Gate latch advice

eidolon · 26 Oct 2018 at 10:31

I've fitted a gate closer spring to my front gate which does a good job of closing it however if it's windy the gate blows open and bangs when it shuts.
I therefore would like to fit a latch that will engage when the gate is closed but it must be easy for the postie to open. The problem is that I have just fitted a fence running adjacent to the gate so there's no space for a normal gate latch and there's no room for a gate ring type either (I've temporarily cut the existing latch down to stop it catching on the fence.)
Is there some sort of latch which will engage when the gate is closed but just require a hard push to disengage rather than flip a lever? (but also be strong enough to resist the wind)

ping8781 · 26 Oct 2018 at 10:45

Could you use some sort of spring loaded bolt latch

https://www.absoluteindustrial.co.u...u8Z8noNU_gUTCQQMfQ43iHrJCBHijkMhoCgb8QAvD_BwE

obviously you may want something nicer looking but that sort of thing, could always fit a small metal slider plate to the fence so it doesn't gouge the panel out

topgun06 · 26 Oct 2018 at 10:48

Would something like this suit? https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk...e-roller-catch-46x32mm-stainless-steel-871829

eidolon · 26 Oct 2018 at 11:12

ping8781 said:
Could you use some sort of spring loaded bolt latch

https://www.absoluteindustrial.co.uk/trailer-supplies-c9/retaining-devices-fasteners-c17/spring-loaded-animal-bolt-zinc-plated-p21/s88?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=spring-loaded-animal-bolt-zinc-plated-12mm-diameter-1-2-inch-diameter-1-2-inch-sb4012&utm_campaign=product+listing+ads&gclid=CjwKCAjw9sreBRBAEiwARroYm_XXBZXQOWrjNLUgQBrhXlu8Z8noNU_gUTCQQMfQ43iHrJCBHijkMhoCgb8QAvD_BwE

obviously you may want something nicer looking but that sort of thing, could always fit a small metal slider plate to the fence so it doesn't gouge the panel out

How would that lock when the gate closes? I need it to auto lock when the spring pushes the gate closed otherwise the postie will just leave it unlocked and I'm back to square one.

eidolon · 26 Oct 2018 at 11:17

topgun06 said:
Would something like this suit? https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk...e-roller-catch-46x32mm-stainless-steel-871829

I considered one of those. I'm just not sure if the gate close spring would be strong enough to close it in the first place and if I adjusted it so that it did close then would it be strong enough to resist the wind?
The gate spring does a good job of pushing the gate closed but the last 10% of the closure is a bit weak. I've tried adjusting it but any tighter just makes the gate super strong and hard to open in the first place (and turns it into a bit of a hazard when it springs closed)

Burned_Alive · 26 Oct 2018 at 11:44

Might sound like an odd option, but have you thought about replacing the solid panel in the gate with something the wind could blow through? Maybe match it with the upper section?

eidolon · 26 Oct 2018 at 12:08

Burned_Alive said:
Might sound like an odd option, but have you thought about replacing the solid panel in the gate with something the wind could blow through? Maybe match it with the upper section?

It's probably a bit too much work to be honest, also I have a Ring doorbell and the motion sensor used to go crazy every time somebody walked past when I had my previous wraught iron gate. The solid wood one stops that but I just need a solution to keep it closed when it's windy.

ping8781 · 26 Oct 2018 at 14:04

eidolon said:
How would that lock when the gate closes? I need it to auto lock when the spring pushes the gate closed otherwise the postie will just leave it unlocked and I'm back to square one.

Have a small plate on the fence panel like a ramp, as the gate closes the bolt goes up the ramp and then springs out keeping it in place, then you just pull the bolt to release it

Obviously the below is not the actual thing i mean but it's the right shape

https://www.grainger.com/category/a...nd-vehicle-maintenance/ecatalog/N-cukZ1yzdxbo

Attached a small like inch square version of that, the spring bolt would ride up the ramp part as the gate closes and then ping out when it reaches the flat end, you or postie then just pull the spring bolt back to open, would work easily with your auto close spring

ping8781 · 26 Oct 2018 at 14:10

or get a piece like the half moon shape in this picture and attach to fence and keep your existing handle

https://tate-fencing.co.uk/product/mortice-gate-latch/

jonzun · 26 Oct 2018 at 14:18

Bit of a faff, but if you had the post the gate is hanging on half as thick as it is now you could add a small post to the closing side and fit the latch keep to that

ANDARIAL · 26 Oct 2018 at 15:55

Another possible option is to move the hinge post to the inside of that pillar.That would give you enough room to add a second post to the latch side
Might look a bit naff though

paintguy · 26 Oct 2018 at 16:36

It depends on how the gate is constructed but could you trim the stiles to make the gate a little narrower, allowing you to fit a post and normal gate latch on the opening side?

thezappa · 26 Oct 2018 at 17:45

Attach a small piece of wood to the fence and attach one of these (the middle of the three latches) facing the house, then the catch latch will catch on it when it closes. Actually its a smilier idea to ping8781 idea further up:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gate-Acc...Holder-Strike-Plates-Mild-Steel-/361145098855

E: possible better solution if you have the space. Attach one of these to the fence - the double sided catch in the picture - if you can find one on it's own.

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p6...UJdBqwzoQiLQBMntchPDNNODsFW9tLxBoCMyQQAvD_BwE

Kaka · 26 Oct 2018 at 19:55

Strong magnets might work?

Scott_DFT · 26 Oct 2018 at 20:25

I've got a similar layout of a gate swinging to/away from a perpendicular fence. I also added to the fence by adding screening mesh.
When replacing the latch I was also looking for an auto-lock so ended up going left-field and installed a full door latch complete with a couple of aluminium ball handles.
Doesn't need much work on the end post just a small recess with the skid plate and surround you have in your door frames in the house. Of course it's trickier on the gate side as the panel fence gate is not going to have the depth so you have to build a small holding box to hold the latch. Not sure if it would work, it's not a special outdoor latch and my little box is far from waterproof, but a good dose of WD40 and it seems to have last a good six months of regular downpours!! The only thing is that really heavy winds can pop it out the holding recess (maybe just a little too much of a gap) but I don't have spring on it either (silly I know given that the whole point is to auto-lock; going to add one shortly).

NoobCannon · 27 Oct 2018 at 10:12

Buy a bolt type lock, drill shallow hole into fence post or thru fence panell, only needs to hold it closed

eidolon · 28 Oct 2018 at 10:12

Thanks for all the advice so far. I've just ordered a Kenham gate latch as I reckon I could cut a small recess and hide it at the bottom of the fence. I've got plenty of spare panels so it's worth giving it a go for a tenner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEpnd3WzwzQ

If it doesn't work I've got plenty of choices above to try next

bushmins · 28 Oct 2018 at 13:24

I would turn it around and have the latch on the other side. Less likely to catch your fingers on the post then.

eidolon · 28 Oct 2018 at 16:15

bushmins said:
I would turn it around and have the latch on the other side. Less likely to catch your fingers on the post then.

Not sure what you mean? Turn what around?

bushmins · 28 Oct 2018 at 17:01

eidolon said:
Not sure what you mean? Turn what around?

What I'm saying is change the side it hinges. Most people will pull the top of the gate to open it. As it is now I can see it would be easy to trap fingers between the fence post and gate. Having the hinge on the other side gives you plenty of room to grip the top of the gate. It would also sort out the latch problem. Its just what I would do.