locks, window locks, and more. Entry Armor also has the capabilities to turn custom jobs around in as little as 1-2 days.
| Item Number | Description | Measurements |
| ESP-100 | “T” Strike Plate | 1-1/8” x 2-3/4” |
| ESP-104 | Full Lip Strike Plate | 2-1/4” x 1-1/8” |
| ESP-110 | Security Lip Security Strike | 8” x 1-1/4” |
| ESP-120 | Large Lip Strike Plate | 4-7/8” x 1-1/4” |
| ESP-130 | Double Lip Strike Plate | 11” x 1-5/8” with 3-5/8” center to center |
| ESP-131 | Double Lip Strike Plate | 11” x 1-5/8” with 5-1/2” center to center |
| ESP-140 | 6” Security Strike Plate | 6” x 1-1/8” |
| ESP-141 | 7-3/4” Security Strike Plate | 7-3/4” x 1-5/8” |
| ESP-142 | 3-5/8” Security Strike Plate | 3-5/8” x 1-1/4” |
| ESP-143 | 4-7/8” Security Strike Plate | 4-7/8” x 1-1/4” |
| ESP-150 | High Security Box Strike | 4-7/8” x 1-1/4” |
| ESP-170 | Mortise Strike Plate | 4-7/8” x 1-1/4” |
| ESP-171 | ANSI Lip Strike Plate | 4-7/8” x 1-5/8” |
| ESP-172 | Large Lip Strike Plate | 4-7/8” x 1-1/6” |
| ESP-180 | Small Adjustable Strike Plate | 2-3/4” x 1-1/8” |
| ESP-181 | Large Adjustable Strike Plate | 4-7/8” x 1-1/4” |
Entry Armor strike plates are manufactured from a steel base, for added security, and finished with a high quality plating process. The finishes available within the strike plate line of products include antique brass, brass, and chrome.
There are many components to a secure passive security plan and there is more to door security that just the locking hardware. Remember, the other side of door hardware plays a critical role in your plan and the door hardware is only as secure as the strike. These solutions can provide peace of mind to the customer while increasing billable services.
