1. Thumb lock
If you have an interior door and are looking for an easy-to-use and affordable design, thumb locks are the perfect choice for you. These door locks have a traditional decorative look that is perfect for the landscaping of a historic home. The thumb lock has a decorative handle on the street side. When you press the thumb of the handle, the device lifts the lever arm on the other side of the door, opening the door. Key features of thumb deadbolts include:
Double-sided design, can be opened and closed from either side of the door
Some models can be locked with a key
Various decoration options to suit your aesthetic taste
2. Ring latch
Ring Lock is another classic double-sided design that is easy to use and install. The rear panel on the street side has a ring that rotates to release the latch. There is also usually a ring on the side of the yard that connects to the latch arm.
Key features of ring latches include:
Door can be opened from both sides
Gravity or spring closing mechanism
Can be used on doors that swing in or out with the latch on the open side of the door
Lockable ring latches are possible but uncommon
3. Lever door latch
A lever latch works the same as a ring latch, but it does not have the decorative features of a street ring latch. Instead, it uses lever handles on both sides of the door.
Key features of lever-style latches include:
Gravity or spring closing mechanism
Can be used for inside and outside opening doors
Locking designs are not widely available, but you can find them
4. Door lock
If you want ease of installation when building a wooden gate for your fence, or you don't want the door to blow open in strong winds, choose a secure latch. They use sliding latches that fit the latch on the inside of the door.
Since you can't open the gate from the street side, this isn't always the best option for common gates that require easy access. Additionally, the door locks aren't the prettiest either.
The main characteristics of latches include:
The finish on the street side is clean and tidy as the latch or catch is only on the inside of the door
Cannot be opened from the street without crossing the fence
The door latch will not close automatically - you need to slide the door latch through to secure the door
You can add a padlock to lock your door
5. Side sliding door lock
If you want the security of a deadbolt lock but don't want to always close it manually, you can try a side pull lock. It still uses a sliding latch, but is packaged in a neat box that closes automatically.
Key features of side zippers include:
Small and inconspicuous, but not particularly fashionable
Automatically closes using a spring or magnetic mechanism
Models with key lock
6. Butterfly lock
Also known as a two-way door latch, this door lock is efficient and inexpensive and is designed to be installed on chain link fence doors that do not have a solid wood edge for drilling holes into the door lock plate.
The design features two interlocking metal plates that look like butterfly wings. The wings automatically raise when they contact the latch posts and fall into place. You can open the gate by manually lifting the wings.
Key features of butterfly locks include:
Spring or self-locking mechanism
Allows the latch to swing in both directions
Unable to add locking mechanism
