Do I Need a Kick Plate On My Front Door?

Have you noticed any dents and scratches at the bottom of your door? Dents and scratches at the bottom of our doors are caused by us! Yup. Sometimes when we’re moving in and out of our homes we kick at the bottom of the door, often unintentionally. When we’re walking through the door and our hands our full, especially if we’re making multiple trips to and from our car it can be easy to push the door open with our feet. Unfortunately, this can cause damage to the door. For some homeowners the dings at the bottom of the door are no big deal but for others it can be a sore sight.

Homeowners who want to prevent dents and scratches to the surface of the door can invest in kick plates. Not sure what kick plates are for? We’ll detail what they are and why they might make a good fit for your front door in this post.

Use the links below to skip ahead:

What is a front door kick plate?
Do I need a kick plate on my front door?
Measuring and installing kick plates
Remember to check the warranty on your existing door

What is a front door kick plate?

Kick plates are add-on plates commonly made of metal. Common metals used in kick plates include:

Aluminum
Brass
Stainless steel

This element is installed at the bottom of your door, to protect against scratches and dents. Structural deformities can not only occur due to your kicking to open the door, but might also be developed by stroller bumps, pet/animal scrapings and so on.

Standard height of kick plates available in the market are between 10 and 16 inches↗ high. Currently metal, vinyl, and plastic kick plates are available in the market. Most homeowners choose metal kick plates because they look nicer and are more durable than their cheaper counterparts.

Do I need a kick plate on my front door?

No. Kick plates are not necessary but they are a great feature to protect the surface of the door. It will not only protect the finish of your door from scuff marks and scratches but it gives the door an additional little design touch, just make sure to choose one that complements the design of your door. Kick plates are common on the doors of commercial businesses but they are increasingly being used on residential doors as well.

Measuring and installing kick plates

Installing a kick plate is fairly easy. Start by getting the proper measurements. You’ll need measure the width of the door↗ while keeping it open. Remember to leave around an inch of space on either side, and place the kick plate a little over a half inch above the bottom of the door. Use some tape or adhesive for temporary placement while you fix the screws making sure the plate is perfectly leveled.

You can purchase kick plates preinstalled on your door or you can purchase them separately to install at a later time. If you decide to add kick plates later, make sure to check the warranty on the door.

Remember to check the warranty on your existing door

Doors are a big investment, before you make any alterations to the condition of the door make sure to review the terms of the warranty. If your warranty has expired then go ahead and add the kick plate, if it hasn’t then you may want to hold off on adding that kick plate. Some manufacturers are very particular about the details of the warranty and you may want to follow the terms in case you need to file a claim for another reason later.

Purchasing kick plates

You can purchase kick plates for your front door online from specialty stores, from the vendors that sell your door, or from other home improvement stores. You’ll have plenty of choices so you’ll be sure to find the perfect plate for your door.