Modern Stainless Steel Door Kick Plate Showcase

What Are the Benefits of Door Kick Plates for Your Home?

The worn-out and battered base of the door is one of the quickest ways of making an otherwise neat-looking door base look neglected. The boots, animal claws, prams, and delivery carts damage the bottom inches of the door before anyone knows. This is precisely why many homes in Canada have decided to fit their entry doors with stainless steel door kick plates.

Just Kick Plates stocks ready-to-ship sizes of the door kick plates, and that includes the popular 16" x 36" stainless steel kick plate, which means no waiting for weeks for a customized order. Bulk prices and free shipping throughout Canada come with every order.

Why Are Stainless Steel Door Kick Plates Important for Daily Doors?

Doors receive much more damage compared to other objects within the house. Each and every hit, kick, or roller impact occurs on the same piece of the door, which is close to the floor, but painted wood or veneer cannot withstand that kind of stress. The metal kick plate for the door works as a buffer, protecting the door panels from damage due to constant hits and impacts.

The winter season only complicates things. The salt, dirt, and wet shoes cause a lot of wear to the bottom part of the doors, which is one of the reasons why the stainless steel kick plate in Canada lasts much longer than a regular bare wood door or an MDF one.

Apart from its functional qualities, the design element also plays a major role. Due to the fact that the stainless steel kick plate for a door is usually made in a brushed or polished finish that matches the majority of door hardware, the entry looks more unified and aesthetically pleasing.

What Are the Main Advantages of Attaching a Kick Plate to Your Door?

Attaching a kick plate is among the easiest modifications that you can make. You could easily take this into account while measuring a slab door. In a standard 36-inch door, for instance, there would be a need for a 24" x 34" stainless steel kick plate, which would leave one-inch reveals on either side.

Here's what a well-fitted kick plate does for a home:

  • Prevents any scuffs, dents, or boot marks from daily wear
  • Does not rust easily and is moisture-resistant
  • Needs only a wet cloth to keep its shine intact
  • Fits perfectly with existing door hardware
  • Increases resale value slightly
  • Can be installed in less than 20 minutes

How Do You Determine the Right Kick Plate Dimensions and Finish?

The thickness of the material is just as important as the dimensions. A heavy-duty kick plate constructed of 16-gauge stainless steel will hold up well to commercial-grade traffic, like busy mud rooms, rental properties, or garage entry doors, whereas a less heavy-duty 18-gauge kick plate will do well for general residential use.

Oversized doorways like double doors or patio slabs require larger plates. For example, a 28"x42" stainless steel kick plate will cover an oversized door completely, without having to put two kick plates side by side.

A few things to consider when placing your order:

  • Doorway measurement and subtracting 2 inches
  • Matching the finish (satin or polished) of existing hardware
  • Selecting 16 gauge for heavy-duty use or 18 gauge for regular use
  • Deciding whether to have adhesive mounting or screw holes pre-drilled
  • Square or rounded corners depending on door style

Do You Need a Professional to Install Your Kick Plate?

Installing a kick plate yourself should not take you more than 30 minutes. Adhesive-backed plates just require a clean and dry area and pressing them firmly into place, while pre-drilled ones will need a drill and a few screws.

It is when there are certain complications that a pro becomes necessary, such as installing a fire door kick plate that has to conform to certain codes. In most cases, for example, on a residential door, a simple tape measure and a level are all that is needed.

The Long-Term Value Added by a Kick Plate

While individual kick plates are inexpensive in comparison to the refinishing or replacement of a scratched door, they are among the most useful enhancements that a homeowner can do. Touching up a scratched door periodically becomes quite expensive, whereas the use of a plate would last for a number of repaintings without requiring any maintenance at all.

Another element worth taking into account is the resell factor. The smaller elements such as the condition of the door hardware and the lack of scuffs will definitely draw attention during the inspection process, even though the buyer might not be able to give reasons for the improved condition of his entryway.

What Doors Around Your House Are Most Likely to Require a Kick Plate?

Since front doors have the highest amount of activity on a daily basis, they would be the first place that a kick plate would be installed. The doors leading into the garage are probably a very close second since these kinds of doors get kicked when people walk through the door in their boots, or garden supplies, or bicycle pedals.

Interior doors should not be ignored in terms of a kick plate installation either. Doorways in the basement, laundry room, and mud room are constantly being scratched by wheels from shopping carts, by dog claws, and by foot traffic.

What Is the Optimal Method for Maintaining the Appearance of a Kick Plate?

Regular maintenance is pleasantly easy. Just a clean cloth along with a little soap and water will do wonders in wiping away most dirt and grime, while also making sure that you wipe along the line of brushed grain so as not to leave any obvious streaks.

Any accumulated scuff marks or smudges can easily be removed using stainless steel cleaner applied once in a while. Steel wool and abrasives should be avoided as they could scratch the surface and dull its shine.

Protect Your Doors from Damage Before It Even Happens

A damaged and dented stainless steel door kick plate may be a minor problem to deal with, but one that can easily be avoided when making the purchase and can cause problems if it needs to be replaced.

The JustKickPlates site has everything a customer would need regarding sizes and finishes that can protect their door for many more years without having to repaint the scuffed parts or replace the door every couple of years.

Here is what you need to know before buying your kick plate:

  • Select a size where the space left around the sides of the door is about one inch.
  • Pick between 16-gauge stainless steel for high-traffic areas or 18-gauge steel if there isn't too much traffic.
  • Choosing the same finish as the door hardware will ensure a clean look.
  • Choose a supplier who has Canadian stock available.

Don't let scuff marks happen! Check out all the sizes and finishes of kick plates available at Just Kick Plates.

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FAQ

Is it possible to install a kick plate to a door where there is an already installed closer or automatic operator?

Yes, since the kick plate is installed under the closer's operation range, you will not have any problems with that. However, it will still be reasonable to measure the clearance space underneath the closer arm before purchasing a plate.

Does the installation of a kick plate damage the surface of an existing door?

No, since the adhesive mounting uses soft foam tapes that do not damage the paint or stain surface, while the pre-drilled plates require only small screws, leaving minor scratches. In case you need to remove a plate, all holes can be painted easily.

How long does the stainless steel kick plate usually work for?

With an average residential load, a good quality plate will serve 15-20 years, being rustproof and not warping during this period. However, houses located in coastal areas or with high salt concentration might experience a little earlier wearing of the surface coating.

Can a kick plate be cut to fit an oddly sized or special order door?

Almost all stainless steel kick plates can be reduced in size by trimming with a shear or a grinding tool equipped with a cutting blade. It is recommended to cut the plate from the rear so that the front edge remains smooth and sharp.

Would mounting a kick plate void the fire rating of a door or its manufacturer's warranty?

Normally, a surface-mounted kick plate would not void the fire rating provided by the door as long as the kick plate remains within allowable dimensions, normally no higher than 16 inches. The time spent checking the door manufacturer's warranty is well worth five minutes.