Slide Bolt Latch
Slide bolt latches are secured to one side of the door and are not two-way latches. Typically, they are installed on the inside of the gate, not the street level. This allows the homeowner to lock the gate from the inside.
To secure the gate, you simply slide the latch arm over the bolt. Some slide bolt latches lock, others do not. Either way, once the bolt is slid into place, the gate cannot be opened from the outside.
Slide lock latches can have an old-fashioned look when they are heavier styles with patina or weathered wrought iron latch materials, especially when they are forged. Otherwise, they can be modern and barely noticeable when they are small silver, stainless steel slide bolts.
Gravity Latch
Gravity latches refer to the category of gate latches and cover many different types of gate latches that use gravity-assisted latching to operate. A standard gravity gate latch has a self-locking mechanism, so it closes on its own.
These can be cheaper than spring-loaded gate latches, and they work! They are also simple to operate, so if you need to perform repairs, it may be easier than a spring-loaded gate latch.
Ring Latch
This type of gate latch is a two-sided gate latch that you can open from both sides of the gate. There will usually be a back plate with a ring on both sides of the gate, but the latch arm will only be installed on the yard side of the gate. On that side, you will have a strike plate that captures the latch mechanism and holds it in place.
The ring in a ring latch can be moved in different ways: up and down in a gravity-assisted system, or by turning a spring-loaded ring. Either way, moving the ring lifts the latch arm out to open the gate.
Ring latches can be installed on swinging gates and swinging gates. However, not all ring latches are lockable, so keep that in mind. These are often used in barns with livestock or garden gates.
Thumb Latch
Thumb latches for gate hardware are a classic choice. They are similar to interior doors or front doors, and you grab the gate latch and then push the thumb depressor down to release the latch. The way thumb latches work makes them a gravity-assisted type of GATE latch.
This type of gate latch is perfect when you are looking for an inexpensive gate latch for a swinging gate. Traditional looks feature more historic homes. And since most hardware is usually found on the street level of the home, try to match the door hardware to the rest of your home's decor!
Spring-loaded latches
A spring-loaded door latch refers to a class of door locks similar to gravity-assisted door latches. To open a spring-loaded door latch, you must apply pressure to the spring and then lift the latch arm to allow the door to open! When closed, a plunger snaps it back into place and securely locks it. If it just wiggles like a gravity-assisted latch, it won't open.
These offer additional security compared to gravity-assisted door latches, but are usually more expensive. These are often seen on wooden gate fences, say for the backyard. They can be mounted on both sides of the door.
Magnetic latches
Magnetic latches for doors use the power of magnets to hold a bolt to the latch arm. You'll see a lot of these on kitchen cabinets and garden gates. These aren't usually heavy-duty door latches, although you can find lockable versions that utilize a padlock.
This type of door latch refers to a class of door locks, so you can find them in different shapes and styles. They can be mounted on both sides of the door. Magnetic latches eliminate the need for the complicated mechanisms used by other door latches and gate locks.
Lever Latch
Lever latches have lever handles on both sides of the gate door. This type of door latch can be installed on swing doors and swing gates. Keep in mind during installation that the latch arm side will be installed on the open gate frame side.
Lever latches can be gravity assisted or spring loaded. Some grades of latches are lockable, but others may not be. They come in all shapes and sizes that you may be able to collect and are flexible for many types of uses!
