Choosing Secure Locks and Latches for Side Gates

By Adding Automation to an Existing Metal Gate
Comments 35
23 Aug 2026

Choosing Secure Locks and Latches for Side Gates

Why the side gate deserves proper attention

Most of us put serious thought into the front door: a solid lock, maybe a chain, a peephole and a porch light. The side gate, meanwhile, is often held shut by whatever latch the previous owner left behind. That's a shame, because the gate is the route intruders actually prefer. It leads to the back of the house, where sheds, bikes and tools live, and where windows and doors are often less overlooked than the front.

A gate is not just a boundary marker. It is the first barrier protecting everything behind it, and it only works if the hardware on it is at least as good as the hardware on the doors it shelters. The good news is that upgrading a gate lock is a straightforward job, and a few well-chosen pieces of ironmongery make a real difference.

Closed shackle padlocks: the first line of defence

If your gate uses a padlock, the single biggest improvement you can make is to choose a closed shackle type. On an ordinary padlock, most of the shackle is exposed, which gives bolt croppers a clear purchase. On a closed shackle padlock, the shackle sits almost entirely inside the lock body, so only a short section is visible and there is simply nothing for a cutting tool to grip.

Look for a shackle of case-hardened steel at least 10mm thick, a body that resists drilling, and a keyway with enough differs that it can't be opened with a casual jiggle. If you want reassurance, choose a padlock tested to a recognised standard and rated for outdoor use. Brass bodies cope well with coastal air; stainless steel is a good all-rounder; cheap die-cast metal will not survive a wet British winter.

When it comes to lubrication, use graphite powder or a PTFE spray rather than general-purpose oil. Oil attracts grit and turns into a sticky paste that eventually jams the mechanism.

The hasp, staple and fixings matter just as much

A superb padlock on a flimsy hasp is money wasted. The hasp and staple should be hardened steel, and the staple should closely match the padlock so the shackle is barely exposed once the gate is shut. Ideally the whole assembly should be bolted through the gate frame with coach bolts, their dome heads on the outside so nobody can simply unscrew them.

Where you can, choose a design that hides the fixings when the gate is closed. Screws driven into soft timber are the weak point on countless gates, and a crowbar will pull them out in seconds. For the neatest job, consider a padbolt or sliding bolt fitted with a shroud, so the padlock sits protected inside a steel housing rather than hanging out in the open.

Mortice latches and deadlocks for framed gates

If your gate is hung in a frame or closes against a solid post, a mortice latch or deadlock is a much tidier solution than an external padlock. The lock body is set into the stile of the gate itself, with a key-operated cylinder on the outside and a handle or thumb turn on the inside.

Five-lever mortice deadlocks are the traditional choice and are often the type insurers want to see, particularly where the gate protects access to a rear door. For metal gates, a welded lock box or a rim lock with a drill-resistant cylinder does the same job. If you have more than one secured gate or door, ask your supplier about keying them alike — carrying one key is a small thing, but it means you'll actually bother to lock up properly every time.

Hinge bolts and anti-lift protection

Here is a detail that catches out a lot of homeowners: many gates can simply be lifted off their hinges. If the hinge pins are exposed and the gap between gate and post allows it, an intruder can raise the gate clear of the hinges and walk straight in, whatever lock you've fitted.

Hinge bolts — sometimes called dog bolts or security bolts — solve this neatly. They fit into the hinge stile of the gate, top and bottom, and slide into the post or frame as the gate closes, so the gate cannot be lifted even when the hinge pins are removed. Two per gate is standard practice.

While you're looking at that side, check the bottom of the gate too. A ground socket with a locking pin, or a raised lip on the closing stile, adds another obstacle. Make sure the gate posts themselves are solid and properly set, because the strongest lock in the world is defeated by a post that moves in the wind.

Matching hardware to your gate, and keeping it working

Timber gates swell and shrink through the seasons, so leave a little clearance and check bolts aren't binding in the wet months. Metal gates need galvanised or stainless fittings, and it pays to isolate dissimilar metals to avoid corrosion at the joints. Heavier gates put more load on posts, so if yours has started to sag, sort the structure before adding more hardware.

Finally, make maintenance a habit. Oil the hinges twice a year, tighten any fixings that have worked loose, clear foliage that hides the gate from view, and replace ordinary screws with security ones wherever you can. A gate that looks well kept, with a substantial lock on show, tells anyone thinking about it that your home is not the easy option.

Security

Selecting the Best Timber for Outdoor Garden Gates

Some gates need planning consent, especially near highways or listed buildings. Check local rules carefully before installation begins.

Previous Post At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium.

Next Post Dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentiu deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores

5 Comments

Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply
- John Abraham says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
  
  I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
  Reply
  - Robert Sonnysays Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
    
    I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
    Reply
Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply

Jenny Watson

Hi! beautiful people. I`m an authtor of this blog. Read our post - stay with us

Instagram

How We Can
Help You!

Match gate style to brickwork, planting and path materials. Height and colour should feel intentional rather than an afterthought.

section heading hidden

Our Latest News

Planning Permission Rules for Driveway Gates Explained

Designing a Garden Gate That Suits Your Home

How to Stop Gate Hinges from Squeaking and Sagging

Contact Us

Article