Are you concerned that someone will break into your barn and steal all the expensive equipment you bought? It’s a real fear, but fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself.
Sliding Barn doors usually don’t come with a locking mechanism. But you don’t need to worry about installing it on your barn door. We have added different types and easiest methods to lock barn doors for you.
Sliding barn doors are a beautiful way to add style and functionality to your home. Door frames of sliding barn locks make it a beautiful addition to your home.
Locking your sliding barn door is a straightforward process, but knowing the correct way is essential. This blog post will give you a step-by-step process for locking a sliding barn door.
7 Different Types of Barn Door Locks
Before we show you how to install the barn locks, let’s quickly discuss the types of barn door locks you can use.
1. Hook and Eye Latch
Hook and Eye latches are sturdy and suitable for barn doors. The mechanism is simple; a curvy hook fits into a rounded latch and secures the door. The interior door lock helps you lock a sliding barn door from both sides.
Furthermore, they are reliable and secure doors to the door or wall. Sometimes, you can also use them as door to door. Remember the locks you mostly see on the bi-folding doors; these are hook and eye latch locks.
2. Sliding Door Track Locks
Track locks or sliders are a quick and easy solution for securing your home and barn doors. The locks have a simple mechanism, and they serve the purpose well.
You can install these with no drilling required – making them perfect if you have limited time on hand but need protection fast from intruders.
Usually, these locks are securely mounted or fixed on the sliding door’s rail. You can also use them on sliding windows. Unlike others, these locks keep the door locked in a ventilating position.
Mount it onto the track via a thumbscrew to secure and protect your sliding door. However, it is worth mentioning that these are the essential locks out there. Hence, don’t expect high-level security from them as you will get from other auxiliary locks.
Lastly, you can comfortably use track locks on both the upper and lower rails/tracks.
3. Surface-Mounted Slide Bolt
Another popular type of lock for barn doors is the surface-mounted slide bolt. It’s effortless to install and has an intuitive working mechanism – which means you won’t spend hours figuring out how it works.
The lock’s installation is simple and done through an attachment to the door jamb. After attaching it, a slot will be created that you use for the bolt. Just push the lever to extend the bolt if you want to lock the door.
4. Teardrop Latch
Teardrop latches are a perfect choice for barn doors. Teardrop latch locks have two pieces. One is installed into the jamb or into the wall. While the other triangular component is attached to the door’s panel. Strike plate is also involved in the installation. It is a metal plate with a hole.
The privacy lock of a teardrop sliding door latch is perfectly designed for an interior space with a sliding door. Privacy lock is an ideal barn door latch for small spaces where a sliding door is present.
Like others, these latches are also one-sided and feature a simple working mechanism of locking a door without a lock. This is one of the best barn door hardware.
5. Keyed Lock and a Latch
If you are more concerned about your barn door’s security, we will advise you to use the keyed locks with a latch as they allow you to use the lock from the door’s both sides.
Moreover, the locks have multiple designs, which are the market’s most aesthetically pleasing barn door locks. Besides, they have a key lock that you can use from the outside while a latch keeps the door secure from the inside.
6. Two-Bolt Sliding Door Locks
Two-bolt locks are the most versatile out there. These are ideal for sliding doors, and installing them is a breeze even for new users.
7. Cane Floor Bolt
Cane floor bolts are traditional ones, and they are more common than the others. Despite not many know that these are also ideal for locking sliding barn doors. The working mechanism is similar to a barrel slide bolt lock.
The significant difference is that the catch plate is fitted into the ground instead of the door or its panel—the barrel functions vertically, downwards when you move it into a locked position. However, you can only unlock or lock a cane floor bolt from a single side.
3 Ways to Lock A Sliding Door Barn
1. 90 Degree Flip Latch
If you are looking for a reliable sliding barn door latch or lock for one-sided sliding barn doors, then 90-degree door latches are ideal and secure. Furthermore, these are more suitable to use inside a room.
Besides, the latch works both ways, and you can fit it on the left or right side of the sliding door.
Additionally, most latches come with the required hardware that you will need for quick and straightforward installation. However, for the best results, we will recommend professional installation. Lastly, If you fit them by yourself, remember to gauge the door’s thickness as it’s essential.
2. Use a Single Cylinder Rim Lock
These locks on the barn door are only simple to install by ordinary households if they are used for DIY tasks. Furthermore, the installation is time-consuming and a bit trickier. But its security is reliable, and the lock itself is highly durable.
Like other locks for sliding barn doors, these locks are also fitted with latches and hooks but from the outside of the door. You can effortlessly lock it using a key from the outside and twist it with your fingers to unlock or close the door when you’re inside.
Using a bottom guide is highly recommended to prevent the door from swinging back. It’s just for the barn door security.
3. Use a Hasp and Padlock
The most secure and inexpensive way is to lock a sliding barn door through the hasp and padlocks. When installing this lock, ensure it remains flat and has no gaps. Moreover, the safety is also suitable for double sliding barn doors.
Usually, these locks are made from heavy-duty stainless steel and have compact dimensions. However, this also depends on the lock’s model and brand. Installing the lock is simple; attach one half to the door’s centre to align the holes of the latches. Then put the padlock through the holes to lock the door.
How to Install Lock?
- Installing a barn door lock is similar to installing a conventional lock. The first thing is whether you are installing the safety for the first time or you already have a lock on the barn door. If you already have a lock, add the new lock and fasten it using the screws. If that’s not the case, continue reading.
Another vital point is that the installation process is changed for all locks and differs from brand to brand. Next, note down or measure the clearance space that you will need for your door to slide comfortably over its rail or track.
- Similarly, ensure that you have sufficient space on the door’s frame, as the more significant part of the lock will be fitted on the door jamb.
- Depending on the sliding door lock, you will have to drill into your barn door to fit the lock. However, this does not apply to all locks, such as the hook and eye style lock that you can fit with screws on your barn door.
- You will have to make a hole in the ground for some locks, such as a cane bolt floor lock. However, almost all sliding locks for barn doors come with a hardware kit and detailed instructions that show you how to install the lock correctly.
Here is a video tutorial to install a sliding barn door:
The general points to keep in mind when installing a lock on your barn door are given below as they will further clarify the matter:
- The Door Gap—Ensure that there is no gap between the door’s panel and the wall or lock. If you see an opening, attach a piece of wood where you will fit the jamb or hardware. Similarly, remember the exact thickness of the door and match it with the frame, panel, wall, and door jamb’s depth.
- Consider Using a Blocking Bar—Ensure that there is no gap between the door’s panel and the wall or lock. If you see an opening, attach a piece of wood where you will fit the jamb or hardware. Similarly, remember the exact thickness of the door and match it with the frame, panel, wall, and door jamb’s depth.
- Lock Placement Is Crucial—According to the experts, you need to place the lock between 34-48 inches above the ground. However, check the packing or maker’s instructions to know the exact range.
- Mark and Measure before drilling—As with any other technical installation, ensure to measure and mark the points before drilling the holes.
Lock A Sliding Barn Door FAQs
How Do You Put a Lock On a Barn Door?
Remember that only some barn door locks are identical; some are only suitable to use from the inside, while some work from both sides. The best thing about barn door locks is that almost all of them come with required latches and hardware kits, and usually, their installation is simple.
How To Lock My Sliding Door Without A Lock?
If you have elderly mobility issues in your home, you can consider the Armour Latch for your sliding door.
We recommend using a track lock if you want to leave the door open for ventilation. If you have a limited budget, go with the wooden dowel or a simple slider lock.
How Can I Make My Sliding Door More Secure?
• Ever Heard of Blocking Bars?
Just put a solid metal or wooden bar alongside your door’s bottom rail. Ensure that the bar is sturdy and long enough to allow a minimal opening, if and when needed.
• You can use a Security Pin.
To prevent thieves and unknowns from removing your sliding door from the rails, use a security pin. To do so, keep the door closed, and make a hole through the door’s frame that slides into the stationary door. Then, put a hardened pin, preferably a steel pin, to hold the doors together.
• Install an Alarm System
Apart from the above-mentioned hacks, you can think of installing a home security system. However, this will cost you some extra bucks, but it is the most reliable solution from a security perspective.
If you have a glass sliding door, you can consider using glass break sensors.
How to lock a sliding barn door from the outside?
• Keyless Entry
• Door Lock with a key
Keyless entry is a reliable option and offers high security. It is perfect for large families whose houses are integrated with smart technologies. The second one is the most common locking mechanism. You need a key and a door lock. It is a perfect option for barn doors, as you can use it from both sides.
Can sliding barn doors be locked ?
How To Lock A Sliding Barn Door From Inside?
• 90 degrees flip latch
• Hook and Eye latch
• Cane floor belt
• Teardrop latch
• Pocket door lock with pull
Wrapping it Up
We all want to protect our most valuable possessions, and it’s good to know that we have done the best job possible. If you reside in a deserted area where theft and burglaries are common, or if you happen to be someone who is extra protective of your property.
Then installing a lock on your sliding barn door might be worth considering. And if you don’t know how to lock a sliding barn door, above, we have outlined the practical and effective methods for you.