Choosing the right gate hardware can be overwhelming. In addition to figuring out the appropriate material and design, you have to learn enough to make certain parts will work seamlessly with your gate and will install correctly on your type of gate.
What are gate Latches?
A latch is a device used to secure gates or other openings, such as fences, gates, and truck beds. Typically, it consists of a metal lever and bar arrangement where the lever has a lift to release the latch and bring it down to fasten it back.
While integrated locking features are not incorporated in these types of latches, they can be used alongside padlocks or various locking mechanisms to improve security.
Because of their intended purpose, gate latches are constructed from strong materials, which include steel, stainless steel, die-cast zinc, cast iron, bronze, and aluminum.
Available in numerous designs, these can be made for right-handed or left-handed users. The main categories of gate latches are: gravity latches, spring loaded latches, and bolt secured latches.
There are different types of gate latches, some operating from one side of the fence and others from both sides.
For performance optimization, a latch must be set with the appropriate hinges and integrated onto a fence with good design. Gate latches can be put into three design categories: spring loaded, bolt secured, and gravity latches.
Materials Used To Make Gate Latches
Different designs and materials are available for gate latches, which have their own pros and cons. Selecting the proper material for a gate latch needs to take into consideration how durable it will be.
For example, some materials might look elegant, such as cast iron, but would begin rusting after a few weeks without maintenance. It is best to examine the surrounding area’s conditions in evaluating the gate latch’s material durability.
Gate latches are mostly made of durable materials that can endure harsh weather and other elements associated with the outdoors.
They do require routine care and maintenance to maximize their lifespan. This choice also affects the latch’s style, color, and finish, defining its aesthetic value and functionality while also determining its appeal.
Stainless Steel
While aluminum and stainless steel share an industrial design, the latter triumphs in strength, durability, and weight. Stainless steel’s ability to resist warping, denting, or bending under varying temperatures or degrees of pressure also sets it apart from other materials.
For those looking for a long-lasting, sleek material, stainless steel might seem like a costly option, but it is certainly worth the investment.
Further, stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and usually retains a raw silver hue. Those needing additional protection in extremely corrosive areas, such as near saltwater bodies, can make use of the powder-coated option, which serves as an excellent barrier.
To keep the coating looking fresh, occasional touch-ups may be necessary. Stainless steel, like many gate latch materials, does require some servicing in order to prolong its lifespan.
The application of lubricating oil on a monthly basis serves this goal and assists in reducing securative damage and isolating exposure to dousing elements.
Maintenance: For maintenance purposes, stainless steel gate latches should be washed with mild dish soap and warm water. These should then be dried properly to maintain their pristine condition.
Bronze
Latching bronze on gates may also seem like an expensive option, but incredible durability is accompanied by it. These gate latches come with an appealing, hefty style that suits individuals looking for a premium appearance.
Beautiful visuals like that of bronze do shine through with age, and this material maintains such stunning characteristics for years gracefully.
Bronze does not require any form of powder coating as it is durable and does not chip easily, reducing the need for refinishing and frequent maintenance.
While bronze can develop a greenish patina, this can be prevented by adding a wax coating each year. This helps in averting tarnishing, protecting the metal, and increasing its longevity.
Maintenance: Bronze gate latches require annual waxing to protect them from patina and increase the lifespan of the gate latch.
Aluminum
Aluminum is often the go-to material for gate latches with significant rust and wear damage due to its low weight, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance in various climates and environments.
Though aluminum is more brittle than some materials, a great gate stop is advised to eliminate the strain on the latch arm that occurs due to routine use.
Excessive strain can lead to fractures over time. Aluminum gate latches are mostly available in classic silver but can also be found in custom powder coated colors. Regular maintenance, along with touch maintenance, slows down the chipping of the powder coating.
As this material is available in modern, contemporary, antique, and old world styles, aluminum is both functional and aesthetically appealing. On the whole, aluminum is considered the cheapest option for gate latches.
Brass
Although rare, using brass for gate latches works well for achieving a classic or colonial design. Gates with latches made of brass feel solid and add an excellent design element. The primary disadvantage is that brass has a tendency to tarnish with time.
With proper maintenance, the quality of brass gate latches can last a long time. Specialized brass cleaners, along with a UV protective clear coat, preserve the integrity of the latch while keeping the brass when polished.
Maintenance: Polish the brass regularly to keep it shining and preserve the integrity of the brass.
Iron
The last gate latch material to cover is iron. Iron is very common in terms of gate latch material and comes in many designs like traditional, colonial, antique, and vintage.
These latches are often wrought or cast iron, providing elegance to the design of any fence. The majority of iron latches are powder coated black to protect and add resistance to harsh environmental conditions.
This does mean that Iron may not be the best choice in highly corrosive regions like coastal areas, where sea salt might cause the iron to rust quickly. Though in optimal conditions, the iron does offer great value.
Maintenance: To keep wrought iron looking its best, it needs to be maintained on a regular basis. Start with scraping any rust stains with a piece of steel wool, and afterwards, spray some protective coating onto the surface. For further protection, wrought iron is also protected with paint.
Types Of Gate Latches
Various types of gate latches are available, including:
Gate latches come in a number of different varieties, such as the following:
Bolt Latches
This type of gate latch is made to be operated from one side only. Its operation consists of sliding a rod into a bolt that locks the gate.
Since it’s a single sided latch, it can only be opened from the inside of the fenced area. Most bolt latches require no special tools for setup and offer ease of use.
These latches can be mounted on fences that swing either inward or outward. It may also be secured by means of a padlock. In addition to being very cheap, bolt gate latches are easily installed. They also come in various materials and sizes for different needs.
Gravity Latches
Like the name implies, a gravity latch that is attached to a gate works by gravity. When the gate closes, the latch arm gets pushed beyond the strike plate and falls into the catch, locking the gate.
This is usually convenient since it can be operated independently and opened or closed without the need for assistance.
To keep the latch arm from falling on either side into the strike plate properly, gravity latches are configured to be two-sided. They are manageable from a user standpoint; however, basic models tend to be less secure.
Select a more secure option, such as a lockable one, or add a deadbolt or side bolt to restrict unauthorized use to strengthen security.
Lockable gravity latches often come with a padlock slot. Depending on the model, you can opt for a key or combination lock for gate security. These latches are built for in-swinging gates, although installation for out-swinging doors is feasible, it is more complicated.
Spring-Loaded Latches
Spring flange latches use a spring to help close the gate. They are more expensive than other types, but provide better handle action when opening or closing the gate.
These latches use a spring to apply pressure to hold the arm in place. The pressure on the spring armed.”
Spring-loaded latches are implemented with a bilateral mechanism that allows their operation from both sides of the gate. They offer various models that are lockable, ensuring that the gateway can be secured without restriction.
These latches are most commonly used on in-swinging gates, but can be modified for out-swinging applications if needed. The basic task has varying levels of difficulty, ranging from easy to difficult, depending on the manufacturer and model of the gate.
Thumb Latches
Thumb latches allow two sided operation of the gate, but they are designed for in- swinging use only. A gate can be opened by pushing a decorative plate with a thumb latch attached to the gate, and the thumb depressor on the outside lifts the latch arm at the other side.
In closing the gate, the latch arm is able to release the strike and will automatically lift the fall into the catch.
The thumb latch works, more or less, like a gravity latch. After the thumb latch has been installed, it will effortlessly drop into the catch on activation.
A number of thumb latch models can easily be mounted and provide additional security features in the form of a lock.
Ring Latches
This design of a gate latch is two-sided, which can be operated from either side of the gate. The exterior side, or the part facing the street, has a back plate with a ring, and the interior side, or the side facing the yard, has a back plate with a ring that is attached to the latch arm.
Regardless of the side, turning the ring releases the latch arm and disengages it from the catch, which allows the gate to be opened.
Ring latches tend to fall into two groups: those using gravity assist and those with spring action, depending on the maker. They are quite adaptable as they can be fitted on out-swinging and in-swinging gates.
Moreover, certain models of ring latches have the option of incorporating locks. The latch arm is fixed on the street side for out-swinging and on the inside for in-swinging gates.
Ensuring that the latch arm is mounted on the side that the gate opens toward is one requirement for proper installation.
Lever Latches
In place of rings, each latch has a handle lever. Like ring latches, lever latches perform tasks in the same manner. To do so, the lever on one side must be turned, which releases the arm from the catch and allows the gate to open.
These latches can be mounted on both out-swinging and in-swinging gates, showing versatility in their use.
It is critical that the latch arm be placed on the same side as the gate opening, because otherwise, the southpaw latch would not serve its function.
Depending on the manufacturer, lever latches can be gravity-powered or spring-loaded. Moreover, some of the lever latches have provisions for locking, while some do not.
Side-Pull Latches
Versatility and efficiency are adopted in one design within these gate latches. A spring-loaded knob that withdraws the pin from the catch controls the latching action, permitting unlocking of the latch.
These latches can be mounted both vertically and horizontally and are suitable for a range of materials used in gate fabrication.
The robust plastic body and stainless steel locking pin are mounted with a key lock and are featured on most of these latches. Their single drawback is that installation can only be done on the inward side of the gate.
T-Latches
Also known these latches as toggle-style latches, T-latches enable ease of fastening with a padlock. Like other self-closing latches, T-latches possess a straightforward mechanism.
Their construction resembles that of a gravity latch, but unlike T-latches, gravity latches do not mitigate gate sag or ground movement issues.
This design permits horizontal and vertical adjustments to an adjustable bolt and pivoting latch, which eliminates sticking or binding issues. It also includes a robust polymer housing.
Butterfly Latches
This type is recommended for use on a fence and gate that are made from chain links. Butterfly latch design is mostly made from galvanized steel and is incorporated directly onto the framework of the fence or gate.
They operate with an uncomplicated self-closing mechanism, allowing the gate to swing open in and out, without restriction. Unlike other latches, locking options are usually omitted.
Magnetic Latches
These more advanced latches are ideal for people interested in high-tech solutions. Being water and corrosion-resistant makes these latches suitable for outdoor use. They do not show any visible fasteners and lock on both sides of the gate.
With these particular latches, it is quite easy to complement their color with that of the lighting, hardware, or other outdoor features, as they are provided in a wide range of modern finishes. Moreover, these are highly secure latches.
Swimming Pool Latches
Swimming pool latches are particularly made to suit gates leading to pools. For safety reasons, these are set at a required minimum height, so they come with long shafts. In general, these latches are lockable and are designated for gates that swing outward.
Fingertip Release Latches
This type of gate latch is among the simplest to install, though it may lack robust security features. While lacking in terms of security, these latches do serve well in preventing animals from invading the garden space.
They fit best for gates that swing both ways and have a self-latching mechanism. With fingertip release, these latches are spring loaded which means that the latch arm will fall into position on its own.
Stake Bed Latches
This type of latch is used with stake bed trucks, trailers, and gates that have a flat surface design. Stake Bed Latches can be left handed or right handed. Furthermore, these latches can be finished in an array of colors.
Generally, Stake Bed Latches are placed on both sides of each wooden fence picket with two latches on each side. Each picket has one bolt attached to one edge and a latch that is mounted on the opposite edge of the adjacent picket.
On stake bed trucks, stake bed latches perform two primary functions. First, they maintain the alignment and proper locking of sections that make up the truck bed, enabling it to operate as a singular unit. This is unlike standard gate latches that merely lock and unlock gates.
Second, Stake latches secure the gates of stake bed trucks, which is important during the transportation of livestock and to ensure equipment does not fall off the truck bed.
Apart from securing the truck bed, the stake bed latches also lock the corners of the pickets and thus reinforce their stability. This holds true for slack involving side pickets as well.
Usage of stake bed latches helps reinforce the side pickets, which is practically beneficial. It allows for easy placement and removal of the pickets.
How Does a Gate Latch Work?
A gate latch uses a technique that both secures and allows a gate to be opened and closed freely. Latches are generally equipped with a ring or a lever positioned on a side of the gate, which, when actuated, will enable a latch arm to disengage from the catch it is secured to.
This catch is designed to enable the latch arm to pivot while holding the arm in place when the gate is closed, thus preventing it from moving in any other direction.
More basic descriptions of the different types of latches include:
Ring Latches: These are unique in that they possess a back plate on both sides of the gate, along with a ring affixed to both. The back plate will contain the ring that is attached to the latch arm, which moves to pull down and disengage the arm from the socket that holds it.
Lever Latches: These latches work the same way as ring ones, but instead of the ring, they use a lever handle. Using the lever, the catch is released, and the latch arm is free.
Gravity Latches: Also designed with self closing hinges, they are tip called fingertip release latches because they are designed to lock in place whenever the gate is moved. The weight of the gate is useful in pulling the latch arm down. As soon as the latch is lifted with a finger, the gate is immediately freed to swing open.
Thumb Latches: These are the most basic types of latches, and they permit the gate to open by having a part that engages with a striker on the gate post that is also operated with a thumb.
Applications of Gate Latches
- They allow the controlled opening and closing of gates.
- They provide an additional layer of security on gates.
- They are placed on home gates.
- They are placed on commercial gates, too.
- They are placed on the gates of stables.
- They are placed on the gates of farms.
Benefits of Gate Latches
Easy Installation and Adjustment
The installation of gate latches does not require advanced technical skills since they do not need welding or special tools.
Gates can also get misaligned over time due to the settling of the ground on which the fence is mounted. Chain link fence gate latches are adjustable both during and after installation, which is helpful in this case.
Highly Durable
The materials, polished stainless steel and advanced engineering polymers, create gate latches from stainless steel.
These items are built to withstand severe weather and guarantee performance over a long time, which makes them incredibly durable.
A lot of hinges also come with a lifetime warranty, so any concerns regarding potential future problems can be taken care of.
Customizable Designs
Gate latches come in multiple types and styles to meet varied requirements. They are also offered for different kinds of fences like chain link, metal, vinyl, and wood.
Furthermore, some models fit out-swing, in-swing, left-handed, and right-handed gates. These latches are constructed to serve both residential and commercial properties at affordable rates.