Door stops, also known as door stoppers/wedges, are devices designed to prevent doors from moving or closing freely–protecting furniture and walls from damage. These objects serve various purposes, such as holding a door open and preventing a door from slamming shut. A door stop comes in multiple styles, sizes, and materials, avoiding damage to walls' plaster and doors due to repetitive hard closing or slamming. They come in different shapes, including dome-shaped door stoppers, cylindrical, oval, round, cone-shaped door wedges, and triangular door stops. Additionally, the significance of a door stopper lies in its ability to save money by replacing damaged doors or costly repairs.
Popular Types of Door Stops
Door stoppers come in a wide variety of types based on their materials, mounting configurations, and mechanisms. Some of the most popular door stop types include:
- Wedge Door Stops: These are simple, wedge-shaped objects typically made of rubber, plastic, or wood. They are slid under the door to hold open and are portable, allowing them to move from one door to another.
- Kickdown Door Stops: These are typically used on exterior doors and are foot-operated. They can be kicked down to hold the door open and released by foot to close it.
- Rubber Door Stops: Rubber door stops are versatile and can be placed under the door or wedged against it to prevent it from moving. A rubber door stop is soft and resists damage to floors or doors.
- Wall-Mounted Door Stops: Like floor-mounted door stops, wall-mounted door stoppers are attached to the wall at a suitable height to prevent the door handle from damaging the wall when the door is opened.
- Hinge Pin Door Stops: A hing door stopper replaces one of the hinge pins on a door's hinges. They work by limiting the door's swing and preventing it from opening too far or hitting the wall.
- Floor-Mounted Door Stops: These door stops are installed on the floor, typically when the door makes contact. They can be a simple post or a more elaborate design. Floor-mounted doorstops are often used to prevent door handles or knobs from damaging walls.
- Spring Door Stops: These door stops are installed on the baseboard or wall and feature a spring-loaded mechanism that absorbs the force when the door is pushed open. They prevent doors from hitting the wall and causing damage.
- Magnetic Door Stops: Magnetic door stops comprise a magnet attached to the door and a metal plate attached to the wall or floor. When the door is open, the magnet holds a metal in place.
- Decorative Door Stops: Some door stops are designed to be more decorative, often resembling animals, characters, or other objects. These can add a pleasing appearance to a home while serving a practical purpose.
Typical Applications of Door Stops
Door stops are extensively used in industrial, residential, and commercial sectors, requiring frequent or high-volume traffic across doors. They are typically used in:
- Industrial Facilities
- Homes
- Construction Sites
- Automotive Industries
- Distribution Centers
- Office Settings
- Restaurants and Cafes
- Warehouses
- Security
- Medical Settings.
