A night latch, often referred to as a Yale lock, is a popular type of door lock. Yale is a well-known brand name, and the term is commonly used to describe this style of lock, even when the product is made by other manufacturers.

Yale-type night latch, ideal for use on timber side-hung garage doors and front doors.

Simple and quick to install, this lock is operated by key from the outside and a convenient snib turn on the inside for secure and easy locking.

• Classic styling
• Deadlocking snib
• Key operation from outside
• Knob handle on inside
• 60mm backset for standard doors
• Supplied with two keys
• Case Finish Enamelled Nickel Bronze
• Cylinder Finish Brass

How a Night Latch Works

A night latch has three main parts: the cylinder, the lock case, and the keep.

The cylinder is on the outside of the door. It holds the keyhole and pins, and it connects through the door to the lock case.

The lock case is fitted to the inside surface of the door. It contains a spring-loaded latch bolt, a release knob, and a locking snib.

The keep is fixed to the door frame. It is the part that the latch bolt fits into.

Unlike mortice locks, which are fitted inside the door, a night latch is mounted on the surface of the door and the keep is mounted on the door frame.

When the door closes, the angled edge of the latch bolt hits the angled edge of the keep. This pushes the latch bolt in, allowing the door to shut. Once the door is fully closed, the spring pushes the latch bolt back out into the keep, locking the door.

To open the door, the key is inserted into the cylinder. The shape of the key lines up the pins, allowing the key to turn. Turning the key moves the internal mechanism, pulling back the latch bolt and opening the door.

Snib Function
The snib allows you to keep the door temporarily open (“on the latch”). On some night latch locks, the snib can also be used to deadlock the door for added security at night.

Important: We recommend only using the snib to deadlock at night if this is the only lock on your door.

Recommended Additional Security
For extra protection, it’s recommended to fit a British Standard 5-lever mortice lock alongside your night latch. This combination helps make your door much more secure.