Latch Protectors

A latch protector, also called a door latch guard or latch cover, is a metal plate installed over the strike side of a commercial door to cover the gap between the door edge and the door frame. That gap is the single most exploited vulnerability in keyed door security. A deadbolt or latchbolt that is locked creates a false sense of security if the gap between door and frame is wide enough for a pry bar, knife, or shim to reach the latch mechanism. A latch protector covers that gap, forcing any attack further away from the latch and making it physically impossible to manipulate the bolt from outside the closed door. American Locksets stocks latch protectors from Don-Jo and Cal-Royal, with same-day shipping and free shipping on all orders over $300.

Door Latch Guards and Latch Protectors: What They Do and Why Commercial Doors Need Them

Commercial doors in retail, office, healthcare, and multi-family buildings take abuse that residential doors don't. The gap between a commercial door edge and frame accumulates over time as doors settle, hinges wear, and door closers fail to pull the door completely into the frame. Each fraction of an inch that gap widens is an additional fraction of mechanical advantage available to anyone trying to pry the door open. No lock upgrade changes this. The latch protector does.

By covering the exposed face of the latchbolt and the strike area with a surface-mounted steel plate, a latch protector removes the tool purchase point entirely. A crowbar cannot be inserted at the latch side because the plate presents a continuous steel surface with no gap behind it. Shimming and loiding attacks cannot reach the latchbolt face because the plate covers it. For outswinging commercial doors where the latch hardware is exposed to the exterior approach side, a latch protector converts a visually obvious vulnerability into a hardened surface.

The selection is determined by three variables: door swing direction (inswinging or outswinging), the type of lock hardware present (cylindrical, mortise, key-in-lever, or electric strike), and the length of coverage required.

Latch Protectors for Outswinging Commercial Doors

Outswinging doors are the most common commercial door configuration and the most common latch protector application because the latchbolt and strike are on the exposed exterior face of the door edge.

Don-Jo BLP Series: Standard Latch Protector for Outswinging Doors

The Don-Jo BLP-110-630 is a surface-mount latch protector for outswinging doors in 630 Satin Stainless Steel, 10 inches in length. The BLP series accommodates standard cylindrical and mortise lock installations without modification. This is the workhorse specification for outswinging commercial doors in offices, storage rooms, schools, and retail back-of-house entries.

Don-Jo CLP Series: Commercial Type Latch Protector

The Don-Jo CLP-106-630 and CLP-110-630 are commercial-format latch protectors, 2-1/8 inch wide, available in 6-inch and 10-inch lengths. The commercial type designation indicates the plate profile and mounting configuration are suited for heavier commercial door applications where the standard residential-grade latch guard isn't appropriate. These are the correct specification for hollow metal doors and heavy-traffic commercial entries.

Don-Jo BLP Series for Key-in-Lever Locks

The Don-Jo BLP-107-630 and BLP-210 series are sized for key-in-lever locks with escutcheons up to 3-3/4 inches, available in 7-inch and 10-inch lengths. When standard latch protectors don't clear the escutcheon plate on a key-in-lever lockset, these configurations provide the correct clearance without requiring the lock to be relocated.

Don-Jo ALP Series: Angle Type for Outswinging Doors

The Don-Jo ALP-206 and ALP-210 are angle-type latch protectors in 6-inch and 10-inch lengths, available in Silver Coated, Duro Coated, and Brass Coated finishes. The angle profile provides coverage that wraps around the door edge rather than sitting flush on the face, which is the correct selection when the door and frame geometry creates a deeper gap that a flat plate cannot cover adequately.

Latch Protectors for Inswinging Doors

Don-Jo ILP Series: The Interlock for Inswinging Doors

The Don-Jo ILP-206 and ILP-212 are specifically designed for inswinging doors, available in 6-inch and 12-inch lengths, in Brass Plated, Chrome Plated, Duro Coated, and Silver Coated finishes. Inswinging doors present a different attack geometry than outswinging doors. The Interlock design addresses the inswinging door's specific vulnerability where the frame-side gap is accessible from the outside even though the door swings away from the attacker.

Latch Protectors for Electric Strike Doors

Don-Jo ELP Series: For Use With Electric Strikes

The Don-Jo ELP-208-SL and ELP-208-DU are 3-1/2 inch x 8 inch latch protectors designed specifically for doors with electric strikes installed. Electric strike installations create different gap profiles than standard strike boxes, and a standard latch protector will not cover the electric strike opening correctly. The ELP series accounts for the electric strike opening geometry while still covering the gap between door and frame. The ELP-208P series adds a security pin configuration for applications requiring additional anti-spread protection.

Latch Guard Protectors with Security Frame Pin

Cal-Royal GJLPG2 and LPG2: Latch Guards with Anti-Spread Protection

The Cal-Royal GJLPG2 is a 3 inch x 11-1/2 inch latch guard protector in US32D Satin Stainless Steel that includes a security frame pin. The security frame pin inserts into the door frame and prevents the door and frame from being spread apart with pry tools, which is the attack mode that defeats latch guards without anti-spread protection. This model conforms with ANSI/BHMA A156.2 Series 4000 and is similar to Glynn Johnson LP1, making it a direct substitute for legacy specifications. For use with mortise or cylindrical locks on out-opening doors.

The Cal-Royal LPG2 and LG28 provide similar coverage at different dimensions for matching specific door and frame profiles.

Latch Protectors for Aluminum Entrance Doors

Don-Jo AL-211 and GLP Series: Aluminum Storefront Applications

The Don-Jo AL-211-SL and AL-211-DU are 3-1/2 inch x 12 inch latch guards designed for outswinging aluminum entrance doors, which have narrower stile profiles and different gap characteristics than hollow metal commercial doors. The Don-Jo GLP-307 specifically solves the pull handle interference problem common on aluminum storefront doors where the pull handle location prevents standard latch protector installation.

Browse the complete Builders Hardware catalog and all Don-Jo hardware at American Locksets. Call 877-471-4870 for confirmation on door swing, lock type compatibility, or finish matching before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: What is a latch protector? 

A latch protector is a metal plate installed over the door edge gap to cover the latchbolt and strike area, preventing forced entry by prying, shimming, or loiding attacks.

Q: What is the difference between a latch guard and a latch protector? 

The terms are interchangeable. Both describe the same type of security plate that covers the exposed latch or deadbolt gap on a commercial door edge.

Q: How do I know if I need a latch protector for an inswinging or outswinging door? 

The correct type depends on which direction the door opens. Outswinging doors use BLP, CLP, or ALP series plates. Inswinging doors require the ILP Interlock series.

Q: Do latch protectors work with electric strike doors? 

Standard latch protectors do not fit correctly over electric strike openings. Use the Don-Jo ELP series, which is designed specifically for electric strike door geometry.

Q: What is a security frame pin on a latch guard?

 A security frame pin inserts into the door frame and prevents the door and frame from being spread apart with a pry bar, defeating one of the most common attacks against latch guards.

Q: What length latch protector do I need? 

Length is determined by the height of the lock hardware and how much coverage above and below the latch is needed. Most commercial applications use 10-inch or 12-inch plates.

Q: Can latch protectors be used on aluminum storefront doors? 

Yes, but standard commercial latch protectors may not fit correctly. Use the Don-Jo AL-211 or GLP series, which are specifically designed for aluminum entrance door profiles.

Q: Are latch protectors compatible with mortise and cylindrical locks?

Most latch protectors work with both lock types. Some configurations, like the Cal-Royal GJLPG2, specifically state compatibility with mortise or cylindrical locks.