Kick plates or not?

What’s your thoughts on kick plates on front doors? Do they help?
We currently don’t have them but are considering it as part of a door reno. One contractor said he wouldn’t recommend it since water can get trapped behind them.

mile222

in General Discussion 7 years and 1 month ago

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landlord | 7 years ago

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I paint the common area of my 6 family brownstone once a year. Every year I noticed that most doors had a lot of scuff marks on the bottom. Installing kick plates not only prevented the ugly scuff marks, but also looks great. However, I did not install it on an exterior door.

jackdaniel

in General Discussion 7 years and 1 month ago

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Polishing brass is a PITA, good for UES buildings with staff paid to get down on their hands and knees and be careful not to damage the adjoining wood in the process of polishing. We are living with the natural level of tarnish on our brass bathroom fixtures and front door pull, and were disgusted that the expensive and supposedly solid brass plates we installed around our front locks corroded, not solid brass at all. Buyer beware or at least be realistic with this stuff,

RobertGMarvin

in General Discussion 7 years and 1 month ago

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I agree that its as much an aesthetic as a practical choice. I like kick plates and also had some damage to the bottoms of my doors, which they cover. If you don’t lacquer them (or any brass) they’re not too hard to polish. IMO lacquering brass is a BIG mistake.

jackdaniel

in General Discussion 7 years and 1 month ago

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These were not on our brownstone doors when we purchased, we did not put them on and continue after 35 years not to see the need. They seem more decorative than necessary, unless you have some damage to cover up. Also, they will need maintenance since they are brass (the lacquering which keeps them shiny will age off pretty quickly) So Id say dont bother unless you want the look.

catboot | 7 years and 1 month ago

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When we restored our door, we took them off.

RobertGMarvin

in General Discussion 7 years and 1 month ago

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Probably not ORIGINAL, but HISTORIC in that people have been installing kick plates since door bottoms started getting nicked, likely within a few years of the houses being built.

SusanElkins | 7 years and 1 month ago

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We were told by our door renisher not to do it, that they are not historic and that they trap water. We did not.

resident2 | 7 years and 1 month ago

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Kick plates on doors help to maintain the doors; people unconsciously kick the doors as they push them open much more frequently than they think. Especially if you have tenants I would install them. They also protect the doors from stroller wheels etc.
And as Bob suggested just add a line of silicone along the top back as it is installed to keep water from running down the back..

RobertGMarvin

in General Discussion 7 years and 1 month ago

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I’ve had them for >40 years, mainly because the bottoms of my doors were somewhat chipped. Maybe that wouldn’t have happened if the previous owners had installed kick plates. I don’t think trapped water is much of a consideration, but, if that’s a concern, you might want to apply some caulking to the back before fastening the plates to your doors.