36" x 36" stainless steel kick plate

How to Choose the Best 36 x 36 Stainless Steel Kick Plate

Choosing between all the types of stainless steel plates available may be tricky. For buildings that have a bigger frame, the size required would be a 34" x 46" stainless steel kick plate, but this would not suit normal buildings, which require something else. 

In case your need is for 36-inch doors, then the 36 x 36 stainless steel kick plate will suit your needs in this aspect. The width of the kick plate will serve you in covering the width of your door without any worry of damage from footprints or carts. JustKickPlates has an array of stainless steel kick plates available in Canada.

What Size Kick Plate Do You Need for a 36-Inch Commercial Door?

Commercial doors exist in many different sizes, and kick plate size requirements will depend completely on how wide and tall the area you wish to protect is. Typically, interior doors in office structures, educational facilities, and even retail outlets have the same size of 36 inches wide, and for this reason, 36" x 36" kick plates are some of the most commonly requested ones.

The height is as important as the width; if the kick plate is not tall enough, it may not protect the bottom part of the door from wheelchair footrests, rolling luggage, and other items that could damage the door bottom, whereas a kick plate which is too high might get in the way of hardware devices and door closers.

Key Features to Look for in a Quality Kick Plate

When you want a good 36" x 36" stainless steel kick plate, there are a few things that the product must have:

  • Thickness of material: thick stainless steel is more resistant to damage by dents than light steel.
  • Types of finish: satin finish will mask fingerprints and stains, while mirror finishes will work for entrances requiring visibility.
  • Method of mounting: adhesive mounting works faster than screw mounting, while screw mounting can withstand heavy traffic.
  • Treatment of edges: rolled edges are safer than sharp edges.
  • Resistance to corrosion: stainless steel kick plates do not rust in damp environments.

Why Does Stainless Steel Make a Difference to Kick Plates Used Commercially?

Stainless steel can withstand corrosion, staining, and heat much more effectively than alternatives such as aluminum or plastic. This makes stainless steel kick plates ideal for entrances where there is exposure to salt, moisture, or high foot traffic as well. In addition, these plates wipe clean easily, leaving little room for maintenance by building management.

There is considerable variance in door sizes that are used commercially. Not all the doors require a square plate. Some doors, like loading docks and wide service doors, may be required to have a 28" x 46" stainless steel kick plate, while a regular stainless steel kick plate would do fine for single doors.

Mistakes to Avoid While Selecting Kick Plates

  • Not taking measurements: ordering kick plates based on assumed sizes and not actually measuring the door will create either gaps or overlap.
  • Selecting plastic over metal: plastic kick plates break down faster in heavy traffic compared to metal kick plates.
  • Not considering finish coordination: lack of finish coordination with the door hardware gives an uncoordinated look.
  • Not ordering mounting hardware: some plates come without the screws used for fixing them.
  • Not calculating bulk orders: buying kick plates one by one is more expensive than purchasing them in bulk.

Stainless Steel Kick Plate Installation and Maintenance Tips

The installation begins with ensuring that the door is clean and dry, because any dirt or grease underneath the back side of the adhesive will affect the lifespan of the plate. The plates are normally designed to be mounted flush to the bottom of the door and usually come with pre-drilled holes, making mounting with the provided screws or glue simple.

Maintenance of the kick plate is relatively minimal. Cleaning the plate with just a soft cloth dipped in soap and water is sufficient to keep the scuffs off. Avoid using steel wool or abrasive cleaning products, as they can cause dulling of the metal finish.

Buyer's Quick Guide:

  • Make sure you know the dimensions of the door before buying.
  • Ensure the finishing matches your current door hardware.
  • Select screws for heavy-duty doors; adhesive for light-duty doors.
  • Find out gauge thickness for longevity.
  • Consider bulk discounts if buying many doors at once.

Kick Plate Matching the Door Material and Foot Traffic

The material of the door affects the installation method more than many customers believe. Wood is easy to drill into and holds the plate firmly in place, whereas metal doors often need self-drilling screws or a somewhat different type of fastener that does not strip the frame. Glass doors are an exception, in that they usually have to be installed using either clamping or drilling instead of adhesive or regular screws.

Foot traffic should affect your choice at least as much as aesthetics. A low-foot-traffic door in a back office will do fine with lighter gauge and adhesive installation, but the high-traffic door of a loading area, a school corridor, or a store will benefit from heavier gauge and screws that do not loosen with time.

Comparing Kick Plates to Other Door Protection Options

Instead of a flat plate, there are also cases where door edge guards, corner protection units, or wraparound bumpers are used to avoid door damage, but in such cases, the covered area is limited, and they get worn out relatively quicker due to repeated impacts. The flat plate distributes the impact of a kick, a push by a cart, or even a tool falling into the door across a larger area, thus minimizing the possibility of dents and pinholes in the door.

Metal or vinyl guards painted in bright colours become easily noticeable in the process of frequent use of detergents; therefore, the durability of a flat plate in terms of maintaining the colour finish will be more effective for such frequently contacted areas as hospital, school, and retail doors.

What To Expect When Ordering a Custom or Standard Size

Standard sizes will be shipped sooner because they do not have to go through any machining process; they simply come out of the warehouse. The customer, when measuring a standard single door, can get the same standard size in no time at all, which is important for cases where the door has already been damaged.

Custom sizes will take longer because each plate has to be cut, deburred and finished separately by the manufacturer, which makes it more expensive than ordering the standard one. However, custom-size plates will be suitable for doors that are not standard, such as rounded, old doors and doors with an uncommon width.

Getting a Kick Plate to Fit Any Commercial Door

Choosing the perfect kick plate depends on precise dimensions, proper finish, and a mount that is able to withstand heavy foot traffic. From a property needing square kick plates for regular doors to a longer one for large door frames, having the kick plate match the door ensures protection and prevents any unnecessary costs down the road.

Just Kick Plates offers all types of dimensions and finishes that are available for shipping in bulk with no cost of shipping anywhere in Canada. 

Shop the whole selection of kick plates with us now and ensure your doors are well protected.

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FAQ

Will a 36 inches by 36 inches kick plate fit in every standard commercial door?

The answer will depend on different issues like the height of the door, the current placement of the door hardware, and floor clearance. Thus, taking measurements of the face of the door is the way to go here. In most cases, standard-size single doors fit this type of plate without adjustments.

Can stainless steel kick plates be cut to fit smaller doors?

In most cases, yes. The plates can be custom cut to fit a particular size of the door. However, if you want to save money, pre-cut standard sizes would be more efficient for common door sizes.

How long do stainless steel kick plates last?

If properly chosen, measured, and maintained, a kick plate can last more than a decade. The resistance of the material to corrosion and secure installation are the main aspects that prolong the service life.

Is adhesive mounting strong enough for doors that have heavy traffic commercially?

Adhesive mounting is good for medium traffic, but doors that have carts moving on them or people walking constantly through them are better mounted using screws in the mounting plates. Adhesive mounting combined with screw mounting ensures safety in these busy doors.

Is a different shape of kick plate required for larger doors?

Yes, bigger or double doors usually require a rectangular-shaped kick plate instead of the square shape. The measurement of both width and length is done separately in order to avoid any gaps.