Gate locks are your first line of defense.

Would be thieves don’t want to make a scene at your front door.  They want to sneak around to the back of your house, through your gate and into the basement or patio door.  By the time they reach the back door; they are committed.  They know that they may have crossed that threshold of no return and may now attempt to forcible enter your home.

What was the threshold of no return?  It was that moment where the thief went from simply being nosey to taking action to open the gate to your back yard.  What if that thief would have went to open that gate and it was locked?  Most privacy fence gates are not locked and those that are locked use a simple padlock that may be easily cut with a box store bolt cutter.

Home owners may not have walked through this same scenario in their minds; thinking we only want a privacy fence to keep our kids and pets in the backyard.  In addition, they may not know the wide variety of options beyond the standard inexpensive lock that requires a padlock and is only accessible from one side.  American Fence Company recommends several inexpensive options.

• Lokklatch offers a wide variety of keyed both sides locks that can be installed by your fence professional.  These are a great option considering access from both sides and a keyed entry.
• Simplex offers a touchpad combination lock that is accessible from both sides.  When you do not want one more key to carry with you; you will appreciate this series of gate locks.
• Lockey offers a very inexpensive single sided combination lock.  This is a great lock when you do not require access from both sides.
• D & D Technologies offers a magnetic pool latch that is accessible from both sides and elevates the lock latch so that small children cannot access the lock.

All of these lock manufactures offer a wide variety of user friendly gate locking devices.  What is more important is that you know the importance of a good gate latch and lock.  Home owners will spend hundreds of dollars for door locks throughout their home but don’t give enough thought to that first line of defense: your privacy gate lock.  For more information about gates and gate locks, please visit our America’s Gate Company website at http://www.americasgatecompany.com.