Different Types of Gate Latches


Different Types of Gate Latches

When you’re looking for a means of securing your gates, you’ll definitely want to get yourself some latches. However, you’ll have to take a lot of factors into consideration before you finally settle on one. The main factors you’d have to know about the latches include security level, the material from which they’re made, how they work and how much they’ll cost you. The one factor among this that you need to give the most thought to is how much security the gate latch gives you. The rest of the considerations should come afterwards. This way, you’ll ensure that you end up with a gate latch that’s secure and meets your goals. 

What Is A Latch?

A gate latch serves as a securing device for gates on fences or truck bed stakes. It operates using a metal bar and lever, raised to open and lowered to close. While lacking an inherent locking mechanism, it can be made secure with padlocks or alternative locking techniques.

Types Of Latches 

Here are the three main types of gate latches that you’ll need to look at:

Thumb Latches

This is a two-way latch. The thumb latch has a decorative plate on the street-side (outside) that has a thumb compressor. When the thumb depressor is pressed, the gate is allowed to open by the lifting of a latch arm that’s located on the inside of the gate. When the gate needs to be closed, the latch-arm is made to hit the strike. This, in turn, causes the strike to rise and on its own, fall into the catch since it’s a form of a gravity latch. This type of latches is often double-sided and is often installed on swinging gates only. In this category, some latches aren’t lockable but others are. 

Ring Latches

This is a gate latch that’s two-sided. It can, therefore, be operated from both the gate’s two sides. A backplate that has a ring on it is located on the gate’s street-side. The garden-side, on the other hand, has a second backplate which also has a ring on it. The difference is that the garden-side backplate ring is used for attaching to a latch-arm. The can is opened by turning the ring from either of the two sides. It does this by lifting the arm of the latch out of the catch. Depending on the specific manufacturer of the ring latch, it can either be spring-loaded or gravity-assisted. Ring latches are also suitable for installation on both out-swinging and in-swinging gates. However, on the out-swinging gates, the latch-arm side will be located on the gate’s street-side. Therefore, it’s important to remember that the installation of the gate’s latch-arm must be done on the side the gate is opening towards. A ring latch can either be lockable or not, depending on the manufacturer. 

Lever Latches

The operation of the lever latches is closely similar to that of the ring latches. However, unlike the case of the ring latches that have rings on both sides, the lever latches have lever handles. They may also be installed on both out-swinging and in-swinging gates. For out-swinging gates, however, the street-side of the gate is the one that’ll have the latch-arm. Again, it’s very vital to remember that the side that the gate opens towards is the one that must contain the latch-arm side of the gate. Like the other latches, the lever latches may be spring-loaded or gravity-assisted based on the manufacturer. They can either be unlockable or lockable. 

Securing Your Property with Crockett’s

If you’re looking at the best ways to secure your property then look no further. Crockett’s Gates is a bespoke gate creating and installing service where we bring your ideas to life. We create both softwood and hardwood gates to fit any home. 

We deal with the full and comprehensive service from imagining your idea to creating it and installing it for you. If you’re thinking of upgrading your gate get in contact with us today!