Gates are essential barriers that not only act as demarcation lines between your property and the next, but also the main security asset to your property. With this said, it is therefore of paramount importance to ensure that the locks on your gate are of top-notch quality – keeping in mind that they vary greatly from those on your front door for instance. Fortunately, it should not be a daunting affair finding one as you have limited options while seeking for a quality gate lock. Let’s dive right in and have a look at the options you have in regards to gate locks.
Resources:
www.evkeys.net
gatelockslatchesandhinges.com
homedepot.com
Options for Gate Locks:
Rim Locks – as its name implies, rim locks are fixed at the edge (rim) of a wooden gate or door and even though these locks are sometimes regarded as weak and not really secure, they are quite user-friendly which makes them very popular especially on small yard gates. Expect to come across two types of rim locks at your local hardware store with the first having the option to open from either side of the gate and the other, entailing a lock and latch where you will have to twist the handle for it to grant access.
Pros
- Affordable and simple to install.
- Can be opened from either side of the gate.
- Can be fitted on a myriad design of gates and doors.
Cons
- Regarded as weak in comparison to other locks
- Not ideal for ledge and braced gates.
Padbolt – also commonly referred to as the Brenton padbolt, they are virtually the simplest to fit on a gate or even door and in fact, even DIY amateurs should find fitting these locks a walk in the park. They are attached on the front and rear parts of the gate using screws and bolts as the name aptly implies. The locks are designed to be used in conjunction with a padlock which you will have to buy separately of course. Therefore, your overall security will not only depend on the strength of your padbolt, but also the type of padlock you use on it.
Pros
- Easy to fit.
- Very affordable.
- Effective in regards to security.
- Can be easily fitted to most if not all types of gates.
Cons
- Operated from only one side of the gate where it is fitted.
Mortise deadlocks – if security lies at the top of your list of priorities, then procuring a Mortise deadlock would certainly be in your best interest. They vary slightly in regards to the lever mechanism design (from three to five levers), meaning the more levers you have on your lock, the more secure your gate is. In fact, the 5 lever Mortise lock is sometimes commonly referred to as the five lever insurance lock,’ owed to the fact that it almost guarantees total safety. It is not fitted on the front or rear parts of your gate but rather inside it meaning removing or unscrewing the Mortise lock is totally out of the question to potential intruders. Once installed, the lock can be operated from both sides given that you’ll have a keyhole on either side.
Pros:
- Most secure lock on the market.
- Can be accessed from either side of the gate.
- The locks are guaranteed.
- Can be fitted in a wide variety of both gates and doors.
Cons:
- Challenging to fit given that you’ll need to cut into the edge of your door or gate.
- Cannot be fitted just anywhere rather than the edge only.
- More expensive than other locks on the market.
Other Gate Lock Options:
Even though the above options are ideal for most types of gates, you can also choose to entail two types of locks concurrently as an additional security measure. For instance slidebolts or barrel bolts can be installed on the inside, just above or below non-locking latches meaning once you slide the barrel into the catch, the gate cannot be accessed from either side. To be on the “safe-side” it is always advisable to consult a locksmith expert before settling for any type of gate lock. Also, take time to research on the best available locks on the market to know the trending products currently before making any decision. In the end, it all boils down to your specific preferences and the type of gate you have.