Locking Plates

Upgrade the security and performance of your doors with our range of locking plates, designed for both residential and commercial applications across Brisbane, Queensland, New South Wales and Australia-wide. Whether you are securing a busy commercial entry or finishing a modern front door at home, our door locking plates provide a clean, durable interface between the lock and the frame, helping to improve alignment, reduce wear and enhance overall security. Buy locking plates online from John Barnes Group and match them seamlessly with your existing architectural door hardware, including premium brands such as Barben, Dormakaba, Lockwood and Zanda.

What Is a Locking Plate and Why It Matters

A locking plate (often referred to as a strike plate or keeper) is the metal plate fitted to the door frame where the latch or bolt engages. It might look like a small detail, but it plays a big role in how smoothly your lock operates and how secure your door feels. A correctly chosen and installed locking plate helps:

• Align the latch or bolt so your door closes cleanly and consistently.
• Spread impact forces across the frame to help resist forced entry.
• Protect the frame edge from wear, splitting and damage over time.
• Extend the life of your locks and latches, particularly on high-use doors.

From external front doors to internal connecting doors, the right plate ensures your door hardware works as a complete system. When you buy locking plates online through John Barnes Group, you’re selecting components that are designed to integrate with quality locks and latches from trusted brands like Lockwood and Dormakaba.

Locking Plates for Front, Internal and External Doors

Every door has a job to do, and the locking plates behind them should be matched to that application. Our range caters for:

Front and external doors
For front doors and other external entry points, you’ll typically pair your locking plate with a deadbolt, mortice lock or robust entrance set. Heavier-duty plates and keepers help reinforce the latch or bolt area, supporting overall security on houses, townhouses and commercial tenancies throughout Brisbane, Queensland and New South Wales.

Internal and corridor doors
Internal doors, such as bedroom doors, corridor doors or office doors, often use lighter latches but still benefit from quality locking plates. Good alignment and a neat finish are key for a professional, contemporary look in homes, apartments and commercial fitouts. Matching internal locking plates to your chosen architectural door hardware keeps the whole project cohesive.

Commercial and industrial openings
In commercial environments – from retail stores and offices to education and healthcare – doors are opened and closed hundreds of times a day. Specifying robust locking plates with compatible commercial-grade locks from brands like Dormakaba and Lockwood can make a real difference to reliability and long-term performance.

Finishes and Styles to Match Modern Architectural Door Hardware

Locking plates are small, but they’re still visible. On a premium modern or contemporary project, mismatched hardware stands out for all the wrong reasons. That’s why our locking plates are available in finishes that coordinate with popular architectural door hardware from Barben, Zanda, Lockwood and Dormakaba.

Common finishes include:

• Matte black for bold, modern and industrial-inspired interiors.
• Stainless steel for durability and a clean, minimalist look, ideal for coastal or high-traffic environments.
• Brass and brass tones for warm, timeless styling that pairs beautifully with classic and heritage doors.
• Satin chrome and similar neutral finishes that sit comfortably in both residential and commercial spaces.

By selecting the right finish, your locking plates blend into the overall hardware package – from levers and pull handles to hinges and door closers – creating a consistent, premium look across your project.

Residential and Commercial Use Cases

Our locking plates are suitable for a wide range of applications across Australia, from single homes to large-scale commercial developments.

Residential projects
Homeowners, builders and renovators in Brisbane and throughout Queensland and New South Wales turn to John Barnes Group for locking plates that complement their front door hardware, internal passage sets and laundry or back doors. Whether you’re refreshing one entrance or specifying hardware for an entire new build, you can buy locking plates online to match your preferred lock brands and finishes.

Commercial and multi-residential projects
For offices, retail tenancies, mixed-use developments and multi-residential buildings, consistency and durability are critical. A well-specified combination of commercial locks, closers and locking plates helps reduce maintenance calls, especially on high-traffic doors. Our range is suitable for doors in lobbies, car park entries, plant rooms, stairwells and amenities, alongside internal office doors and common-area doors.

Education, health and specialty environments
In environments such as schools, universities, hospitals and aged care facilities, doors are subject to frequent use and specific performance requirements. Matching the correct locking plate to the door construction and lock body can support smoother operation and better long-term reliability. Speak with your locksmith, builder or hardware specifier for project-specific advice.

How to Choose the Right Locking Plate

Selecting the right locking plate for your door is straightforward when you consider a few key points:

1. Lock type
Check whether you’re pairing the plate with a latch, deadbolt, mortice lock or multipoint lock. Different locks are designed to work with particular plate profiles and cut-outs. Using compatible hardware from brands such as Lockwood, Dormakaba, Barben or Zanda helps ensure a precise fit.

2. Door and frame construction
Timber, steel and aluminium frames may require different fixing methods and plate designs. The plate should sit flush with the frame and line up neatly with the latch or bolt. Your installer or locksmith can confirm the best option for your specific door and frame setup.

3. Application and security level
Front and external doors, especially on ground level, typically justify more robust hardware than low-use internal doors. Consider the location, traffic levels and security expectations when selecting the plate and lock combination.

4. Finish and aesthetics
For modern and contemporary projects, choose finishes that match or complement the rest of your architectural door hardware – for example, matte black plates with matte black levers or stainless-steel plates in higher-humidity or coastal areas.

Installation and Maintenance – General Guidance

Locking plates should be installed in line with the lock manufacturer’s recommendations and good trade practice. For best results:

• Use a qualified locksmith or experienced carpenter, especially for external doors or commercial openings.
• Ensure the plate is aligned so the latch or bolt engages smoothly without dragging or binding.
• Use appropriate fixings and check that screws are tightened securely into sound framing material.
• Periodically inspect plates, screws and surrounding timber or frame sections for signs of wear or damage, especially on high-traffic doors.

Correctly installed and maintained locking plates contribute to the overall performance of your door set and can help reduce future adjustment and maintenance work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a locking plate and a strike plate?

The terms “locking plate” and “strike plate” are often used interchangeably. Both describe the metal plate on the frame that the latch or bolt engages with. In some cases, “locking plate” may refer to a slightly more robust or specialised version designed to work with specific locks, but the role is essentially the same – to receive and support the lock’s latch or bolt.

Are these locking plates suitable for front doors and external entries?

Yes. Many locking plates in our range are suitable for front doors, external side doors and other entry points when paired with appropriate locks and latches. For external doors, it is important to select plates designed for that lock type and duty, and to ensure they are installed correctly on a solid frame. For higher-security or commercial applications, we recommend working with a locksmith or hardware specifier to confirm the best combination.

Can I use these locking plates with Lockwood or Dormakaba locks?

Our locking plates are designed to work with common lock and latch formats, including many Lockwood and Dormakaba products used throughout Australia. When you buy locking plates online, check the product details and lock type, or reference your existing lock model. If you’re unsure, your locksmith, builder or the John Barnes Group team can help you match the correct plate to your chosen lock.

Are locking plates suitable for fire doors?

Some locking plates are suitable for use on fire doors when paired with compatible fire-rated locks and installed in accordance with the relevant door set and hardware documentation. Because fire doors are part of a tested system, it’s important to follow the door manufacturer’s and fire engineer’s requirements. Always consult the door schedule, hardware specification or a qualified professional before changing any components on a fire door.

Can I install a locking plate myself, or do I need a locksmith?

Simple replacements on internal doors may be within the skill level of an experienced DIYer with the right tools. However, for front doors, external doors, commercial openings or fire doors, we recommend using a qualified locksmith or carpenter. Professional installation helps ensure correct alignment, secure fixing and compliance with any relevant building or fire safety requirements.

Which finish should I choose – matte black, stainless steel or brass?

The best finish depends on both style and environment. Matte black works well in modern and contemporary interiors and pairs nicely with black levers and pull handles from brands like Barben and Zanda. Stainless steel is a popular choice for commercial projects and coastal locations due to its durability and clean aesthetic. Brass and warm metallic tones are ideal for classic, heritage or premium residential projects. For a cohesive look, match your locking plates to your existing architectural door hardware.

Do you supply locking plates outside Brisbane?

Yes. While John Barnes Group has strong roots in Brisbane and Queensland, we supply locking plates and architectural door hardware to projects throughout New South Wales and Australia-wide. You can buy locking plates online and have them delivered to site, whether you’re working on a local renovation, a regional project or an interstate commercial build.

Are these locking plates suitable for commercial and high-traffic doors?

Many locking plates in our range are well-suited to commercial, educational, healthcare and other high-traffic environments when paired with appropriate commercial-grade locks and door hardware. For doors subject to heavy use or higher security expectations, we recommend consulting your specifier or locksmith to confirm duty ratings and compatibility with your chosen hardware set.

How do I know if a locking plate will suit a left- or right-handed door?

Some locking plates are non-handed and can be used on either left- or right-handed doors, while others are specifically handed to suit the direction of door swing and lock configuration. Check the product details for handing information. If you are unsure which handing you need, note which side the hinges are on when standing on the “push” side of the door and seek advice from your hardware supplier or installer.

Why Choose John Barnes Group?

John Barnes Group is a trusted supplier of architectural door hardware to the building, construction and locksmith industries across Brisbane, Queensland, New South Wales and Australia-wide. Our locking plates are selected to work seamlessly with leading brands such as Barben, Dormakaba, Lockwood and Zanda, giving you confidence that each component supports the performance of the whole door set. With knowledgeable staff, reliable supply and a broad online range, we make it easy to specify and buy locking plates online for projects of all sizes.