Stainless Steel Door Protection Collage

Complete Guide to Commercial Stainless Steel Kick Plates in Canada

Kick plates are metal sheets attached to the bottom of a door, designed to prevent scuffing, scratching, and regular wear that results from contact with feet, wheelbarrows, and other rolling objects, and commercial stainless steel kick plates continue to represent one of the easiest ways to upgrade any commercial property. 

Our team at Just Kick Plates maintains an ample stock of plates that ship quickly from our warehouse, meaning that companies in Canada will not have to wait several weeks just to receive the hardware that is supposed to be readily available. We offer discounts for ordering in bulk, making installation easier than ever. This guide explains what kick plates do, how to choose them, and where to buy them with confidence.

Everyday Wear That Kick Plates Prevent

The bottom part of doors in commercial spaces is subjected to a lot of wear and tear from carts, mop buckets, foot traffic, or kicking open doors. This is precisely why the door protection panel has been installed in that area in the first place. Otherwise, the lower section of the doors made of wood or metal will start to chip, scratch, and require refinishing or even replacement long before they should have.

Unlike other materials such as paint or laminate, stainless steel can endure use without corroding or chipping, remaining protected for years on end. Moreover, such material can be easily wiped clean, as often happens in commercial properties, where doors can be used by several people per minute.

Areas where kick plates are most helpful:

  • Retail shops and shopping centres with high cart and foot traffic.
  • Hospitals and clinics with highly resistant to cleaning materials surfaces.
  • Educational institutions with frequent door openings.
  • Office buildings, foyers, and stairwells.
  • Warehouses and loading areas with equipment touching doors.

Difference Between Commercial Stainless Steel Kick Plates and Standard Door Hardware

Commercial door hardware does not all perform the same function. While hinges, closers, and knobs serve to help operate the door, the kick plate serves only to protect the door surface from abuse. This is important when facility managers decide whether or not they are repairing or preventing potential damage, as the price difference between replacing a kicked-in door and installing kick plate can be considerable.

It should also be noted that the stainless steel kick plate falls into a larger group of stainless steel door accessories such as push plates, pulls, and hinges since it harmonizes with other finishes used on a particular building and functions well in both indoor and outdoor environments.

How to Pick the Right Kick Plate in Canada to Protect the Doors of Your Company?

This choice is not as difficult as it may seem at the beginning. The door width, the method of mounting, as well as the level of traffic will influence the decision and will guarantee no need for another shipment later due to incorrect measurements.

The thicker material is better to choose than it seems to many customers. Even the thinner plate may look good initially; however, after some months of use, it can get dented even if installed in a narrow corridor due to the level of daily traffic.

The main characteristics to be checked before ordering the product:

  • The door width and whether there will be a need to trim the plate;
  • The thickness of the material, which is better in case of busier doors;
  • The finish type, for example, satin or polished stainless steel;
  • The way of mounting, screw or adhesive mounting;
  • The height of the plate, usually ranging from 6 to 16 inches;

After finding out the necessary characteristics, you can start browsing the selection in the shop all section of our website.

Kick Plate Installation and Maintenance

Kick plate installation is usually a relatively simple procedure performed by a facility crew or outside contractor using only a few tools, including a drill, tape measure, and screw mount provided with most kick plates. Installation takes less than fifteen minutes after placing and levelling the kick plate in place.

One should distinguish between the kick plate and the door bottom guard since these terms may be confusing and are used interchangeably. The kick plate is used for covering the door, while the bottom guard is installed below the door and serves as a barrier between the door and the floor.

Why Should You Purchase from a Reputable Kick Plate Supplier in Canada?

There is a definite benefit to purchasing items locally. Ordering from a kick plate manufacturer in Canada usually means quicker delivery, no border shipping complications, and prices in Canadian dollars, not foreign currency subject to fluctuation.

Then there's the question of consistency: if a supplier offers a variety of sizes and finishes as a stainless steel kick plate in Canada, it becomes easier to purchase replacement hardware in the future without fear of products being out of stock and inconsistent finishes.

Indicators that your kick plate needs replacement:

  • Indentations visible across the entire surface area that do not catch the light evenly.
  • Loosening of screws and separation from the door.
  • The appearance of rusting, which is often an indicator of poor-quality metal beneath the finish.
  • Scratches so deep that they have removed the finish entirely and revealed the metal underneath.
  • Inconsistent finishes compared to other new hardware on your door.

Understanding Stainless Steel Grades for Kick Plates

All stainless steel finishes offer the same durability after being installed in a high-traffic door. Grade 304 is by far the most commonly used finish for indoor projects because of its scratch and stain-resistant properties that come with an affordable cost. This material can stand up to cleaning products and wear without compromising its shiny appearance.

The 316 finish is recommended for buildings located in coastal regions or where strong cleaning agents are often used, because it has additional corrosion-resistant qualities from the addition of molybdenum. The satin finish is less likely to show fingerprints and minor scratches when compared to mirror polish, making it the better choice for high hand-contact entry points.

Budgeting for Multi-Door Installations

It is easy enough to equip a single door; however, there will be occasions when property managers and contractors need to secure all doors at once within a facility. Preparing for this type of job requires measuring the size of each door beforehand and sorting them out according to their sizes in order to facilitate quick delivery and installation.

Ordering materials in bulk lowers the cost per unit as opposed to buying them separately. In most cases, facility managers who base renovation or construction projects on bulk buying benefit from reduced costs for the materials themselves as well as for shipping purposes.

Finding the Right Protection Begins with Finding the Right Provider

A rusty, bent door is a little problem that is easy to avoid and difficult to overlook. Just Kick Plates stocks a large selection of sizes and colors and delivers them across Canada, so facility management professionals and contractors do not find themselves waiting for their orders to be filled from inventory. Volume pricing is offered as the order quantity increases, so it becomes simpler to equip the doors in a whole facility at once.

Ready to protect your doors from everyday damage? Shop our current selection, explore our latest blogs, and contact us today to find the right kick plate for your needs.

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FAQ

Which gauge of stainless steel is ideal for commercial doors used heavily by the public?

Heavier gauges such as 16 and 18 resist damage from cart wheels and regular wear much better than thinner gauges, including 22 gauges. The latter is perfectly adequate for interior doors in low-traffic areas like private offices or storerooms.

Is it possible to reduce the plate to size for a door not fitting standard sizes?

In most cases, stainless plates can be trimmed to fit non-standard width doors. It's preferable to estimate the size accurately and order a larger than needed plate since it's harder to increase its size rather than trim down.

Are stainless plates durable enough for use on exterior doors?

The 304 grade stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and rusting; thus, it's appropriate for exterior doors in case of exposure to moisture and harsh weather conditions. Stainless screws will prevent rust spots on the mounting area in the future.

How often does replacement become necessary for these plates?

As a result of its strength and resistance to corrosion, a stainless steel plate will last for more than 10 years before it becomes necessary to replace it. All that is required is regular examination to ensure that there is no damage to the plate.

Does installation require a professional’s intervention, or can this be done by the facility staff?

The installation procedure itself is quite simple and does not involve anything other than placing and fixing the plate in place; therefore, facility staff should be able to do this using a drill and the screws provided.