to create a more polished look with your trim in a bedroom remodel if you were an intermediate metal fabricator turned handyman?
Asked by Orinder Patil 
8 months ago
Last Updated: May 4, 2024
So, a couple years back during my first bedroom remodel, I used a die grinder to do some work, not really knowing what I was doing. I’ve since become a bit of a pro at metal fabrication and became a handyman after buying our fixer-upper home. Now, the trim we want to use needs a longer striker plate, which I know they sell, but personally, I think they look pretty awful. What would your approach be in this situation?
If I were working for a client or myself, I would opt for the longer sticker plate. I tend to be a bit indecisive, so I’m always switching things up and tinkering with them. My house is in a perpetual state of construction because of this. What you’ve done doesn’t look bad, but you could tidy up your edges a bit more. That way, it wouldn’t be as noticeable. Use some 80 grit to smooth out the high spots, then move on to 120, 150, and finish with 220 for a polished look. Try to maintain the original squared edges on the trim as much as possible to avoid it standing out too much. As a last resort, you can use some wood bondo if you accidentally remove too much and need to reshape it.
I got the extended plates. I can’t find the link right now but they come in various lengths so see if you can find one that’s not too long
Make sure to align the trim properly.
It looks like the door casing was installed too close to the strike plate.
Adjust the trim to create a 1/4″ gap for a better fit.
Topher is correct, the trim should have a little more of a “reveal” where it meets the door jam.
Hey , I came across this issue while working on the closet door. The 1/4″ offset wasn’t sufficient, but it was an improvement. It also created a gap behind the striker plate, which I didn’t find appealing. So, I applied the same solution to the closet too.
The door trim is too thick, consider setting it back slightly to create a small reveal. Aim for consistency with the hinge side in the future.
Hey , thanks for the helpful tip!
There’s no reveal on the trim. That’s why you had to grind it down like a 6-year-old building his first birdhouse. Just kidding. The correct way is to have a 1/4 inch reveal on the jamb with the trim.
Hey , I realized 1/4″ wouldn’t cut it. I saw the issue on the closet door and made some adjustments. Still ran into the same problem.
Make sure the trim is positioned at least 1/4″ away from the jamb surface to prevent the striker from making contact with it, allowing the use of a standard strike plate.
Make sure to re-case it with the appropriate reveal for a better look.
Big flat stock or strike extenders are great options for a 5/16 reveal.
I bent the striker plate to make it fit snugly in the jam.