What is a Door Kick Plate? Buyer's Guide and Installation Tips

A door kick plate is a flat piece of metal installed at the bottom of the door, protecting it from any kind of damage, such as scrapes, scuffs, and scratches due to footsteps and carts moving past it. All businesses and homeowners in Canada depend on a front door kick plate, which helps to maintain a professional look and increase the durability of the door. Have you ever thought about the reason behind all offices, clinics, and apartments having this little piece of metal close to the floor? Here is an explanation of the purpose of this item, how to pick it, and how to install it. 

At Just Kick Plates, we offer a wide variety of ready-made plates in stock for immediate shipping. However, before delving into the specifics, it is necessary to remember that not all of them are created equal. The difference in size, thickness, and coating affects their efficiency in the long run. In terms of popularity, one of the most demanded sizes is the 6" x 34" stainless steel kick plate.

What Exactly Is a Kick Plate Going to Defend Against?

Doors get damaged in many ways that are not very apparent to most people until the damage has already been done. It ranges from delivery carts to boots, strollers, and sometimes even an accidental kick that damages the bottom of the door.

Kick plates serve as the barrier between all those things that are going to damage the door surface and the door itself. Rather than damaging the wood, the fiberglass, or even the metal paint, the plate gets scuffed, and then it is just a matter of cleaning it or replacing it with something that is much more affordable than a whole new door.

Kick plates can help protect doors by:

• Protecting them against moisture and dirt buildup at the bottom of the door.
• Decreasing the impact of wheeled equipment such as carts, dollies, and wheelchairs.
• Adding structural support in the area that is the weakest part of the door.
• Improving the entrance aesthetics.

For companies with high-traffic doors, the protection plate can be quite useful.

Why Opt for Stainless Steel Instead of Other Materials?

There are several materials used to make kick plates, such as aluminum, brass, and plastic; however, stainless steel remains the most common material used for making kick plates due to its unique qualities. Durability is particularly important when it comes to installing a stainless steel kick plate in Canada, since the climate in the country is characterized by high temperatures in the summertime and heavy snowfall in the wintertime, not forgetting the use of salt during the winter period to melt snow. 

Lastly, another factor that makes stainless steel kick plates preferable is their aesthetics. The material has an appealing brushed or polished finish that complements virtually any style of construction. Besides, the material is easy to maintain.

How Do You Choose the Proper Size and Thickness?

Size selection can be one of the biggest problems for beginners. Kick plates are selected according to their height and width, and the size selection varies based on the dimensions of the door and coverage requirements.

For standard residential entry doors, 8" x 34" stainless steel kick plates will provide proper mid-height coverage without appearing oversized on the door. In case commercial installation requires a slightly narrower kick plate will be suitable for narrow panels or narrow frames.

Thickness is another important factor that affects the durability of the product. Lighter thin gauge kick plates are easy to install, but they may get dented when hit heavily. Heavy duty thicker gauge kick plates are preferable in high-traffic commercial areas. You should measure the door properly before making the purchase.

What Should You Know Before Buying for a Business?

The plates required for commercial purposes have slight differences from those bought by homeowners because the plates will have to endure heavy and regular usage.

Facility managers, contractors, and construction teams may have to buy the plates in large quantities, and therefore consistency in terms of size and finish becomes crucial when purchasing more than one door. The commercial stainless steel kick plates are constructed using thick gauges to withstand the pressure from equipment, foot traffic, and cleaning.

It becomes important to consider maintenance needs before buying the plates for your business. Having some extra plates purchased at one time can be helpful if you need replacements in the future.

How Do You Install a Kick Plate Correctly?

Installation is relatively easy; however, there are a few pitfalls that might result in either a crooked kick plate or even damage to the door.

Below is an easy step-by-step guide on how to do it right.

• Measure the door width and find the center line of it.
• Place the plate about an inch from the bottom edge of the door.
• Pencil-mark the positions of screws or adhesive holes and make sure they are level.
• Drill pilot holes if you are using screws, making sure that they are shallow enough not to split the door.
• Fix the plate to the door with screws or adhesive strips, according to the door type.
• Clean the surface when done.

If the door is either hollow core or fiberglass, then the adhesive plates might be preferable compared to screw plates, as the latter may damage a fragile door. If the door is made of solid wood or metal, screws will work better.

Common Errors That People Make While Selecting Kick Plates

Many consumers tend to hurry the selection process and get any available kick plate irrespective of whether or not it fits the door once it has been mounted. Making a hasty purchase without measuring properly happens to be the most common mistake made by many people, resulting in either noticeable gaps at the edges or overlapping plates.

Selecting the wrong finish for the kick plate is another mistake that many people make, leading to inconsistency in appearance even when all other components of the plate have been correctly installed. Comparing the finishes of all door hardware, including the handles and hinges, usually helps to prevent such situations from occurring.

Other people fail to pay attention to the mounting methods of the plates. Many people do not consider the fact that there are two ways of attaching the plates to the doors, namely, by screws and adhesive tape, making the process a bit tricky.

Kick Plate Maintenance Tips

The kick plate does not need much maintenance once it is installed, but a bit of maintenance is essential to keep it looking like new. It is simple practices that help in maintaining the beauty of the product.

Some of the tips for the maintenance of the product include:

• Use a soft cloth to clean the surface weekly.
• Clean the surface with soap and water for hard stains that may not come off with just the use of a soft cloth.
• Check whether the screws are loose because of impact.
• Use stainless steel polish occasionally for the maintenance of the shiny look.
• Fixing the dents on the product early because of the fact that it gets deeper with time.

There will not be much difference if you do not maintain the product at all because the product is tough and does not need much maintenance, but some maintenance helps in keeping it looking great.

Protecting Your Doors for Years To Come

Kick plates may be small in size, but they make all the difference when it comes to keeping your doors presentable for years to come. This applies whether it is a frequently used commercial door or an everyday front door that gets the daily wear and tear from family members coming and going.

At Just Kick Plates, we offer a great variety of pre-assembled kick plates in a number of sizes and finishes that will suit any door. We can provide these kick plates at affordable prices, along with bulk discounts, shipping Canada wide.

Browse our full selection and find the right fit for your door today.