Types of bolts and their installation

The best way to protect your site or house from uninvited guests is to install a quality bolt. This can be done even after installing gates or doors. The bolt itself is a small piece that is fairly easy to install. At the same time, the structure has one important function - reliable blocking of doors, gates or wickets. About how the bolt differs from the gate valve, what are the varieties, how to distinguish a barn bolt from a structure with an eye, flat or vertical bolts, how to install a security guarantor yourself - read further in the article.

The deadbolt is a design that has been used since the days of Ancient Egypt. Simply put, this is a large version of the valve. As a rule, it is used to block massive gates and hatches. The main components of the bolt are such elements.

1. Frame: rectangular iron profile. Sheathing sheets are attached to the frame.
2. Cloth: the same frame sheathing, which is also made of metal sheets or polycarbonate, plastic, wood panels. Sometimes the canvas can combine several types of material, for example, a profiled sheet with polycarbonate.
3. Guide beam: this is a profile pipe that is securely fixed with a slot, a channel.
4. Carriages: a type of support that is equipped with rollers. Thanks to them, the guide bar with the sash fixed on it can move, thereby providing two modes - "open" and "closed".

In addition, some models may include automation elements. This is an electric wire with a rack and pinion, which is triggered when you press the button of the remote control-key fob. Also, the latest models of automatic hidden bolt allow you to control the process using a telephone. Such a simple and at the same time effective element of protection fell in love with the following nuances.

1. Long service life. The bolt can last up to 30 years. This is due to the even distribution of weight during the operation of the mechanism.
2. Strength. Even a small structure can withstand heavy loads. As practice shows, such a simple and reliable mechanism rarely fails.
3. The size. It is possible to use the bolt in a confined space, as well as in cases where any other types of locks cannot be installed.
4. Automation. Allows you to open and close the doors to the apartment at a distance. It is convenient in bad weather and under any other circumstances. It is important to note that this feature is only available for electromechanical products.

Of the shortcomings, bolt owners often highlight the cost of installing the mechanism. In this article, we will tell you in detail how to save on installation and install the bolt yourself without any problems.

A simple type of door bolt implies a primitive structure that is attached to a sheet of a similar material. Such a mechanism will look harmoniously in the interior, and it is also quite convenient to attach it to the gate, which has a horizontal crossbar. A simple wooden bolt can be purchased or made by yourself. Often this design is replaced with a latch or a large hanging hook. Since such a model is considered one of the most common and affordable in terms of price category, it is necessary to learn about additional characteristics, advantages and disadvantages directly from the manufacturer.

This bolt design is usually installed on swing doors. Unlike the simple version, this one is made mainly of metal, forged or steel. The structure looks quite presentable, so it will fit well into the interior. The sliding bolt can be of two types: strip and round. It is most convenient to install a sliding shutter on a gate from a profile. Fastening can be carried out both by bolts and by welding. Moreover, the second option is the most common, because it is convenient in practice. It can be combined with a lock. This is done for additional protection against penetration into personal territory.

This type is usually mounted on a gate. It is convenient and reliable to use. In order for the mechanism to work harmoniously, you need to install a latch and a lever on the fence. This can be done with bolts. A metal plate with a kind of protrusion is installed on the gate. When closing, the latch will cling to the bar on the fence and securely fix in this position. Levers can be single and double-sided. The second option implies the possibility of opening the wicket from both sides.

This type of lock cannot be found in stores, it is made by hand. This happens as follows: a hole is drilled in the crossbeam, a bolt is fixed at the edge of the sash itself. In this case, the head of the bolt must be wide in order to provide reliable protection. It is also important to consider the fact that it has a heavy load. Of the shortcomings, the owners of the rotary bolt distinguish the presence of a gap that can be conspicuous.

Although a screw bolt visually will not look as aesthetically pleasing as a mortise or semi-automatic, there is no doubt about its reliability. The reason is that the mechanism is installed not on the inside, but on the front side of the gate. The device itself contains a threaded rod and a key base. Thanks to him, there is a change of positions "open-closed". Experts advise not to skimp on the screw design and purchase a model with a complex lock level, so that it would be impossible to find a key for it. Among the shortcomings, one can single out the labor-consuming process of opening and closing the bolt in comparison with other analogs.

In addition to the popular bolts, they also exist with an overhead or cap spring (160 mm, 190 mm) and automatic. If the first two names of locks speak for themselves, then automation is a more complex design. Such bolts can be used for the Smart Home system or for automatic garage doors. You can control the position of the lock from a distance using a special gadget or through an application on your phone. In addition, the system provides emergency unlocking in the event of a power outage. It is also possible to control the position manually using special handles.

The simplest devices are usually made of wood. However, metal models also began to gain popularity. If wooden options are mainly used for fences and gates, then the steel counterpart is universal in use. The main difference between a wooden bolt and a metal one is that such a structure can be made at home.

But forged products are another question. It is better to order these mechanisms from worthy craftsmen. Then the structure will work for a long time and without failures. This approach will provide reliable protection of personal territory 24 hours 7 days a week. Naturally, if we compare all possible materials with each other, then during the period of operation their properties will be very different.

So, wooden bolt is inferior to forged and steel in strength... The latter is less tolerant of moisture compared to a stainless steel mechanism. One way or another, each of the possible options has its own pros and cons that must be taken into account. However, you cannot name the best or the worst option. In this case, you need to build solely on personal preferences, desired characteristics and prices.

You can independently install a bolt of any kind on the front door - both metal and wooden. In any case, saving money and waiting time for the master is ensured. To implement the plan, you will need a minimum set of tools.

1. Screwdriver or screwdriver.
2. Roulette and level for measuring.
3. Pencil or marker for marks.

The installation itself is carried out in several simple steps. All together it will take about 10-15 minutes. So, for the installation of all types of bolts, except for the mortise bolt, you should adhere to the following instructions.

1. The first stage is marking. On the canvas where the mechanism will be installed, you need to choose the optimal place for installation and mark the boundaries of the structure with a pencil. To keep the mechanism evenly installed, it is better to use a level. Usually the bolt is placed up to 100 cm from the floor. You will need a tape measure to mark this parameter.
2. The second stage is attaching the bolt. You will need screws (wide thread). With their help, the bolt body is fixed on the surface of the door leaf.
3. The third stage is fixing the mating part. The seat must be exactly in the valve axis.

For plastic, as well as for wooden or metal doors, an invoice and mortise bolt can be used. If the overhead version can be fixed with bolts or welded with a welding machine, then for the installation of the mortise type, you must adhere to the following instructions.

1. The markup should be done in the same way as in the case of the overhead type of mechanism.
2. Next, a hole must be made at the end of the door leaf. This stage can be carried out with a drill. The diameter at the hole must match the size of the crossbar so that the part can move along the channel without problems.
3. On the back of the blade, mark the future location of the drive wing and make a hole of the appropriate size there.
4. The body and the turntable are attached to the seat. Then a hole is drilled in the frame along the diameter of the crossbar. Its gap should be 1-1.5 mm. The depth is determined depending on the protrusion of the bolt, as a rule, it is 2-3 mm.

For a wooden door, it is also necessary to install a striker, and then fix it with self-tapping screws. If the gap between the door and the frame is less than 3 mm, then it is better to drown the bar into the frame by 1-2 mm. This procedure is needed to easily slide the bolt. This is how you can quickly and free of charge install a door bolt in a matter of minutes.

Regardless of whether you need to choose a bolt for the front door to the apartment or the gate to the dacha, it is important to pay attention to several nuances. They will help you to choose the most successful option, which will not make you regret choosing until the end of the product's operational life. So, if an electric mechanism is more often used for the front door, then a spring or external one is suitable for a wicket. Such locks will become the guarantor of the safety of the yard. Some experts are sure that it is better to purchase a bolt from a store for a gate, and make it yourself for a gate.

This opinion can be explained by three reasons.

1. The design and construction of wickets, as a rule, are identical, so it will be easy to choose the right model for the standard parameters.
2. The gate valve is visible, which means that its aesthetic component plays an important role. In addition, this nuance serves as a secret component of the design.
3. Usually, a wicket is used more often, so the constipation mechanism must work accurately and efficiently, and it is not easy to make one with your own hands.

In the case of gates, it is more difficult to guess or choose. This affects their individuality. Subsequently, a discrepancy in size, material or appearance of structures can lead to difficulties at the time of installation with a subsequent period of use. Most likely, in this situation, a new bolt will be needed in the near future, which means that you will have to overpay twice.