Door Bolts
Traditional barrel bolts, discreet flush bolts and decorative surface bolts give you several ways to hold a door closed. Our range includes classic brass tones, black, chrome and nickel finishes, with simple shapes for modern doors and more ornate designs for period homes. Choose the fitting position first, then find a finish that works with your handles.
Surface-mounted or recessed door bolts?
Barrel bolts sit on the face of the door. Their sliding rod moves into a keeper, the fitting that receives the bolt on the frame. They are a useful starting point when you want an accessible bolt without recessing its body into the door.
Traditional lever-action flush bolts are recessed into the edge of the first-closing door on a pair of French doors. They are hidden when the doors are closed. A reverse barrel bolt is recessed into the face instead, so its position and cut-out differ from an edge-mounted flush bolt. Some keyed bolts also use the name “flush bolt” but mount on the surface, so use the fitting details as well as the name.
If the door sits behind a projecting frame or rebate, an offset barrel bolt may suit. Its bent rod changes the alignment between the bolt and keeper. Compare the offset and keeper position with your door before choosing.
Choosing bolts for French doors
The first-closing, or passive, door is usually secured with a bolt at the top and another at the bottom. The other door then closes against it and uses its own latch or lock. This keeps the passive door in place while allowing you to open both doors when needed.
For overlapping, rebated doors, ask your installer to confirm the available edge width and recess before ordering. A flush bolt needs a cut-out; a face-mounted bolt is an alternative when you prefer to avoid that type of recess.
Get the size and finish right
Measure the space for the bolt body and keeper, along with any existing fixing holes or recess. Bolt length describes the fitting, while throw length tells you how far the rod moves. The rod must reach the keeper correctly, so overall length alone does not establish a fit.
Warm brass and antique finishes suit detailed timber doors beautifully; black gives a stronger contrast, while chrome and nickel offer silver-toned options. Coordinate with your door handles by colour and sheen. Finish names vary between brands, and our team can help you find a close visual match.
Door bolt FAQs
The same length is a starting point, but the body width, fixing-hole positions, rod alignment and keeper can differ. For a recessed bolt, compare the depth and shape of the cut-out too. Photos of the old bolt and its measurements help us narrow down a replacement.
Some offset barrel bolts do not retain the rod in its extended position, so they are better suited to pointing downwards or sideways. Choose a design specifically suitable for the intended direction rather than assuming any bolt can be fitted at the top of a door.
Many bolts include a keeper and matching screws, but the keeper supplied may not suit every frame. Read the selected fitting's inclusions and keeper shape; alternative keepers may be available separately. Your installer can confirm suitable fixings for the surface.
Choose a bolt with a material, finish and stated use suited to that location. Exposure to rain or coastal conditions matters, and a decorative finish alone does not establish outdoor suitability. Contact our team with a photo of the door or gate and the finish you would like for help narrowing the options.
