Drip Strips & Rain Guards

Keep water out, protect your floors and extend the life of your doors with our range of drip strips and rain guards, available to buy online from John Barnes Group. Designed for Australian conditions, these simple but highly effective pieces of architectural door hardware help deflect wind-driven rain away from the door leaf and threshold, reducing water ingress and draughts around external doors.

Whether you are finishing a new build, upgrading a tired front door or managing a portfolio of commercial properties, our drip strips and rain guards provide a neat, professional solution. Choose from modern finishes that coordinate with leading brands like Barben, Dormakaba, Lockwood and Zanda, with options suitable for residential and commercial projects across Brisbane, wider Queensland, New South Wales and Australia-wide.

What Are Drip Strips and Rain Guards?

Drip strips and rain guards are slim profiles fitted to the top or bottom of an external door, or directly to the frame, to channel water away from the opening. By breaking the path of water and shedding it away from the door face, they minimise the chance of leaks, swelling, staining and damage to floor coverings just inside the entry.

Commonly used on front doors, balcony doors, laundry doors and commercial shopfronts, they are an essential complement to weather seals and thresholds. When combined with quality locks, hinges and door closers from brands such as Dormakaba, Lockwood, Barben and Zanda, they contribute to a complete, durable and professional door hardware package.

Benefits for Residential and Commercial Doors

Protect doorways from rain and splash

Australian weather can be harsh, from summer storms in Brisbane and South East Queensland to coastal conditions along New South Wales. Drip strips and rain guards help control runoff, directing water away from the door leaf and threshold. This reduces the risk of water tracking under the door, which can cause timber swelling, corrosion, mould growth and damage to internal floor finishes.

Extend door and hardware life

By reducing how often your door and hardware are saturated, you can help extend the life of finishes and moving parts. Less standing water means less chance of rust on hinges, screws and security hardware, and less maintenance over the life of the building. When paired with high-quality products from brands like Lockwood, Barben, Zanda and Dormakaba, drip strips support reliable long-term performance.

Improve comfort and presentation

Rain guards provide a cleaner, more controlled entry. They help keep the threshold drier, making entrances feel more welcoming for visitors and customers, and reducing the amount of water tracked inside. For commercial tenancies, this supports safer, tidier entries, while homeowners will appreciate less dirt and moisture making its way onto internal floor coverings.

Choosing the Right Drip Strip or Rain Guard

Match your door type and opening style

When selecting drip strips or rain guards, consider your door construction (timber, aluminium or steel), the thickness of the door and whether it is inward or outward opening. Some profiles are better suited to hinged front doors, while others are ideal for utility doors or side entries. Ensuring a good fit helps the hardware shed water effectively without interfering with normal door operation.

Consider materials and finishes

Most drip strips and rain guards are manufactured from durable metals with corrosion-resistant finishes. Popular choices include clear anodised or satin stainless looks for modern commercial projects, and matte black or brushed nickel to match contemporary residential door furniture from brands such as Barben and Zanda. Choosing a finish that complements your Lockwood or Dormakaba locks and levers creates a cohesive, premium look.

Think about location and exposure

Doors in exposed positions, such as coastal facades in Queensland and New South Wales, may benefit from more robust materials and finishes. Sheltered entries might prioritise aesthetics and coordination with surrounding architectural door hardware. Consider how much wind-driven rain the doorway receives and whether additional seals or thresholds may also be required as part of a broader weather-protection strategy.

Finishes and Styles to Suit Modern Door Hardware

Contemporary, classic and commercial looks

Drip strips and rain guards are available in styles that work across a wide range of projects. Sleek, low-profile designs suit contemporary residential facades, while more robust commercial profiles are ideal for shopfronts and apartment entries. Matte black finishes pair beautifully with Barben and Zanda pull handles, while satin stainless and similar tones align well with Dormakaba and Lockwood commercial hardware suites.

Coordinate across the whole door

For the best result, think of your drip strip or rain guard as part of the overall hardware package. Match or complement the finish of your hinges, handles, deadbolts, door closers and kick plates. This attention to detail helps create a professional, considered entry statement, whether you are upgrading a single front door or specifying hardware for a full multi-residential or commercial project.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

Simple, practical installation

Most drip strips and rain guards are designed for straightforward installation by a competent trade. Typically, they are cut to suit the door width, positioned to ensure effective water shedding, then fixed through pre-drilled holes. For best results, align the profile carefully, check door clearances and ensure any existing seals or thresholds still operate as intended. If you are unsure, your builder, locksmith or door hardware installer can assist.

Easy ongoing care

Maintenance is generally minimal. Periodically clean the drip strip or rain guard with mild soapy water to remove dirt and contaminants, especially in coastal or industrial environments. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive pads that may damage the finish. Check fixings occasionally and re-tighten if necessary, particularly on high-traffic commercial doors and exposed entries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a drip strip or rain guard actually do?

A drip strip or rain guard redirects water away from the door leaf and threshold, helping prevent water running down the face of the door and under the bottom edge. This reduces the risk of leaks, swelling, staining and damage to floor coverings immediately inside the doorway.

Where are drip strips most commonly used?

They are most often used on external doors, such as front entries, balcony doors, laundry doors, garage side doors and commercial shopfronts. Anywhere a door is exposed to wind-driven rain or run-off from above is a good candidate for a drip strip or rain guard.

Are drip strips suitable for high-traffic commercial entries?

Yes, many profiles are designed with commercial applications in mind, including offices, retail spaces, schools and healthcare facilities. When paired with robust locks, hinges and door closers from brands like Dormakaba and Lockwood, they form part of a durable, high-traffic entry solution.

What finishes can I choose from?

Finishes vary by product, but commonly include anodised aluminium tones, stainless-steel-look finishes, brushed metal, matte black and other contemporary colours. This makes it easy to coordinate with Barben, Zanda, Lockwood or Dormakaba hardware, whether your project is modern, industrial or more traditional.

Will a drip strip affect how my door closes?

When selected and installed correctly, a drip strip or rain guard should not negatively affect the way your door closes or seals. It is important to choose a profile compatible with your door type and ensure clearances are checked during installation. If in doubt, consult your installer or hardware specialist.

Can I install a drip strip myself?

Some homeowners may be comfortable installing simple surface-mounted profiles on straightforward doors. However, for best results—especially on heavy, fire or commercial doors—it is recommended to engage a licensed trade or door hardware professional to ensure correct fitment and performance.

Are these products suitable for coastal Queensland and New South Wales?

Yes, many drip strips and rain guards are available in corrosion-resistant materials and finishes suitable for coastal environments. When specifying for seaside properties in Queensland or New South Wales, selecting appropriate finishes and following regular cleaning routines will help maximise longevity.

Can I buy drip strips and rain guards online for delivery Australia-wide?

Absolutely. You can buy drip strips and rain guards online from John Barnes Group for projects in Brisbane, throughout Queensland, across New South Wales and Australia-wide. Ordering online makes it easy to coordinate all your architectural door hardware in one place, from drip strips and seals to locks, levers and door closers.

Why Choose John Barnes Group?

John Barnes Group is a trusted Australian door hardware specialist, supplying residential and commercial projects for decades. From drip strips and rain guards to complete hardware schedules featuring Barben, Dormakaba, Lockwood and Zanda, we help you select products that work together, look great and stand up to local conditions. With expert support, a broad range and delivery across Brisbane, Queensland, New South Wales and Australia-wide, we make it simple to finish every doorway to a professional standard.