When deciding how to secure your door, you need to carefully consider more than just the design of the latch. The latch mechanism, materials, and ease of installation are all factors worth weighing.
Latching mechanism
If you forget to close the door or close it improperly, you can put your pets and children at risk, compromise privacy and security, and affect the lifespan of the latch and door. Additionally, constant closing doors may annoy neighbors, and you may end up needing to call local fence and gate repair professionals ahead of time. Unless you use a manual sliding bolt catch, most shackles have an automatic closing mechanism, but some are more reliable than others. Common automatic shutdown mechanisms include:
Gravity latches: Many thumb latches, ring latches, and lever latches operate by gravity. When the door is closed, the latch arm hits the latch and the weight of the door pushes the latch arm against the latch, keeping it in place. These latches are simple and cheap, but the latches have been known to shift.
Spring-loaded: These devices hold the door in place after it is closed. They are generally more reliable but cost more than gravity latches.
Magnetic: These mechanisms are not widely available, but a high-quality magnetic latch can effectively and durable close your gate and prevent it from opening again.
Material
When choosing a material for your latch type, consider appearance, durability, and cost. Some options include:
Iron: widely used, durable, economical, traditional in appearance, but prone to rust spots.
Stainless Steel: Durable, versatile, weather-resistant (won't rust like iron), low cost and low maintenance. It is ideal for modern designs but is susceptible to scratches.
Copper: Corrosion-resistant, high-end appearance. However, this softer metal is less durable and less expensive.
Bronze: Expensive, but beautiful and durable. These latches will develop a patina if not applied with a protective coating.
Brass: Corrosion-resistant, highly decorative, and more economical than bronze. These latches will lose their luster over time if not treated and are therefore not popular.
