The world of bolts and latches can be pretty bewildering to someone who isn’t in the know. It can be difficult to know what exactly it is you need, and it’s easy to get carried along by sales talk in a shop and come away with the wrong thing because you can’t articulate what you want. Don’t worry – you’re not the only one who feels like this. If you’re looking for a security solution, read on for a quick overview of some of the most common types of bolt and latch and what they’re for.
Barrel bolts/ Tower bolts
Barrel bolts are small, multi-purpose bolts which are used for a variety of reasons. Tower bolts are the larger equivalent. Both can be installed vertically and horizontally. These are commonly found on gates to keep out unwanted guests.
Internal door bolts
These are used inside and tend to be decorative as well as useful. This sort of bolt is useful for a bedroom or bathroom door when you want some extra privacy, or for an office door when you want to work without distractions from your family. Brass is one of the most popular materials for one of these bolts.
Brenton Padlock bolts
This type of bolt tends to be used outdoors on gates and garden sheds. They can be used alone or with the addition of a padlock if you want some extra protection for your property or the items stored in your shed. These tend to come in galvanised metal, but can come in other colours.
Suffolk latch
A Suffolk latch is used for garden gates, and they come in a range of attractive decorative styles. They work well with any gate style, from wrought iron to wooden, and are a reliable security solution for outdoor gates which don’t require a padlock.
Auto Gate latch
These are usually used outside on garden gates, and provide a way for a gate to be shut securely without remembering to actively use a latch. For example, when children pull a gate shut, they don’t have to remember to reach up to secure it themselves. These also come in heavy duty versions for extra security.
Ring Gate latch
These are an attractive way to open and close garden gates, with their aesthetically pleasing ring handle design. These work similarly to the Suffolk latches, but with a bit of a twist in their appearance.
Frank Peters is a DIY enthusiast who regularly blogs about his many home improvement projects
