What is a Kick Plate and Why Does Every Door Need One?

A kick plate is a narrow strip of metal that is attached at the bottom of the door to protect it from scuffs and damage. The doors which are placed at the entrance of a building, kitchen, or loading dock get damaged due to boots, carts, and delivered boxes, and the damages accumulate quickly. That is precisely the reason why commercial door kick plates have become very popular among Canadian buildings. 

Available in sizes like a compact 10" x 28" stainless steel kick plate, there are products available that fit perfectly on all types of doors. Just Kick Plates offers wide varieties with quick shipping across Canada.

Why Do Commercial Doors Require Kick Plates?

Every time a door is opened, it gets hit by feet, wheels, and whatever else is being pushed into the doorway. Over a period of time, this repetitive hitting causes wear and tear on the door's bottom edge, making it look aged even though the rest of the building is still in good shape.

A door protection plate solves this problem cheaply and permanently.  Instead of constantly repainting or replacing the door, you just replace the kick plate, which catches the wear and tear and can be cleaned easily.

Buying commercial door kick plates is much cheaper than paying for repairs to a damaged door later, and that is the reason why so many facilities management professionals consider them a standard maintenance procedure.

• Reduces future expenses of repairs and painting
• Preserves the neat appearance of the entrance
• Quick and easy installation
• Resistant to water and corrosion
• Complies with fire code and accessible door regulations

Why Should Stainless Steel Be Your Go-To for Kick Plates?

All kick plates are built equally. Plastics crack, aluminium bends, and painted kick plates chip and peel in one or two years due to traffic. Stainless steel can withstand just as much abuse without warping or scratching, making it a clear favourite in commercial settings. When it comes to double doors and areas of high traffic, the 18" x 34" stainless steel kick plate is a popular choice that covers the entire door from floor to mid-point.

On top of durability, stainless steel provides an additional advantage of hygienic properties that make it ideal for use in offices, schools, and medical buildings since these places experience frequent touching and kicking of surfaces throughout the day. In addition, a stainless steel kick plate in Canada needs to be able to withstand the wear-and-tear of road salt, slush, and cold temperatures, which is not a problem for this particular material.

• No rusting or corrosion
• Easily cleaned with minimum maintenance
• Keeps its shiny appearance for many years
• Can withstand cold weather and high traffic
• Lasts much longer than plastics and aluminum kick plates
  

How to Find the Proper Dimensions for Your Kick Plate?

The size of the kick plate should depend on the door width and the amount of traffic the entrance has daily. A narrow interior door will require smaller dimensions, and a wide entrance used in commercial buildings requires full protection to prevent damage to the whole door base. It is important that the correct dimension will be considered as important as the material choice because otherwise, there may be gaps for potential damage. Choosing the right dimension for the commercial kick plates for doors ensures that the whole entrance will be protected and not only its middle.

• Narrow interior doors: smaller dimensions cover the door base without overhanging it.
• Standard commercial entrances: moderate dimensions balance the cost and protection.
• Double entrance doors with heavy traffic: bigger dimensions cover more area.
• Non-standard dimensions: cut-to-size kick plates for non-standard openings.

For most standard commercial entrances, the 12" x 30" stainless steel kick plate will be an optimal choice, as it is tall enough to protect against damage from carts and dollies.

Common Installation Errors That Reduce the Lifespan of a Kick Plate

No matter how well the kick plate is made, it will not last long if it is installed improperly. One of the most common errors in installation is attaching the plate too high or too low. This means that there will always be a gap between the plate and the actual surface of the door, thus allowing all kinds of dirt to get through. 

Not drilling pilot holes is yet another common mistake that could be made, and drilling screws directly into the door without making holes may result in cracking the paint or uneven mounting of the plate.

Installation solely with adhesive is a quick way out that usually fails under conditions of intensive use. Adhesive strips become loose in just a few months due to temperature changes and intensive impact, while screws seem to be much more durable.

The Value of Investment for Each Kick Plate

While a kick plate is only a small item when compared to the costs incurred in the refinishing and/or replacement of doors, it saves you from any costs that will arise from that damage. Doors at the entrances of stores, hospitals, and offices are among the surfaces that get handled the most within buildings, and any wear at the bottom is the first evidence of carelessness.

By incorporating this small feature while carrying out regular door maintenance, you will begin to see its value immediately by saving yourself from one painting or replacement job. Within five or ten years, this simple initial investment can save you many such jobs, making it a very wise addition for any business entrance.

Placement of Kick Plates within the Building Maintenance Regulations in Canada

Maintenance of Canadian commercial and institutional structures usually has to meet certain maintenance requirements with respect to fire code compliance, accessibility standards, and building maintenance bylaws, with the door itself being one of the aspects considered. 

The presence of damage to the lower part of the door can serve as an alerting factor during inspections, especially when it comes to institutions such as schools, hospitals, and residential properties, where stricter wear-and-tear regulations apply.

Installing the plate is an easy way to fulfill these requirements without undergoing any serious renovation process, while at the same time addressing the issue of accessibility, as an intact surface prevents any risk of tripping while moving around.

Inspection and Replacement Schedule of Kick Plates

Kick plates require minimal maintenance but are not something to be neglected after installation. All one needs to do is glance at the kick plate every month or two and keep an eye out for loose screws, lifted edges, and accumulated dirt and grime that could trap moisture near the door surface. For buildings that see a lot of movement through their doors every day, such as store entrances or school corridors, kick plate inspection needs to be done more frequently than for a calm office corridor.

The replacement of stainless steel kick plates is never an emergency, as this material is less likely to dent and rust than other materials like paint or plastic. However, when a kick plate becomes warped, detaches itself from the door, or gets dangerously sharp corners from years of abuse, it needs to be replaced right away.

Make Sure That All Your Building’s Doors Are Protected

Although the kick plate might not appear as something important, it plays multiple roles. First of all, it helps to maintain doors in good condition, saves money on their painting and replacement, and can endure all sorts of wear, wheelchairs, and harsh winters in Canada.

Just Kick Plates gives you an opportunity to select from many choices available to you, including huge stock, fast delivery across Canada, and discounts on increased volumes of purchases.

Tired of fixing your doors? Try our stainless steel kick plates!