Reviews
Best Strike Plates for Residential Doors (2026)
Ranked strike plates and box strikes evaluated against the Consumer Reports long-screw principle — Canadian retail availability and installation notes.
Updated 2026-04-25
How we ranked
Consumer Reports found that reinforced box strikes paired with long screws materially improved kick-in resistance across every lock tested[1]. That standard guided the rankings below.
The criteria, in order, were:
- Box strike or long combination plate, rather than a flat stamped decorative plate.
- Three-inch screws included, or a clear instruction to use them.
- Canadian retail availability, with stock at Home Depot Canada, Home Hardware, or equivalent.
- Price in the $10–$30 range; spending more does not improve performance here.
Products with no independent test evidence and products available only via US-only shipping were excluded.
Ranked picks
Ranked picks
Best budget strike-only upgrade found at Canadian retail. It follows the box-strike/long-screw pattern Consumer Reports found valuable, but it does not protect the hinge side or door edge.
- Price:
- $10-$20
- Certification:
- No ANSI/BHMA retrofit-kit certification found
- Two-piece strike
- 1/8 inch heavy-gauge steel base
- Pilot holes for 3 inch screws
A stronger choice when the latch and deadbolt spacing matches. The six long screws make it more frame-oriented than cosmetic strikes.
- Price:
- $15-$30
- Certification:
- No ANSI/BHMA retrofit-kit certification found
- One-piece latch/deadbolt combo strike
- For 5-1/2 to 6 inch hole centers
- Six 3 inch screws
StrikeMaster II Pro
A long-plate specialty strike with a better load-distribution concept than small strikes. Evidence is mostly manufacturer/spec and security-community recommendation, not a public lab certification.
- Price:
- $60-$120 landed estimate
- Certification:
- No public ANSI/BHMA retrofit-kit certification found
- Long strike reinforcement plate
- Designed to distribute force along the jamb
- Often paired with door-edge reinforcement
A Canadian retail strike option for compatible jambs. It is useful when the door prep fits ASA dimensions, but it has less product-specific testing evidence.
- Price:
- $10-$25
- Certification:
- No ANSI/BHMA retrofit-kit certification found
- ASA-style strike
- Stamped steel
- Long screw installation
A latch-side upgrade for doors where latch engagement matters, but deadbolt reinforcement remains the more important forced-entry upgrade.
- Price:
- $10-$25
- Certification:
- No ANSI/BHMA retrofit-kit certification found
- High-security latch lip strike
- Stamped steel
- Long screw installation
Two Post Strike Plate
Interesting concealed strike concept, but product-specific independent testing was not found.
- Price:
- $90-$120
- Certification:
- No public ANSI/BHMA retrofit-kit certification found
- Concealed two-post reinforcement
- Designed to anchor into framing
Notable mentions
Two Post Strike Plate
Interesting concealed strike concept, but product-specific independent testing was not found.
- Price:
- $90-$120
- Certification:
- No public ANSI/BHMA retrofit-kit certification found
- Concealed two-post reinforcement
- Designed to anchor into framing
A101-125-000
Listed because KAL/Arm-A-Dor was requested, but available evidence is too thin for ranking.
- Price:
- $25-$40 landed estimate
- Certification:
- No public certification found
- Replacement strike plate
Sources: [1]
The most common installation mistake
Using whichever screws came in the box, when those screws are shorter than three inches. Many manufacturers include shorter screws for convenience; the three-inch screws, not the plate shape, are the upgrade. When a package does not include three-inch screws, they should be purchased separately. Use #8 or #10 coarse-thread structural screws of three inches, available at any hardware store.
Audit your home in 5 minutes
Get a score, your top 3 priorities, and a map of the threats you are protected against.
What a reinforced strike does not address
A reinforced strike protects the lock-side frame. It does not protect the hinge side, the door edge, or glass beside the door. Higher-threat situations call for the full door reinforcement guide.
Need a pro to install this?
SecureDoor installs door reinforcement across the region. Take 60 seconds to message us.
Or call: (514) 928-8572
Audit your home in 5 minutes
Get a score, your top 3 priorities, and a map of the threats you are protected against.
Need a pro to install this?
SecureDoor installs door reinforcement across the region. Take 60 seconds to message us.
Or call: (514) 928-8572