Securing Gates and Shutters: Tower Bolts, Hasp & Staple, and Padlocks Explained

Simple hardware, real security

Not every door or gate needs a full lock body. For gates, shutters, and storerooms, a lot of everyday security comes down to three simple, inexpensive fittings working together: the tower bolt, the hasp and staple, and the padlock.

Tower bolt (sliding bolt)

A tower bolt is a bolt that slides across the face of a door, gate, or window to hold it shut. It can be used on its own for basic security, or with the sliding loop passed through a padlock for a lockable hold.

• Best for: internal gates, windows, securing a door from the inside
• Works alone or with a padlock added through the bolt's loop

Hasp and staple

A hasp and staple is a hinged metal strap (the hasp) that folds down over a fixed loop (the staple) fitted to the door or frame. On its own it doesn't lock anything - its entire purpose is to give a padlock somewhere secure to pass through.

• Best for: shutters, storerooms, gates, boxes - anywhere you want to add a padlock
• Always used together with a padlock, never alone

Padlock

The portable half of the pairing. A padlock passes through a hasp and staple or a tower bolt's loop to actually lock the fitting shut. Padlocks vary in size and body strength, and it's worth matching the padlock size to the hasp and staple or bolt it will be used with.

How they work together

A typical shutter or storeroom setup uses all three: a hasp and staple (or tower bolt) fitted to the door and frame, closed over, and then locked shut with a padlock through the loop. None of the three does the whole job alone - it's the combination that gives you a securely locked gate or shutter.

Buying tip

If you're setting up security on a gate or shutter for the first time, it's simplest to bring the door or gate measurements (or the door itself, if it's portable) so the hasp and staple or tower bolt can be matched to it before adding a padlock.