Gates, Sheds & Padlocks

Sheds, gates and outbuildings hold a surprising amount of value — tools, bikes, mowers, equipment — and they are often the easiest target on a property. Securing them well is less about spending more and more about choosing the right grade of lock and fixing it to something that can’t simply be ripped off.

Choosing the right padlock grade

Quality padlocks are graded by the CEN / BS EN 12320 scale (1 to 6) and by Sold Secure (Bronze, Silver, Gold). As a practical guide:

CEN 3 / Sold Secure Bronze — sheds, toolboxes and lower-risk storage.
CEN 4 / Sold Secure Silver — gates, garages and bikes.
CEN 5 / Sold Secure Gold — high-value tools, machinery and vehicles.

Most insurers will accept a CEN 3 or higher, a 5-lever or closed-shackle padlock, or a Sold Secure rating — but always check your own policy, because the wording varies. We fit to the grade you actually need rather than over- or under-specifying.

Closed shackle beats grade alone

One detail matters as much as the grade: a closed-shackle or discus padlock hides the shackle so bolt croppers have nothing to bite. For exposed gates and outbuildings, a closed-shackle lock is often a better real-world choice than a higher-graded open-shackle one, and many insurers prefer them.

The weak link is usually the hasp, not the lock

A strong padlock on a flimsy hasp, or screwed to a tired shed door, gives a false sense of security — the fixing fails long before the lock does. We fit hardened hasps and staples with concealed or coach-bolt fixings that can’t simply be unscrewed, and reinforce the door and frame so the whole assembly is as strong as the lock.

Gates, sheds and outbuildings

Gates: timber and metal gate mortice locks, bullet locks, long-throw locks for tall or secure gates, and weatherproof padlock-and-hasp setups. We can free off and service seized gate locks too.
Sheds & outbuildings: 3- and 5-lever or horizontal mortice locks, a graded padlock on a hardened hasp, and hinge bolts so the door can’t simply be lifted off its hinges — a step many sheds miss entirely.

We match the hardware to the risk and to the weather, using trusted brands and weatherproof or marine-grade locks for exposed positions.

Frequently asked questions

What padlock does my insurer want for my shed?

Often a CEN 3 / Sold Secure Bronze, 5-lever or closed-shackle padlock for a shed, and a CEN 4 / Silver for a gate or garage. Wording varies, so check your policy. We fit to the exact grade you need.

My shed door only has a cheap hasp — is that enough?

Usually not. The hasp and its fixings are normally the weak point, not the padlock. We fit a hardened hasp with concealed or coach-bolt fixings that can't be unscrewed, and reinforce the door so the lock can't be bypassed.

Can you free off or replace a seized gate lock?

Often yes. We service, lubricate or replace gate locks, and fit long-throw and weatherproof locks for tall or exposed gates so they keep working through the seasons.