Gate Locks That Stand Up to the Weather
Gates take more abuse than any door. They sit in full sun, swing in the wind, sag on their hinges and get slammed by every kid and delivery driver. A lock built for a front door rarely lasts out there.
The gates we work on
Side yard gates between houses. Wood and wrought iron front gates. Pool gates that need to close and latch on their own. Apartment pedestrian gates by the mailboxes. Courtyard gates on commercial buildings. Chain link and vinyl gates around backyards and work yards.
Each needs a different approach, mostly because of what the gate is made of and how far it moves through the year.
A wood gate in a Valley side yard can swell and shrink enough over a summer to throw a latch off by a finger width. An iron gate expands in the heat and sags on its hinges with age. Vinyl flexes. The hardware has to allow for that, or it binds in August and rattles loose in January.
Fixing the gate, then the lock
Most gate lock problems start with the gate. A post leans, a hinge loosens, the gate drops, and the latch no longer meets its keeper. Swapping the lock alone fixes nothing for long. We check the hinges, the post and the gap first, adjust what we can, and then fit the lock so it lines up.
If the post itself has rotted or the gate frame is bent, that is a job for a fence or welding contractor, and we will tell you so instead of forcing a lock onto it.
Choosing the hardware
For gates, we use locks made for outdoor use: stainless or coated finishes, sealed cylinders, and latches built for a moving gate. Options include keyed gate locks that can match your house key, keypad gate locks for family and visitors, and lockable latches that close by themselves.
For pool gates, the latch should close and lock on its own and sit high enough to keep small children out. We fit hardware made for that job and check that the gate swings shut every time. A self-closing hinge that has lost tension gets adjusted or replaced at the same visit, since a pool gate that drifts open defeats the latch.
Getting a price
Text (657) 478-8248 with your ZIP, a photo of the whole gate and a close-up of the latch side. Tell us what the gate is made of. You get a price and arrival time first.
What to send us about your gate
Common questions
Can my gate use the same key as my house?
Often, yes. Many keyed gate locks take a standard cylinder that we can key to match your front door. Tell us your door lock brand, or send a photo of your house key, and we will confirm before the visit.
My gate latch keeps missing. Is the lock broken?
Usually not. The gate has sagged or the post has moved. We adjust the hinges and reposition the keeper first. If the latch is worn after that, we replace it.
Do keypad gate locks survive the sun?
Ones built for outdoor gates handle it much better than indoor models. We recommend outdoor-rated keypads, and we mount them so the electronics get some shade when possible. Keep fresh batteries on hand, since heat shortens their life.
Do you install electric gate openers?
No. We handle the lock and latch hardware on pedestrian and yard gates. For motorized driveway gates and openers, you need a gate operator company. We are happy to fit a keyed lock on the pedestrian gate next to one.