Door Bolt Guide: How To Choose The Right Bolt For Your Door

Do You Know Which Bolt You Need?

If you are looking for additional security for the doors in your home, you have several options: standard door bolts, rack bolts, deadbolts or lever action flush bolts. When considering the best option, think about the positioning of the bolt and the purpose. Do you need a bolt to hold the bottom half of a stable door in place? Additional security for your front door? A bolt for your bathroom door? Or bolts for your French doors? Read on to discover some of the options for choosing the right bolt for your door.

1. Standard Door Bolts

Standard door bolts are available as straight or cranked (necked) versions. A straight bolt is designed for fitting across surfaces that are flush, whereas a cranked (necked) bolt is necessary for sufaces that are offset. Cranked and straight bolts are surface mounted and are often used as an additional security feature for a front or back door. This type of bolt can also be used for rooms requiring privacy, such as a bedroom or bathroom and can even be a useful options for stable doors and cupboards doors. Please note that it is not advisable to fit these bolts on doors where young children can reach and potentially lock themselves in.

Standard door bolts usually have a leaf spring design, which allows the bolt to be used both horizinatally and vertically without slippage.

2. Lever Action Flush Bolts

Lever Action Flush Bolts are a useful additional security feature and are the ideal choice if you are looking for a slimline neat-fitting solution for double doors or French doors. Flush bolts can also be used on any standard timber doors, sliding doors or folding doors. The bolt is recessed into the top and bottom edge of the door and, when in the locked position, will project into the top of the door frame and the floor. Lever action flush bolts are typically used on the slave door of a pair of doors, for holding the door open or closed. The bolt is recessed either into the door edge or the door face.

Lever action flush bolt to be fitted onto double doors

3. Rack Bolts

Rack bolts are mortice fitted door security bolts. These concealed door bolts are usually fitted in pairs, with one at the top and one at the bottom of the door. In order to operate the rack bolt, a rack bolt thumb turn is also needed. The rack bolt is either operated with a key or with a thumb turn. The example below shows a rack bolt with a matching rack bolt thumb turn.

4. Deadbolts

A deadbolt is a lock that cannot be pushed back manually without operating a turning mechanism or catch - this is why they are called deadbolts, because they are unmoveable.

Deadbolts are mortice fitted locks and can be singular items or are part of a sash lock. Sash deadbolt locks are ideal for fitting with bathroom lever handles and tubular deadbolts are the best choice for fitting with a bathroom turn & release and a separate door knob & tubular latch. 3 lever sash locks and bathroom sash locks are for internal doors only. If you need a sash lock for an exterior door, a 5 lever sash lock is necessary as it provides the additional security required for an external door.

Sash deadbolts & tubular deadbolts

Hope this door bolt guide has been helpful. Join us next time when we will be giving tips and advice for the fixings needed for fitting shelf brackets to different types of walls.