A common problem when it comes to door maintenance is protecting the surface from wear and tear. Particularly in settings where the door is subject to heavy traffic, paintwork can swiftly become badly chipped and scared. Not only does this have a negative impact on the visual appearance of the door, it can also lessen its longevity as the underlying material becomes exposed to unnecessary additional wear as its protective layer of paint is lost. Stainless steel kick plates have been the traditional answer to this problem for decades, offering superb protection at the base of many well-used doors. Often underrated, this exciting piece of door furniture has the potential to not only protect doors from unnecessary wear, but also add an exciting dimension to the style and design of the entire structure. Find out how kick plates can work for your project from the following suggestions.
Suitable for Use on One or Both Sides of a Door
Front doors or those which provide entry between inside and outside space frequently only require a stainless steel kick plate on the exterior surface. This is because in most situations exterior doors swing only one way from their rest position, meaning it is more common to kick a standard door open than to kick it shut. Where swing doors are utilized, particularly in busy public environments such as hospitals, large office buildings or schools, kick plates on both sides of a door give comprehensive protection against hard use from any angle.
Economize on Door Materials
By using stainless steel kick plates to protect those areas of the door which are most vulnerable, it’s possible to successfully hang doors made from wood or other, more delicate materials without compromising the longevity of the finished product. This means that rather than using relatively expensive, yet more durable, materials, it’s possible to increase the life span of a relatively inferior door by the skillful use of kick plates to reinforce where it’s needed.
A Safer Alternative to Metal Doors
Doors need to be safe as well as functional, which is why doors constructed entirely of steel are uncommon. Although these would be extremely durable, their weight could make them difficult to hang and would require specialist fixings. In addition, if people collide with a steel door they are far more likely to sustain serious injury than if the incident occurred when a wooden or PVC door was in place. Kick plates provide the perfect solution, offering protection where it’s needed most without compromising on door safety or effectiveness.
Offering an affordable and straight-forward method of protecting doors against the rigors of heavy use, stainless steel kick plates also add considerable aesthetic appeal to many doors, providing an attractive accent which adds visual interest to otherwise bland surroundings. Homeowners frequently select a kick plate for their front door just because it looks great once in place, demonstrating that form and function fuse beautifully in this simple yet stunning piece of metalwork.
