Suggestions for lock in side gate?

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pooka

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I'm looking to replace the external side swing gate of our house with something more functional. The existing crumbling gate has a bolt and padlock which, while it works, makes it a chore to unlock the gate from the outside. We use the gate all the time to get in and out with bicycles, so when replacing the gate I want to use a lock that can be easily locked/unlocked with a key from either side (without having to reach through a hole in the gate itself). Ideally, I'd like a sash lock so that the gate can be opened from the inside without a key when it is unlocked so I've been looking at dimensions of mortice locks.

My dilemma is how to fit a mortice lock into a new side gate. If I were making the gate myself then I guess I could size it to be thick enough to take a standard external mortice lock but time constraints mean that I'll end up buying a pre-made gate instead. A quick online check found a local supplier that sells side gates of the right size and for a reasonable price, but their gates are only 22mm thick while mortice locks seems to be 20mm or more thick. I wondered about routing a recess in the gate of about 10mm deep and doing likewise to another piece of wood which I could permanently attach to the inner side of the gate to sandwich the sash lock, but I'm not sure whether that is a practical option (will I struggle to make it weather proof to protect the lock for example?).

Or is there some simple solution that I'm just not seeing here? Perhaps I am starting from the wrong place by looking at a gate to function a little like a door, and maybe I should look at some other option such as recycling an external door in place of the gate but would it stand up to truly external use? Would a fire door be a better option? I'll probably paint the gate/door anyway, so it's construction is not an issue from an aesthetic point of view as such, although I'd hope that whatever I use can take a curved top which might rule out some options perhaps.

One other factor is security of course. The side of the house is accessible via neighbouring houses so while we can't keep people out we do want to make it a challenge to force the gate open even from the inside so that a thief couldn't easily make off with our bikes. So however I'd fit the mortice lock I want to make it as protected/inaccessible as possible from either side of the gate.

I've seen houses with side gates/doors before with what appeared to be a mortice lock fitted, but I've only seen them from a distance so while I believe what I'm trying to achieve is feasible I'm really scratching my head over the best option to pursue. I'd be grateful for any suggestions/advice.
 
If you would prefer to use the ready made gate I wouldn’t hesitate to conceal a mortice lock in a wooden lock block planted on the inner face. Often done in listed buildings to provide acceptable security whilst avoiding showing a modern lock. Many early locks had wooden cases and later rim locks had pressed steel cases of much the same shape and size.

The lock itself could be whatever suits, lever or cylinder type with an escutcheon to cover the key hole. I would use PU glue to seal the wooden block to the gate as it is waterproof and flexible.

The next door neighbour has a wrought iron gate with a deadlock fitted into a diecast alloy equipment box (about 6”x4”x2”) bolted to the gate frame. It’s all painted out black and hardly noticeable but weatherproof and secure. Alluminium and iron theoretically shouldn’t be touching due to bimetallic corrosion but it’s been there 20 years and so far ok. Good painting helps and mastic on the faces that meet as assembled to prevent water sitting in the crevices.

Graham
 
Thanks a lot Graham, that's a great help. As a matter of interest, if using a wooden block to conceal the mortice lock, is it generally advisable to attach it to the gate using screws in addition to the glue, do you know, or would screws just create further waterproofing issues?
 
Specialist ironmongery suppliers make powder coated 'rim mount boxes' for fitting mortice locks to gates and the like. These bolt through the gate, much like your wooden box idea, but a bit sturdier.

The company Baddely Rose used to make these, but just went bust. I'll see if I can find another likely suspect for you.
 
Duffells of south London sell this metal box but it is only for a Chubb 3G114 deadlock. chubb locks now sold under the Union label. Tilgear do something similar but a bit 'posh'. Go to a locksmith and ask for a Gate Lock. Plenty of choices with euro cylinders and long bolts.

Have a look at Aldridge Security web site http://www.aldridgesecurity.co.uk/image ... dblank.pdf This is a trade only company but many locksmiths buy from them.

Such as: www.southernlockandsafe.co.uk

Brian
 
Thanks for all of the replies. Plenty to go on there for me, I appreciate it.
 
As a matter of interest Baddeley Rose has arisen like a phoenix and are now again trading under a slightly different name. Not sure what it is but I can probably find out if anyone wants to know.
 

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