Gate locks with code, panic exit or key? Different types of locks for gates

Not sure what gate locks with code or key are? Or what the difference between bolt-on locks and mortice locks is? It can be confusing as there are a few different types of gate locks depending on different categories.

Read on below as we cover:

Different types of gate locks based on installation:

Locks can be categorised in different types of installations. The material of your gate influences which of the below lock types you can use, as some of these won’t work for all gate materials. You can’t use a weld in lock on a wooden gate for example.

Note that the below categories aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive; i.e. you can have gate locks with code that bolt on or are surface fixed. So, one lock can be in a few of the below categories.

Bolt on locks

Bolt-on locks are locks that are fixed to the gate by being bolted on. They commonly require you to drill holes through the front profile of the gate through which they are installed with the supplied fixings. As shown below, they sit between the external frame of the gate and the internal bars.

Bolt-on locks are therefore mainly used on gates with a metal frame where a space can be created within the gate for the lock to be installed. If having a solid infill gate, you would need to cut a hole for the bolt-on lock to sit in which can make it more of a challenge to install the lock. The Gatemaster Superlock can be a great option for these scenarios with its slim case and removable locking bolt, meaning it can be fitted into very tight spaces. This range includes gate locks with code, key access and quick exits. See how easy it is to install in this video.

Bolt-on locks are useful for retrofitting to gates and can easily be replaced, if necessary, as most of them will use the same fixing holes.

Weldable locks

Surface-fixed locks

For a simple, yet secure solution for your garden gate you can get surface-fixed gate locks with code, which can be installed quickly on your garden gate. We recommend using a keyless combination lock for wooden gates as it is a convenient solution and easy to use too. Read more about our Gatemaster options here.

Mortice locks

A mortice lock is a lock that is installed in a cut-out slot in the gate. They can be installed on both timber and metal gates, but they require a bit more gate preparation to install for both materials.

A mortice lock is a good solution for when you want an inconspicuous gate lock but don’t want to have to weld in a lock case. But time is money, so depending on the time you want to spend on installations and preparations, you might want to consider if a quick fit bolt-on lock is more suitable!

Different types of gate locks based on functions:

In addition to the installation process, locks are categorised based on the actual lock functions they have. Which one you choose depends on the needs and usage of the gate, so read on below to get the main features of deadlocks, latching locks and locks that can do both.

Deadlocking locks

Latching locks

Combined latching and deadlocking locks

Now we get to the good part! Some locks have a combined function and is able to both latch and deadlock.

Different types of gate locks based on access:

The final grouping, we will cover today is based on the access (and sometimes exit) functions of the lock.

Gate locks with key

Gate locks with code

Locks with keypad access can either be electronic or mechanical, both of which have their benefits (you can read more about that here).

Gate locks with push pads

So, there you have it: some main categories of locks you will find and their main features.

Think we’ve forgotten to cover one? Let us know by getting in touch via email sales@gatemasterlocks.com.

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Everything you need to know about heavy-duty gate hinges

What are heavy-duty gate hinges?

Let’s start with the basics.

Heavy-duty gate hinges generally refer to a hinge that is designed to work for gates that carry a lot of weight due to their construction or size. This can be anything from a large bi-folding gate on an industrial unit or a heavy metal frame gate with wooden cladding. Both of these can weigh a lot and some hinges are simply not built to sustain this kind of loading.

That is why some hinges are labelled “heavy-duty” or “extra heavy-duty” even.

What makes a gate hinge heavy-duty?

There are many factors that can make a hinge more suitable for heavy gates and separate them from the rest of the hinges on the market. Below are some common characteristics of heavy-duty gate hinges on the market, so consider these when researching.

• Material: It might be an obvious one, but the material has to be of a certain strength. Steel and stainless steel are the most common materials as they are strong and durable.
• Construction: Due to the amount of force these hinges experience, a heavy-duty gate hinge has to be designed specially to accommodate the force of the gate. This is especially true for wide gates as the wider the gate, the more force the top hinge will experience.
• Size: It is natural that the most heavy-duty gate hinges are larger so they can hold more. But you can still find smaller hinges like universal hinges or flag hinges that are heavy-duty due to the material they are made of. So don’t let the size fool you!
• Weight limits: Heavy-duty hinges will have gone through strenuous testing cycles to establish the weight they can carry while still opening and closing the gate reliably. Understandably, despite being heavy-duty, all hinges have a limit, and, in this case, it will be a maximum weight that they can carry safely without having a negative impact on the performance and safety of the gate. Note that some hinges have this limit stated as pairs, meaning it will take two hinges to carry this weight and still function properly.
• Grease points: Maintenance is important for a large gate and the hinges are no exception. Depending on the usage level, a heavy-duty gate hinge will often require lubrication on a regular basis. Having a hinge that has built-in grease points can save you time (and a mess) when carrying out the maintenance. The built-in grease points will take the oil right to where it is needed and means you don’t have to take the hinges apart to carry out maintenance.
• Friction: With the force of a heavy gate, the hinges will experience a lot of friction when operated. Using a low friction hinge is therefore advised for heavy gates. Low friction can be achieved by using a brass bearing or a similar bearing device between other metals. Brass is known for its low friction capabilities and is commonly used to minimise resistance.
• Adjustability: This isn’t something that is necessary for a hinge to be heavy-duty, however using adjustable heavy duty gate hinges will make your life easier when installing. An adjustable hinge will make it possible to fine-tune the installation on site and have tolerance for the gap between the gate and gate post.

When should you use heavy-duty gate hinges?

Although heavy-duty gate hinges sound a treat, we don’t recommend using them on gates where it isn’t necessary. For lighter gates such as smaller garden gates, side gates or light single leaf gates, you might not need to go for heavy-duty. We do recommend you always check the capability and strength of the hinges to make sure they are suitable for your gate.

Heavy-duty gate hinges are really marketed towards larger, heavier gates that are commonly found on wide entrances or industrial areas where lorries need access for instance.

Obviously, the bigger the gate leaf is, the more weight and pressure on the hinges. If your gate is particularly heavy, you should therefore look into a heavy-duty hinge.

What types of heavy-duty gate hinges are there?

Heavy duty hinges for gates come in many shapes and sizes, and you can find a heavy-duty option for most standard hinges out there. This included bullet hinges, flag hinges, weld-on hinges, pivot hinges, the list goes on.

Check with your supplier if you can get a heavy-duty option of your preferred hinge. And always, remember to make sure the hinges you choose are suitable for the weight and size of your gate.

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Latch length: How long are the latch bolts on our bolt-on locks?

We often get asked questions regarding the latch lengths for our bolt-on locks:

• How long is it?
• How much does it throw?
• How much will it stick out?

To make an easy overview of the different measurements above, we have created this guide for our bolt-on lock ranges – the Superlock and the Select Pro range.

Below you will find a drawing outlining the different key measurements to know about latch bolts and dead bolts as well as a table overview with all the measurements for our locks.

The table is split into the lock variation as we have two sizes:

1. 10-30mm gate frames
2. 40-60mm gate frames

When checking the dimensions for your lock, please check the product code and size for the right dimensions.

Deadbolt and latch length (bolt-on locks)

The actual dimensions that the latch will protrude from the front plate of the lock are shown in the diagram and chart below.

Dimension A in the below overview shows the dead bolt/latch bolt dimensions from the front of the bolt-on lock and through the gate frame when the lock isn’t operated (resting). All our bolts are adjustable by simply twisting the bolt in or out and locking in place with the supplied allen key. In the table further down you can find the minimum and maximum parameters of the bolts based on their adjustability.

Dimension B is the latching movement. This is how much the latch retracts when the handle is operated, pulling the latch back. The latching movement enables the gate to be pushed shut as the bolt will retract as it hits the striker and then spring out into the keep or post, holding it closed.

Dimension C is then the deadlocking (extending) movement and only applies to the locks that can be deadbolted extra. When turning the key to deadlock the gate, the dead bolt will extend this much into the gate post.

Please find all the measurements in the two tables below. Note that these only apply to our bolt-on locks in the Superlock and the Select Pro ranges.

Latch lengths for 10-30mm gate frame bolt-on locks

Product		A – length, min	A – length, max	B – latching movement	C – deadlock movement
Superlock BLD		27 mm	53 mm	15 mm	15 mm
Superlock BD		15 mm	43 mm	N/A	15 mm
Superlock BDG		27 mm	53 mm	15 mm	N/A
Superlock BDGS		27 mm	53 mm	15 mm	N/A
Superlock BQK		27 mm	53 mm	15 mm	N/A
Superlock BQDG		27 mm	53 mm	15 mm	N/A
Select Pro SBD		11 mm	38 mm	N/A	30 mm
Select Pro SBLD		26 mm	54 mm	13 mm	30 mm
Select Pro SBKLLT		34 mm	62 mm	20 mm	N/A
Select Pro SBL		22 mm	54 mm	13 mm	N/A
Select Pro DGL		35 mm	65 mm	22 mm	N/A
Select Pro DGLS		35 mm	65 mm	22 mm	N/A
Select Pro SBQEDGL		35 mm	65 mm	22 mm	N/A
Select Pro SBQEKL		35 mm	65 mm	22 mm	N/A

Latch lengths for 40-60mm gate frame bolt-on locks

Product		A – length, min	A – length, max	B – latching movement	C – deadlock movement
Superlock BLD		57 mm	83 mm	15 mm	15 mm
Superlock BD		45 mm	73 mm	N/A	15 mm
Superlock BDG		58 mm	84 mm	15 mm	N/A
Superlock BDGS		58 mm	84 mm	15 mm	N/A
Superlock BQK		58 mm	84 mm	15 mm	N/A
Superlock BQDG		58 mm	84 mm	15 mm	N/A
Select Pro SBD		40 mm	68 mm	N/A	30 mm
Select Pro SBLD		58 mm	86 mm	13 mm	30 mm
Select Pro SBKLLT		68 mm	95 mm	20 mm	N/A
Select Pro SBL		60 mm	86 mm	13 mm	N/A
Select Pro DGL		68 mm	95 mm	22 mm	N/A
Select Pro DGLS		68 mm	95 mm	22 mm	N/A
Select Pro SBQEDGL		68 mm	95 mm	22 mm	N/A
Select Pro SBQEKL		68 mm	95 mm	22 mm	N/A

How to easily change the code on your keypad lock

One of the benefits of using a keypad lock is that you can easily change the code when staff changes or in case of a security breach.

Whether you’ve got one of our Select Pro or Superlock digital gate locks, you can change the code yourself.

Below we have compiled our handy instruction videos showing you exactly how to change the code on your digital lock.

Do you still have questions about how to change the keypad lock?

Give us a call on +44 (0) 1243 558 580 and our technical department will be able to guide you every step of the way.

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