Scar Plates

Refresh tired doors and cover old lock cut-outs with our range of scar plates, designed to give your doors a clean, professional finish. Whether you are upgrading front door locks, replacing outdated hardware on internal doors, or standardising door hardware across a commercial building, scar plates are the simple, cost-effective way to hide damage and achieve a modern, cohesive look. Buy scar plates online with confidence from John Barnes Group and complete your architectural door hardware package for residential and commercial projects across Brisbane, Queensland, New South Wales and Australia-wide.

What Are Scar Plates & Why They Matter

Scar plates (also known as cover plates or renovation plates) are flat plates that sit behind or around your door hardware to conceal old fixing holes, marks and oversized preparations. Any time a lock, handle or deadbolt is changed, the new hardware may not line up perfectly with the existing cut-outs in the door. Without a scar plate, you are left with visible damage, filled holes or mismatched paintwork.

A quality scar plate solves this instantly by:

• Covering previous lock or handle footprints for a clean, finished appearance
• Reducing the need for patching, repainting or replacing the entire door
• Helping retrofit modern hardware onto older doors
• Maintaining a neat and professional look in high-traffic areas

From heritage homes through to contemporary office fitouts, scar plates are the quiet achiever of modern architectural door hardware, keeping everything looking aligned, intentional and premium.

Scar Plates for Residential & Commercial Doors

Our scar plate range is suitable for both residential and commercial applications, making it easy to buy scar plates online for a single front door or a multi-level project. In homes across Brisbane and wider Queensland, scar plates are commonly used when replacing older knobsets with modern lever handles, upgrading to electronic locks, or standardising finishes to matte black, stainless steel or brass.

In commercial environments across New South Wales and Australia-wide, scar plates are widely used in:

• Office refurbishments where existing door preps vary door-to-door
• Schools, universities and healthcare facilities undergoing hardware upgrades
• Hotels and multi-residential buildings replacing mechanical locks with access-control hardware
• Industrial and warehouse doors being updated to more robust locksets

By selecting the right scar plate, you can often reuse existing doors and frames while still achieving a fresh, consistent look across the entire building.

Finishes to Match Modern Architectural Door Hardware

Appearance matters. Scar plates sit in a highly visible position on the door, so the finish needs to complement your locks and levers. Our range is curated to work seamlessly with popular hardware from trusted brands like Barben, Dormakaba, Lockwood and Zanda, making it easier to coordinate your project.

Typical finishes include:

• Matte black – a favourite for contemporary homes and commercial fitouts seeking a bold, minimalist look
• Stainless steel and satin stainless – ideal for high-use doors, coastal environments and modern, clean-lined interiors
• Satin chrome – a timeless, low-sheen finish that pairs well with most levers and deadbolts
• Polished or brushed brass – perfect for heritage renovations or on-trend warm, luxe interiors

Whether you are designing a premium entry door, a run of internal corridor doors or robust external service doors, you can match your scar plates to surrounding hardware so the entire suite feels intentional and architectural.

Choosing the Right Scar Plate for Your Door

1. Consider Your Door Type

Different door constructions can influence which scar plate will work best. Many plates are suitable for standard timber or solid-core doors, while others are designed for metal or aluminium doors used in commercial frames. Always consider the door thickness and any special requirements noted on your hardware schedule.

2. Internal vs External Doors

Scar plates for internal doors often focus on aesthetics and covering old preparations when you swap passage or privacy sets. For external doors, durability and corrosion resistance become more important. Stainless steel or high-quality plated finishes are ideal for front doors, balcony doors and external service doors, particularly in coastal Queensland and New South Wales environments.

3. Size & Coverage

The primary job of a scar plate is to hide any visible scars on the door face. Measure the existing holes, mortice preparations or paint damage to ensure the plate will fully cover the affected area. Many plates are designed around common footprints used by brands like Lockwood and Dormakaba, but dimensions can vary, so it is worth checking the product specs carefully when you buy scar plates online.

4. Hardware Compatibility

Some scar plates are shaped for specific locksets, levers or escutcheons, and others are more universal rectangular or round designs. When you are pairing scar plates with hardware from Barben, Zanda or other architectural ranges, look for matching or complementary backplate shapes to create a clean, layered look rather than a mismatch of sizes.

5. Project Aesthetic & Design Intent

On premium residential or commercial projects, scar plates are often treated as a deliberate design feature rather than purely a cover-up. Matching finishes across your levers, deadbolts, hinges and accessory items creates a cohesive suite that elevates the whole space. Consider whether you want the scar plate to blend quietly into the door finish, or stand out as part of your statement hardware.

Retrofit-Friendly & Installer Approved

Scar plates are designed with retrofit and replacement work in mind. For installers, locksmiths and builders in Brisbane and Australia-wide, they offer a practical way to solve misaligned preps and inconsistent door conditions without resorting to full door replacement.

General installation considerations include:

• Confirming screw positions and fixing method for your chosen lockset or lever
• Ensuring the plate sits flat against the door with no sharp edges or burrs
• Checking latch or bolt operation after fitting the plate and hardware
• Following any manufacturer recommendations where fire-rated or smoke control doors are involved

For complex or compliance-critical doors, we recommend engaging a qualified installer or locksmith, particularly on commercial sites across Queensland and New South Wales where hardware may form part of a certified door assembly.

Ideal for Renovations, Upgrades & Standardisation

Scar plates are especially valuable when you are working with existing building stock. Rather than tearing out and replacing dozens or hundreds of doors, you can upgrade to modern, secure hardware and use scar plates to neatly cover inconsistencies. This approach is popular with:

• Facility managers seeking to standardise hardware across multiple tenancies
• Body corporates upgrading security in apartment or townhouse complexes
• Builders and renovators refreshing older homes while retaining original doors
• Architects designing staged refurbishment projects with mixed existing conditions

With the right combination of Lockwood, Dormakaba, Barben or Zanda hardware and well-chosen scar plates, you can transform the look and functionality of a building while keeping disruption and waste to a minimum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a scar plate and what does it do?

A scar plate is a flat plate that sits behind or around your door hardware to cover old lock cut-outs, fixing holes and surface damage. It hides the “scar” left behind when previous locks or handles are removed, giving the door a clean, professional finish. This is particularly useful when retrofitting new hardware onto existing doors in homes and commercial buildings.

Can scar plates be used on both internal and external doors?

Yes. Many scar plates are suitable for both internal and external doors, provided the finish and material are appropriate for the environment. For front doors and external access doors, look for stainless steel or durable plated finishes that stand up to weather and frequent use. For internal doors, you can focus more on matching the aesthetic of your levers and architectural door hardware.

Are scar plates compatible with Lockwood, Dormakaba, Barben and Zanda hardware?

Most scar plates are designed around common lock and lever footprints used by leading brands such as Lockwood, Dormakaba, Barben and Zanda. However, dimensions and hole patterns can vary between models. Always check the product details and drawings to make sure the scar plate suits your chosen lockset or handle set before you buy scar plates online.

Will using a scar plate affect fire-rated or solid-core doors?

In many cases scar plates can be used on fire-rated or solid-core doors, but it is important not to assume. Hardware on fire-rated assemblies must follow the project’s certification requirements and manufacturer guidelines. If you are working on doors in stairwells, corridors or other critical areas, consult the hardware schedule or a qualified specialist before making changes.

How do I choose the right size scar plate?

Start by measuring the existing lock or handle footprint, including any visible damage or filled areas. Choose a scar plate that not only covers that zone but allows for correct positioning of the new hardware. Product descriptions normally include overall plate dimensions and fixing centres, so you can compare these to your door. When in doubt, it is often safer to choose a slightly larger plate to ensure full coverage.

Can I install scar plates myself?

Confident DIYers can often install scar plates on standard internal doors, especially when swapping like-for-like hardware. For external doors, security locks, or commercial projects in Brisbane, Queensland and New South Wales, many customers prefer to use a licensed locksmith or installer to ensure the hardware operates smoothly and meets any relevant site requirements.

Do scar plates come in different finishes?

Yes. Scar plates are available in a variety of finishes to match modern and contemporary door hardware, including matte black, stainless steel, satin chrome, brass and other popular tones. Selecting a matching or complementary finish to your levers, deadbolts and accessories creates a cohesive, architectural look throughout the building.

Can I buy scar plates online and ship Australia-wide?

Yes, you can buy scar plates online through John Barnes Group and have them delivered not only to Brisbane and Queensland, but also to New South Wales and other regions Australia-wide. This makes it easy to support multi-site projects and national portfolios with consistent, reliable hardware solutions.

Are scar plates only for old or damaged doors?

Not at all. While they are excellent for covering damage, scar plates are also used on new doors as a deliberate design feature. Architects and designers often specify coordinated backplates and scar plates as part of a premium architectural door hardware suite, helping to create a stronger visual presence for entry doors and key circulation areas.

Why Choose John Barnes Group?

John Barnes Group brings decades of door hardware experience to every project, from single residential renovations in Brisbane to large commercial developments across Queensland, New South Wales and Australia-wide. Our carefully selected range of scar plates is designed to work seamlessly with trusted brands like Barben, Dormakaba, Lockwood and Zanda, giving you confidence in both fit and finish. With knowledgeable support, reliable supply and online ordering, we make it easy to source the right scar plates and architectural hardware to complete your doors properly the first time.