6 Popular Gate Latch Types and How to Choose the Right One

Picking the right type of garden gate helps keep kids and pets in and trespassers out while adding to your home’s curb appeal. If you aren’t opting for an automatic gate opener, one aspect you might not have given much thought to is the mechanism that opens and closes your gate. There are a surprising number of gate latch types. The type of gate you have, how often and from which side it opens, how secure you want it to be, and the overall aesthetic you are going for all influence the latch type you might choose.

Whether you’re replacing a wonky lever to stop your gate swinging in the wind or budgeting for the cost of installing a new driveway gate, this guide covering six common gate latch types will help you lock in the lever with the form and function you need. 

1. Thumb Gate Latch

Thumb gate latches are perfect if you’ve got an in-swinging gate and you’re looking for an easy-to-use, inexpensive design. These latches have a traditional decorative look that fits nicely with the landscape design of a historical home. Thumb latches have a decorative handle on the street side. When you press down on the thumb of the handle, the mechanism lifts the lever arm on the other side of the door, opening the gate.  Key features of a thumb latch include:

• Double-sided design to open and close from either side of the gate

• Some models are lockable with a key

• Many decorative options to match your aesthetic taste

2. Ring Gate Latch

Another classic two-sided design, the ring latch is easy to use and install. The street side features a backplate with a ring that you turn to disengage the latch. The yard side usually also has a ring that joins to a latch arm. 

Key features of a ring latch include:

• The ability to open the gate from both sides

• A gravity or spring-loaded closure mechanism

• Can be used on in- or out-swinging gates, with the latch on the side the gate opens towards

• Lockable ring latches are possible but uncommon

3. Lever Gate Latch

A lever gate latch works the same way as a ring latch, but it doesn’t have the decorative feature of a ring on the street side. Instead, it uses a lever handle on both sides of the gate.

Key features of a lever latch include:

• A gravity or spring-loaded closure mechanism

• Can be used on in- and out-swinging gates

• Locking designs are not widely available, but you can find them

4. Bolt Gate Latch

Select a secure bolt latch if you want easy installation when building a wooden gate for your fence or if you don’t want the gate being pulled open by big gusts of wind. They use a sliding bolt that fits into a catch on the inside of the gate.

Because you can’t open the gate from the street side, it isn’t always the best option for frequently used gates that require easy access. Plus, bolt latches aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing. 

Key features of a bolt latch include:

• Clean finish on the street side as the bolt or latch is only inside the gate

• Cannot be opened from the street side without reaching over the fence

• The latch doesn’t close automatically—you need to slide the bolt over to secure the gate

• You can add a padlock to lock the gate

5. Side-Pull Gate Latch

If you want the security of a bolt latch but don't want always to close it manually, you could try a side-pull latch. It still uses a sliding bolt but is enclosed in tidy housing that allows it to close automatically. 

Key features of a side-pull latch include:

• Small and unobtrusive but not particularly stylish

• Uses a spring-loaded or magnetic mechanism to snap shut automatically

• Key-lockable models are available

6. Butterfly Latch

Also known as a two-way latch, this efficient and inexpensive option is designed for installation on a chain-link fence gate that doesn’t have the solid wood edging to drill a latch plate into. 

The design uses two interlocking metal plates that look like butterfly wings. The wings automatically lift when they touch the latch post and drop into place. You open the gate by manually lifting the wings. 

Key features of a butterfly latch include:

• Spring-loaded or self-latching mechanism

• Allows the latch to swing in both directions

• Cannot add a locking mechanism 

Other Considerations When Deciding on a Gate Latch Type

It’s not just the latch design you need to mull over when deciding how to secure your gate. The latch mechanism, material, and ease of installation are all factors worth weighing up.

Latch Mechanism

If you forget to close your gate or don’t do it properly, it can put your pets and kids at risk, compromise privacy and security, and affect the longevity of the latch and gate. Plus, a constantly slamming gate can be annoying for your neighbors, and you could end up prematurely needing to call out a local fence and gate repair professional. Unless you have a manual sliding bolt latch, most latches have a self-closing mechanism, but some are more reliable than others. Common self-closing mechanisms include:

• Gravity latches: Many thumb, ring, and lever latches operate by gravity. When the gate closes, and the latch arm hits the strike, the gate’s weight pushes the latch arm into the catch, keeping it in place. These are simple and inexpensive, but the latches have been known to ping out of place.

• Spring-loaded: These mechanisms hold a gate in place once it has snapped shut. They’re often more reliable, but they cost more than gravity latches. 

• Magnetic: These mechanisms aren’t as widely available, but a good quality magnetic latch can be an effective, durable way to snap your gate closed and keep it from swinging back open.

Material

Consider appearance, durability, and cost when selecting the material of your gate latch type. Some options include:

• Iron: Widely available, durable, economical, and traditional appearance, but can develop rust spots.

• Stainless steel: Durable, versatile, weather-resistant (it won't rust like iron), low-cost and low-maintenance. It’s ideal for a contemporary design but prone to scratches.

• Copper: Corrosion-resistant and high-end aesthetic. However, the softer metal is not as durable, and it’s not a budget-friendly option.

• Bronze: Pricey but pretty and durable. These latches develop a patina if not treated with a protective coating.

• Brass: Corrosion-resistant, highly decorative, and more economical than bronze. These latches can tarnish over time without treatment and aren’t widely available.

Gate Type

The gate design, opening style, and weight can influence the type of latch you select. For example, you’ll need a sturdier construction for heavy double or wrought iron metal gates. If you need to fix a sagging gate, a strong sliding bolt latch can help to hold it in place temporarily until you can repair it.

If you’re using a gate on a fence to enclose a swimming pool, always check the local municipal regulations. Sometimes, gate latches require specific self-closing mechanisms, and they may need to fit at a certain height to prevent young children from easily opening and closing them unsupervised. Although these regulations often apply to community pool gates rather than private pools, adhering to them can provide peace of mind.

Security

Basic, economical gate latches don’t usually come with a locking mechanism. Typically, an additional padlock is required if you want to increase your backyard’s security. This solution can be cumbersome and inconvenient if you want to lock things up every evening or when you go out to work. More advanced gate latches have a locking function. Some use built-in combination locks (ideal for multi-person households), and others require a key to unlock them. 

Ease of Installation

Even if you aren’t a DIY expert, most homeowners should be able to learn how to install a gate latch without hiring a local gate installer. Most gate latch kits come with step-by-step installation instructions, and you don’t need many tools. However, if you aren’t confident with a drill, some designs are easier to install than others. For example, a slide bolt latch is one of the easiest and quickest to fit as it is only fixed to one side of the fence.