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Choosing the right gate hardware isn’t an easy task, especially if you’re not familiar with what materials you need to look for and what style and type works best for your particular application. Curb appeal starts at the front gate, and a good latch adds not only convenience but also aesthetic value to your gate. In this guide, we’ll discuss different types of gate latches and everything you need to know about selecting one.

What Are Gate Latches?

Gate latches are locking mechanisms used to secure fence gates using metal bars and levers that are actuated to open or close the gate. Most of them don’t have a built-in locking mechanism (though some  do), but in many cases, they’re secured using a padlock.

Fence gate latches are typically made of very durable materials, such as stainless steel or zinc-plated carbon steel, but can also be made of zinc, cast iron, aluminum, and even bronze. They also come in different categories, load capacities, and types.

Types of Gate Latches

There are three main categories of gate latches: gravity latches, spring-loaded latches, and bolt gate latches. These three categories are subsequently divided into different types of gate latches, each with its unique advantages. Here are some of the most commonly used types of gate latches.

Thumb Latch

A thumb latch is a gravity latch that can be installed only on in-swinging gates. They’re always double-sided, and some of them feature a locking mechanism, while others don’t. These two-way gate locks feature a decorative plate with a thumb depressor on the street side of the gate.

When actuated, the latch arm on the inside disengages, allowing you to open the gate. When you close the gate, the latch arm hits the strike and falls into the catch on its own, known as self-latching.

Thumb latches come in various materials and finishes, including cast iron, stainless steel, bronze, aluminum, and some polymers.

Ring Latch

Ring latches fall under two categories: gravity latches and spring-loaded latches. Ring latches are two-sided gate latches; the street side of the latch features a backplate with a ring on it, while the yard side has a backplate with a ring attached to a latch arm.

The ring gate latch is actuated by turning the ring from either side, which lifts the arm out of the arm catch. Ring latches can be installed on both out-swinging gates and in-swinging ones. However, on the out-swinging applications, the latch will be positioned on the outside. Just like thumb latches, some ring latches are lockable, while others aren’t.

Level Latch

Level latches operate on pretty much the same principle as the ring latch, but instead of a ring, each side has a lever handle. In fact, lever latches pretty much mimic ring latches, but they have a lever handle instead of a ring. They’re also gravity-assisted or spring assisted and could be installed on both in- and out-swinging gates.

Bolt Latch

Bolt latches, also known as slide bolts and deadbolts, are among the oldest door hardware known to humankind. Modern bolt latches are made of a variety of materials past wrought iron and with a variety of finishes, including powder-coating, paint, and zinc-plating.

Bolt latches are typically installed on either side of the gate, but they’re usually one-sided and mounted on the inside of the gate. Some feature locks, while others don’t, and some versions are spring-loaded, self-closing latches that require some force exertion to actuate and release, such as fingertip release latches.

Bolt latches are mostly installed on single-gate doors, but some varieties also work on double gates. Depending on the size and gate latch material used, these high-quality, low-cost gate and door latches can be used in some heavy-duty applications, such as old wooden gate doors used in stables.

Industrial Gate Latches by Reid Supply

While we only covered the most widely used types of latches, it’s important to note that there are a dozen different types of latches on the market, and only a few that have the quality that a supplier like Reid can supply. If you want to learn more, visit our online store and see what kind of industrial latches and locks we can help you find. And if you have a specific product in mind, don’t hesitate to contact our team today.