Locking Gate Out of Wood -hardware

Gate Locks for Wooden Gates & Garage Doors: A Guide

There's quite a choice of locks for wooden gates and side hinged wooden garage doors, ranging from the simple-to-fit to locks that are harder to fit (simply more secure).

In this guide, we round up the best of those available and requite yous the pros and cons of each!

Utilize the tabular array of contents below to skip to the information you need:

Locks for Wooden Gates

Automobile Gate Catches

You've probably seen these around and didn't know what they were called as they are very common on short front end pedestrian access gates. The lockable office is more than of an reconsideration as the little receiver that automatically drops downward when the gate is closed (hence the name!), has a pigsty through it that allows a padlock to be put through it to prevent opening. Not all car gate catches lock though, so double check what you are buying – usually those described as 'light duty' will non allow the use of a padlock!

pros:

Very inexpensive
Very easy to fit, usually vi or and so screws and yous're done!

A very inexpensive method of locking a gate

Motorcar gate catches can be found Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Shop.

cons:

- Not the greatest looking option merely functional
- Requires a padlock in order to get lockable
- Not a very secure method of locking

Brenton Padbolt

The Brenton Padbolt, more commonly known as but a padbolt, is probably the simplest lock to fit to a gate. No real challenges should present themselves every bit it simply fits to the front or rear confront of the gate and attaches using a combination of screws and bolts

The padbolt locks using a padlock, which you'll have to buy separately, and the primary downside is yous can but lock or unlock it from the side of the gate to which it is fitted, unless y'all fit information technology very near the top of a gate and can accomplish over to use the thing!

A Padbolt or Brenton Padbolt is the easiest gate or door lock to fit

Brenton Padbolts tin be plant under Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Shop.

Padbolt pros:

Uncomplicated to fit
Inexpensive compared to other locks
Every bit secure, if not more secure, than a long throw gate lock
Can be fitted to all types of gates (i.e. ledged and braced gates, framed ledged and braced gates). See our guide on How to fit a padbolt to a wooden gate.

Padbolt cons:

Can but really be used from the side of the gate it is fitted to
Not the most secure

Rim Locks

A rimlock is really a very simple lock for a gate or door, then called because information technology sits on the rim (edge) of a gate or door. Ordinarily, it is constitute on the within of shed doors and on ledged and braced gates; these are non really the most secure as they are actually a scrap flimsy, weak and not all that secure, as in most cases, if yous could go enough leverage to pull the gate open up, then the lock bolt tin actually snap.

Rimlocks come in ii varieties: you've the simple lock (pictured right) on its ain (opened from either side of the gate with a key) or a lock and latch version, which in one case unlocked, yous accept to twist the handles to open – imagine a poorer version of a sashlock and yous get the picture!

A simple version of a Rimlock, without a latch

Rimlock pros:

- Simple to fit
- Inexpensive compared to other locks
- Can exist operated from either side of the gates
- Can be fitted on a ledged and braced gate or as a lock for a contend type gate

Rimlock cons:

Not the virtually secure
Tin be inexpensive and nasty!
Not really suitable for a framed, ledged and braced gate

Nightlatches

Traditionally, these were known equally rim locks, though they shouldn't be confused with the mod mean solar day rimlock mentioned above as a Nightlatch lock (more normally referred to as a 'Yale lock', though other brands are available!) is a lot more than secure.

I, personally, wouldn't refer to a Nightlatch equally a gate lock but I've mentioned information technology hither every bit we become lots of requests for 'Yale type locks for gates'. A Nightlatch is fitted to an external door, on the inside face. On the inside face up of the lock, you have a little lever handle and usually a snib (this is used to either keep the lock from engaging or to prevent anyone with a key opening the door) at present this side is the internal side of the lock and not suitable for being exposed to any this dandy British climate of ours can throw at information technology and the lock won't weather at all well.

A Nightlatch, more than commonly referred to
equally a Yale lock (other makes are available!)

Nightlatch pros (as a gate lock):

Erm, nothing actually equally it'south not a gate lock!

Nightlatch cons (as a gate lock):

Not a gate lock!
Not the most secure lock, for example, on a front or dorsum door of your dwelling house for insurance purposes, even if you've got a Nightlatch fitted, so most insurance companies insist on a v Lever Insurance Deadlock being fitted likewise.

Long Throw Gate Locks

Perrys, Cays and Gatemate produce two versions (well, four if yous include the different sizing options of 50mm and 70mm versions of the locks!) of a long throw gate lock; the 'throw' is by how much the locking bar protrudes from the body of the lock; a double-locking choice (key lockable from both sides) and a single-locking option (with a unproblematic leap latch on the rear of the lock and a keyhole on the front).

From the front of the gates or doors, all that you'll see of the long throw lock is the cylinder of the lock protruding through the face of the gates/doors

Long throw gate lock front view

Looking for a single locking Perrys gate or door lock? Wait no further every bit you can find them within our store here!
Despite its name, the long throw gate lock can also exist fitted to a garage door; simply select the correct size pick; for doors or gates up to 50mm, and then select the 50mm lock option and for doors or gates up to 70mm thick, then select the 70mm lock option (the size options refer to the length of the cylinder that fits through the doors or gates).

The double-locking long throw gate lock has the advantage over the padbolt as it tin be locked and unlocked from either side of the gate, and then no more trying to reach over the gate to unlock the thing; however, in our stance, assuming somebody has admission to the rear of the gate or door then it is not quite as secure equally a correctly fitted padbolt (with padlock added)- and at to the lowest degree a padbolt is supplied with bolts to secure information technology through the gate rather than just screws that the long throw gate locks come up with, though there is nothing stopping yous from adding some of your own bolts, nevertheless.
Yous tin become your Perrys double locking long throw gate locks in our shop hither!

Rear view of the double locking long throw
gate lock (central operated each side)

Rear of the long throw gate lock with spring latch.
Fundamental performance from the front end only

Long throw gate locks can be institute under Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Store.

Fitting is simple enough as there is a handy guide supplied with all the locks; the principal office of plumbing equipment involves drilling a 28mm hole (instructions that are supplied with the long throw locks mention a 26mm hole, however both Perrys and Gatemate supply 28mm spade bits specifically for these locks every bit a 26mm hole is quite tight to get the barrel of the lock into) through the gate or door to have the bodily cylinder of the lock. Once this is done, the lock just actually screws onto the rear of the gate and hither, in our opinion, is what lets this lock down, as anybody who wants to overcome the lock can simply screw information technology off; a correctly fitted padbolt has two bolts that must be removed; again, these bolts are uncomplicated enough to disengage, all the same, it takes a fleck more time to do this.

Longthrow gate lock pros:

Improve looking than a padbolt (wolf whistle!)
Double-locking selection gives the ability to unlock from either side of the gate
Single locking option is handy if you lot don't desire the hassle of unlocking (from the rear only) with a central
Cheaper than a mortice lock
Can be fitted to a gate or door

Longthrow gate lock cons:

Not really any more than secure than a Brenton Padbolt
Far less secure than a mortice deadlock
More than expensive than a Brenton Padbolt
Cannot exist fitted anywhere on the gate or door (See below)

Mortice Deadlocks

If security is your thing, then a mortice deadlock is the way to become. You lot'll run into these as being commonly iii or v levers (the levers existence part of the mechanism within the lock, the more than levers it has, the more secure it is). For insurance purposes, at least a five lever lock is a must (hence the name v lever insurance lock!). This doesn't fit to the gate or door, it fits inside it, pregnant it cannot simply be unscrewed and removed; to get it out you've got to get the doors open!

A mortice deadlock gives yous the ability to unlock or lock the gates/doors from either side, as in one case fitted you've a keyhole on either side.

Also exist aware, that equally these sit within the door or gate, then there is a minimum thickness of door which information technology can be securely fitted into, usually this is 44mm but does vary from lock to lock.

A adept mortice deadlock will besides meet certain British Standards (wait out for the Kitemark) every bit well equally being CE marked and, in some cases, will too be 'Police Preferred, secured by design'. The deadlocks we supply meet all three criteria.

A mortice deadlock fits within the gate or door

Mortice deadlocks can be found under Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Shop.

Mortice deadlock pros:

More secure than whatsoever other gate lock on the market place
Key lockable from both sides
Usually guaranteed
Available equally a 5 lever insurance deadlock
Tin be fitted to both gates and doors

Mortice deadlock cons:

Slightly more difficult to fit equally you need to cut into the border of the gate
Cannot be fitted to ledged and braced gates/doors
More expensive than a Brenton Padbolt and long throw gate lock
Cannot exist fitted anywhere on the gate (see beneath)

Mortice Sashlocks

These are similar a mortice deadlock in nigh every way but with 1 exception; a sashlock needs a pair of handles fitted to it. The sashlock gives you the option of leaving the doors unlocked but withal held closed by fashion of the latch within the lock; y'all need to physically pull the handle downwards to release the latch and open the door.

Again, mortice sashlocks are normally three or 5 lever and the more than levers the lock has, the more secure it is; again, look for a lock that is 'Law Preferred, secured by blueprint', that has a British standard kitemark and as well CE markings.

A mortice sashlock requires a pair of handles

Mortice sashlocks can be plant under Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Shop.

Mortice sashlock pros:

More secure than any other gate/door lock on the market
Primal-lockable from both sides
Has a latch too every bit a lock
Usually guaranteed
Available as a 5 lever insurance deadlock
Tin exist fitted to doors

Mortice sashlock cons:

- Won't work on any gate where you take clearances (either between the two gates or gate and mail) of 10mm or over equally unremarkably the latch bolt only has a 10mm throw (throw being how far the latch bolt protrudes).

Slightly more hard to fit every bit you lot need to cut into the edge of the gate

Cannot be fitted to ledged and braced gates/doors
More expensive than a Brenton Padbolt and long throw gate lock
Cannot be fitted anywhere on the door (see below)
A pair of lever latch handles are required
Not really a gate lock

D&D Lokklatch Deluxe

The Lokklatch palatial is a modern twist on the traditional auto gate catches. Unlike the machine gate catches however this is cardinal lockable and is available in a hybrid of stainless steel and black polymer which gives a long lasting, corrosion resistant latch.

pros:

Fairly piece of cake to fit
Hidden fixings
Cardinal lockable from either side
Corrosion resistant stainless steel & moulded polymer terminate

D&D Lokklatch Deluxe

D&D Lokklatch deluxe can be found nether Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Store.

cons:

- Non the cheapest option on the market

D&D Magnalatch

Similar the D&D Lokklatch deluxe, the Magnalatch is similar to the automobile gate catch in that every bit y'all gate is airtight the latch pops out and engages.

You can and so lock by fashion of a fundamental hole in the side of the latch bar. There are two versions of this, 1 is lockable and one isn't so make sure you selection the correct version!

pros:

Quick and easy to install
No unsightly fixings
No padlock required
Able to adjust position of lock both horizontally and vertically after installation
Made from weather resistant stainless steel and moulded polymer
Manufacturers Lifetime Warranty

D&D Magnalatches can exist establish under Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Shop.

cons:

- There are most cost effective solutions on the market

D&D Lokklatch Magnetic

The D&D Lokklatch magnetic advent always reminds me of a caravan door lock, as the proper name implies it is a lock and a latch with both being able to operate from either side of the gates.

It's fairly easy to fit for anybody with a basic grasp of DIY and once fitted information technology can be adapted at a later on date if needed. You lot've also got a selection of different coloured trims allowing you to 'pimp upwardly' your lock, should you lot wish to!

pros:

Information technology'southward a latch every bit well as a lock
Nicer looking (if that's your affair!) than most gate locks
Tin can be locked / unlocked from either side of the gate
Manufactured from corrosion resistant stainless steel and black polymer
Manufacturers lifetime warranty

D&D Lokkbolt Dropbolts tin can exist plant under Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Store.

cons:

- Over again not the most economical option out there

Lockable Dropbolts

Not technically a lock in itself merely notwithstanding lockable equally the name implies is the lockable dropbolt. This is ideal equally a lock for driveway gates. Used in identify of a standard non-locking dropbolt, the lockable version is fitted on a pair of gates and locks one of the gates to the ground using a padlock.

Lockable dropbolt pros:

Tin be used alone, giving pedestrian access through a pair of gates (one gate can still be opened),
Can be combined with another lock such equally a padbolt, long throw lock or deadlock for more than security
Simple to fit, though a lock block may have to exist added to your gates
Fairly inexpensive to purchase
Available in a marine grade stainless steel and galvanised finishes

A lockable dropbolt can add together extra security

Lockable dropbolts tin exist constitute nether Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Shop.

Lockable dropbolt cons:

- Can merely be unlocked from the side of the gate it is fitted to
- For more than security, it needs combining with either a padbolt, long throw gate lock or deadlock
- Non available in a black or black on galv end

D&D Lokkbolt Dropbolts

In essence a Lokkbolt dropbolt does the same task every bit a lockable dropbolt, however they practise differ slightly as you don't need to add together a padlock to them – there is already a key lock built in. Available in both 18″ and 24″ lengths and supplied keyed alike – one cardinal tin open multiple Lokkbolts. Beingness a hybrid of stainless steel and moulded polymer, you will take no problems with corrosion and it can be fitted to typically acidic timbers like Oak or Accoya with no bug.

Lokkbolt dropbolt pros:

Like the lockable dropbolt, the D&D Lokkbolt can be used alone, giving pedestrian access through a pair of gates (one gate tin notwithstanding be opened),
Tin be combined with another lock such as a padbolt, long throw lock or deadlock for more security
Uncomplicated to fit, though a lock block may have to be added to your gates
No need for a padlock as the lock is built into the Lokkbolt
Can be keyed akin, this gives you the one key to open multiple Lokkbolts
Better looking than a standard lockable dropbolt
Manufacturers lifetime warranty

D&D Lokkbolt dropbolts can exist found under Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Shop.

Lokkbolt dropbolt cons:

- Can only be unlocked from the side of the gate it is fitted to
- For more security, information technology needs combining with either a padbolt, long throw gate lock or deadlock
- Equally the lock is built into the lokkbolt, if y'all lose the keys then it could be a nightmare from a security perspective
- Not the cheapest option and a standard lockable dropbolt is far more inexpensive.

Where tin can I fit a mortice sashlock/deadlock or long throw gate lock?

The longthrow locks (both versions) and deadlocks cannot exist fitted anywhere on the gates; on a framed ledged and braced gate, if you fit on a horizontal rails (or virtually the horizontal rail for a deadlock), then you lot will undermine the joint between the stile (vertical upright, main frame of gate) and horizontal rail, as the majority of the joint is cutting away to accept the locks. To maintain the integrity of the joint, information technology is always recommended that a lock block or dummy rail is fitted to have the gate lock.

Further reading – Secured by Design
Locks, Bolts & Latches in our Ironmongery Shop

Locks for Wooden Garage Doors

Locks for wooden garage doors

In the principal the locks mentioned are all suitable for side hinged wooden garage doors, however as we are also asked about locking methods for other types of doors, we accept too briefly covered this at the very terminate of the post.

Hasp & staple

This is probably the cheapest method of locking your garage doors. Piece of cake to fit and either screws of meliorate still bolts to the doors. Y'all will need to add together a padlock and in one case unlocked and the lock removed there is cypher to stop the door swinging open. If you do go downward this route and then don't go for the wire version of the hasp and staple as these are quite poorly made and not very strong, instead go for the heavy design (heavy duty).

pros:

Very economical
Easy to fit

Hasp and staple, a very basic method of locking

cons:

Not the virtually secure garage door lock
Needs a padlock
Can simply be operated from the side of the doors it is fitted to
Once unlocked and the padlock removed, no way of stopping your door swinging open