Protection From Storms

This is beneficial because that portion of your front door is what takes the most damage.  Some storm doors, for example, have a hydraulic pulley on it to prevent it from slamming shut. However, at times this can break, and when a door slams, it can cause scratches and, over time, actual pieces of the door will start to come off. Before too long, this can produce rust and corrosion that will make the door eventually permeable to the elements, and it was originally designed to not be so. It can provide a nasty and gritty look to it, which takes away from the overall appearance and quality of your door.

Design

These kick plates are usually made of a strong metal or base like metal and can actually be used for what its name describes. You can kick it with your shoes to get any grass, snow, dirt, etc off of your shoes before coming into your home. This helps prevent you from tracking dirt and other unwanted particles into your home and leaves them outside for Mother Nature to handle.

Decoration

Door kick plates provide a great decorative feature to your door. You can find colors and materials that match your door or other accents in your home, and it will actually make it stand out quite a bit. At night, it can also act as a reflective measure for you to see where you are going.

In a way, it also helps protect you from intruders. You will definitely hear a kick plate being forced into before you will any other aluminum or plastic storm door product.

So where can you find a door kick plate? First of all, you can find plenty of kick plate resources online if you prefer not to physically go shopping for one. This is a benefit because you can purchase from the wholesale retailer and get a great price on it.  You can also, of course, find them at your local retailer, hardware store, or get advice from a local contractor on where you can find a plate that accentuates your home and for a decent price.

Door kick plates of any type would be a great addition to your home, and they are most beneficial for their protective features. Check out your local resources some time to see how one might be beneficial to you and how it can add overall value of your home.

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Style

A stainless steel kick plate is often an elegant and sophisticated touch to a home’s entryway, yet it is also inviting, too. This feature adds an extra touch of sparkle and pizzazz, regardless of whether you choose a polished or satin finish to your piece. While sophisticated in nature, it can be inviting and tells the world that you truly are expecting guests and that you take care of your home as well. Whether viewing your home from the curbside or sidewalk or viewing it from up close, people will notice that this is an accessory that truly adds the kind of style you want for your front entryway.

Function

A stainless steel kick plate may be stylish, but it is also completely functional. Just think how many times you have gone in and out of your front door with your hands full and gently pushed the door open with your foot, and then think how many times others in your house as well as visitors to your home have done the same thing. The fact is that your front door is simply going to come in contact with some pretty dirty shoes from time to time, and even clean shoes can leave scuff marks. Would you rather have an attractive, stylish kick plate on your door or these dirt marks and scuff marks?

Durability

Any time you have metal outside and exposed to the elements, you no doubt will be concerned about how the elements will affect the metal over time. A stainless steel kick plate is an excellent choice if durability is a concern. This type of metal is known to be solid and sturdy, and it has been chemically designed to be resistant to corrosion, rust, and stains, unlike many other metals. If you are debating between this metal and another type of metal for your outdoor space, do a head-to-head comparison, and you will likely find that this metal easily wins hands down.

As you can see, a stainless steel kick plate truly is an excellent choice for your home’s front door. Such a feature can be compared to a welcome mat, as they both offer function and style to the space. However, unlike a welcome mat, the kick plate can generally be seen from farther away and is even visible from the street with most homes, making it an important feature that will add curb appeal to your home.

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Benefits of a Kick Plate

Kick plates are made for protection for any door in your home or even office building. Your front door can take a pretty heavy beating when it comes to facing the weather especially when dealing with rain, snow, sleet, hail, prolonged exposure to the sunlight, and other various factors that can wear on your door.

The bottom portion of your doorway is what takes the most beating. Over time, it can begin to tarnish and rust. Eventually, this can even lead to deterioration and swelling of your door. This will cause rusty pieces to break off and eventually prevent you from being able to shut your door.

A solid brass kick plate will help protect your door like a bumper does for the front of a car. It will take the heat from the elements first and keep the value of your home in good shape, too.

Why a Solid Brass Kick Plate?

Compared to a regular metal or plastic one, this one will first of all provide you more protection due to its hardness factor. Brass can take a beating better than other metals can. Keep in mind, though, that solid brass ones can incur damage like anything else.

There have been some cases where solid brass plates have even been protective from fire and can reflect the sun’s rays out instead of absorbing them like a dark paint on your door would. When this happens without the solid brass kick plate, your door can actually swell or bow in some portions.

How to Care for a Solid Brass Kick Plate

Solid brass plates need to be taken care of even though they may come with a warranty and a protective sealant. You can use a wax designed for such metals that are recommended from your local retailer or others recommended by your local hardware store.

When applying the wax, put on a light coating first and let it haze over for a bit. Putting too much on will cause smearing that will take hours and hours to get out. After it’s hazed over a bit, begin to polish your solid brass kick plate to the original luster it initially came with.

Make sure to take the kick plate off the door to make it easier to work with when cleaning. If you cannot take it off, then you will have to get on your hands and knees and do some scrubbing for a bit.

If a solid brass kick plate is on your list, then now you know how to use it to your advantage.

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Screw Mounted

There are a few different forms of oil rubbed bronze kick plates nowadays. The first is a screw-mounted kick plate. This form is one of the most secure types available and is also one of the more common types. People have been using this type for years, but some people don’t like the fact that it will leave holes in your door once you remove it. If you don’t mind the holes or if you are not planning on taking off the kick plate, this would be the ideal way to go. You can install this type on wood, fiberglass, and even metal.

Magnetic Type

This type of a kick plate is what is used on doors that are metal. The back side of the plate is nothing but magnet, and this makes it easier for staying in place. When using on a metal door, it’s going to stay secure and will not slip around everywhere. Keep in mind, though, they are only going to be able to be used on metal.

Adhesive Mounted Oil Rubbed Bronze Kick Plate

If you have a door that you aren’t keen on putting holes into, this is a great method to use and is just as secure as well. You need to make sure that your door area is clean and dry before you apply the adhesive to the back of the kick plate and then to the door. The adhesive can’t be put on again, so make sure that you have the kick plate where you want it. These types of kick plates give you the same elegant look; they just don’t require you to have screws in your doors. These can be used on just about all doors.

Thickness and Material

Other considerations besides the different types is the thickness as well as the material. They are available in a variety of thickness levels, from a half inch to an inch or even thicker. When choosing your kick plate, ensure that it’s not going to look too bulky on your door. You can find finishes such as brass, stainless steel, plastic, dark bronze, and aluminum.

An oil rubbed bronze kick plate is going to be the perfect touch you need for your doors, and is going to allow you to add a sense of style to your home without going broke. You can get them customized to your liking also if you cannot find one already pre-made.

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The Front Door

This unique metal finish offers an excellent aesthetic look to your home’s exterior. From the street and even to those who approach your front door, the silvery sheen is subtle and sophisticated yet completely inviting, too. It also is a very durable metal, so it will not ding easily when you accidentally bang things against it or when it accidentally is kicked. Further, nickel is not known as being corrosive, so it is a better choice than aluminum that corrodes or iron that may rust.

Kitchen Cabinets

A nickel kick plate is a truly beautiful choice for your kitchen cabinets. Often, in a kitchen where there are generally quite a few other metal features like light fixtures, water faucets, cabinet hardware, door knobs, and more, you will want to choose a kick plate that matches your metallic features already in place, or otherwise you will want to remodel these items so they all correspond beautifully. The fact is that the kitchen is often among the most frequented rooms in the home, so having this accessory not only looks great but helps to keep your cabinets looking clean and new.

Interior Doors

You can also consider putting a nickel kick plate on your home’s interior doors. Again, you likely will want to match the nickel with your interior door knobs, light fixtures, and other such features. The bottom of your doors in any room of the home can easily become dirty, scuffed, and more, and having these features installed helps to keep them looking great. Often, having these features will add an additional element of style and often carries an edge of sophistication and elegance, too.

As you can see, there are a lot of different decorating ideas that you can consider for using a nickel kick plate in your home. If you are not quite sure that this is the right accessory for your home, spend time reviewing some decorating magazines and websites to see how they are used in spaces throughout a home. You can also walk through some model homes to see firsthand how these ideas are used in real-life settings. Plus, you can even purchase a few and install them on doors to see how they look in your specific home with your own décor, and then try them out for a few days or weeks to see how you like them.

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Shine

Most metal kick plate models feature a brilliant shine, and this can be really eye-catching in a room. Just consider what a finish such as polished brass or polished stainless steel, to name just a few, would do for a space. While many people want their door to have an attractive accent on it, as this accessory would surely do, they don’t want the door to be the main focal point of the room. These polished, high-sheen finishes are in fact suitable for some spaces, but in others they are a distraction and can take away from the ambiance. So take time to consider the shine of the kick plate you are considering.

Color

The fact is that a metal kick plate can come in a variety of hues. From the palest shades of brushed nickel to the brightest yellow hues of brass or even the reddish-orange tint of copper, too, there are so many different hues available. In addition to the brilliance of the shine, you should consider if there is a type of metal finish that comes in a color suitable for your room. Typically, the type of metal will match other decorative features in room. If your room is entirely done in black wrought iron or has no metal whatsoever to complement the kick plate, this may not be the best choice for your space.

Décor

Shine and color will certainly play a part in determining if a metal kick plate is right for your space, but another factor to consider is the décor of the room. Generally, these features are found in rooms that are traditional, colonial, sophisticated, or even modern in themes and styles. There are actually quite a few different decorative styles that look great with this feature, but not all will be suitable. For example, you would have a hard time finding a kick plate that goes well with an Asian-inspired room with bamboo accent pieces.

As you can see, there are a lot of different factors to consider as you ponder whether a metal kick plate is right for your space. You should keep in mind these various features as well if you do decide that this is the right decorative feature for your space. These guidelines can help you to find the right accessory suitable for your room.

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Kick plates have a multi-function to them and can not only make your doors appear nicer, but they are also designed to protect your doors from things such as scuff marks, scratches, and dents. Installing a kick plate is easy and is a quick fix to take your door appearance to the next level.

Measure

The most important part of installing a magnetic kick plate is to measure your door. Keep in mind that your kick plate shouldn’t run the entire width of the door you are putting it on, and you should have about a half inch to spare on each side. Also, measure a few times to ensure you get it right before cutting it. It’s important to have that gap, as any part that hangs over can affect the door opening and closing.

Width

When you are measuring your magnetic kick plate, it should be about two inches less on each side. If it’s the exact width of your door, it won’t close right and won’t open right. This means it may catch the door frame and begin to bend and ruin not only the kick plate, but the door and frame itself.

How Tall Should It Be?

A good rule to consider is that the bigger the door is, the bigger the kick plate should be. It would look awkward having a kick plate that is a lot smaller than the door it is being put on. For the most part, a standard kick plate size of around five to seven inches is the normal range. Be sure that you use a tape measure to ensure it’s the right size and will fit properly.

Choosing a Mount

There are a few different options in regard to mounting your kick plate: screw-in, magnetic and adhesive. Magnetic kick plates are a great choice if you are looking for a great style and nothing that is going to be permanent. They are great and are just as durable and strong as other types. They will stay in place and won’t slide around like some people think they might.

When you are choosing your magnetic kick plate, always ensure it’s the right size and that you are not using one that is too small or too big for your door. If you need a different size and can’t find what you need, you have the option to get one custom-made for your door. There are many places that do customizations, and the only thing is there may be a small additional fee.

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These are like most normal kick plates in that they provide your door protection from the elements while giving value and decoration to your home. Kick plates are great for making sure dirt and snow are off of your shoes, and they can also help protect the door from children running and kicking the door open.

Why a Magnetic Brass Kick Plate?

Magnetic kick plates are pretty neat in that it saves you all the time of having to install it as you would have to with a traditional kick plate. On a regular set-up, you would have to measure and cut the kick plate to fit your door. You would also, in some cases, have to drill or nail the plate to the front portion of your door.

This can be a problem if you decide that you want to remove the kick plate for some reason, such as to replace the door or to even paint the door. These kick plates simply stick to the door you are trying to protect. Keep in mind that they only work on steel doors so they can attract the magnet to it.

Negatives of a Magnetic Brass Kick Plate

Some of the non-positive portions of this type of kick plate are that it comes with non-screw-hole if you wanted to screw it into the door. It also can slide and have to be readjusted more often than a fastened kick plate would. Sometimes, they can even move around when you are kicking your feet at the door before you come in.

Positives

It’s magnetic. This is going to save you quite a bit of time from having to measure, drill holes, and fasten the kick plate. It’s also easy to remove if you need to clean or paint the door, as this is usually a thing that needs to be done every year or so because the sunlight can fade the color in a door. Plus, it’s easy to remove the kick plate for maintenance on the kick plate itself.

Maintenance of the Magnetic Brass Kick Plate

Brass, like most metals, can be cleaned with a mild cleanser, and if you would like to wax it, use a recommended brass wax from your local hardware store. Apply it gingerly and not excessively when waxing. Let the wax come to a haze, and then buff it out to a shine. Otherwise, too much will take a long time to buff out, and your kick plate will not look as shiny as it should.

Getting a magnetic brass kick plate can offer you the convenience of having one that is not permanent. If you are trying to find one you like or are not going to be in your home for long, this is the ideal option.

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Positives of a Baldwin Brass Kick Plate

Obviously you will not want to install the same accessory that you would install in another area, such as on the front door, as you would in an interior room like the kitchen. So what styles can you consider for your kitchen kick plate? Here are a few ideas that would look lovely in many homes:

Pewter, Nickel, and Antique Rust

These three finishes are all excellent for a rustic or traditional kitchen. They will serve the functional purpose of keeping the doors and cabinets in a high-traffic area clean, and they will also complement pewter, nickel, and antique rust hardware and fixtures that you already have installed throughout your kitchen.

Stainless Steel and Black Steel

These two finishes look amazing in a modern-themed kitchen. They serve as a stark, stunning accent to bold colors in your kitchen. In fact, in a kitchen with stainless steel appliances or with an all-black or all-white theme, they will look amazing.

Brass and Bronze

Brass and bronze are both beautiful choices for a more elegant kitchen. With warm, golden hues and brilliant shine, a kitchen kick plate with these finishes is truly an eye-catching, striking feature that will enhance the look of your kitchen.

Often the decision to install a kitchen kick plate is made for functional reasons, and they are very common in homes that have children of all ages and sizes, as children are particularly hard on doors and cabinets. Yet even in low traffic homes, they can add an extra touch of style. With the many finishes available, you can use them to accentuate almost any style you are working to achieve in your space.

The finish you select for your kitchen kick plate will often be decided by the accessories and possibly the appliances that you currently have in your space. For instance, if your kitchen cabinet hardware, pantry door knob, and water fixtures are all made of a polished nickel finish, you will find that having a polished nickel kick plate is a natural fit to the décor of the space. Take some time to consider what this accessory would do for your space from both a functional and an aesthetic point. It may even help to purchase one and hold it up to the door to really see firsthand what it would do for your space. You can always return it to the store, but if you are like most people, you will find that this accessory truly will add a new dimension to the style in your kitchen.

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Here are a few tips to learn how to install kick plates on any door in your home:

1. You might not think so, but there is a real reason for kick plates, and that is to protect your door from dirty shoes. They enable you to kick the door open or hold it open with your foot while your hands are holding something. What that means to you is that you need to pay attention to the side of the door that you put the plate on. For the most part, a kick plate is installed on the side of the door where you should kick it to push it open – for instance, on the outside of your front door.

2. If your door is 36” wide, that does not mean that your kick plate should be! Keep in mind that your door will swing within the frame and may be hidden up to one inch on each side. Therefore, when you are measuring for your kick plate, you need to do so with the door closed and then leave a little extra room on each side. The kick plate should not touch the door frame on either side.

3. The height of a kick plate is not something that you have a lot of choice in unless you are having them specifically cut and designed for you. The average kick plates in your home improvement store will run from 6 inches to 10 inches and come in a variety of widths, too. Make sure that you measure for height as well as width.

4. Once you have decided on a size, you will then have to figure out how to mount it. Some people prefer to use magnetic kick plates that adhere to the door, while other people don’t mind a little double-sided tape. The truth is though, that because that kick plate will take a beating, you are always best drilling holes and attaching it with screws.

5. The kick plate that you buy should have pre-drilled holes. Simply hold the kick plate up to your door and make little marks with a pencil through the holes. Then, drill holes and attach the kick plate with screws that are designed for the material of your door, and that are the same color as the kick plate.

Learning how to install kick plates is actually very easy, and once you are done with your first one, you will probably want to put them on every door of your house!

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