Padlocks

For the Trade

Start with how the lock’s going to be used, then work back from there. If it’s handled every day, keyed alike padlocks save time across a site or a small run of gates. Combination padlocks make more sense where keys get lost or passed around. For exposed jobs, weatherproof padlocks usually earn their keep because seized locks are what come back to bite you. Heavy duty padlocks suit the jobs where cutting and levering are the concern, but you give up a bit of convenience and size. Brass padlocks are still a common general choice, though the spec changes quickly once the job needs more resistance or less maintenance.

Padlock Types and Layouts

Combination padlocks work when you do not want key control slowing things down. Keyed alike padlocks suit jobs where you are managing several locks and want one key across them.

Long shackle padlocks give you more reach through awkward hasps or thicker fixings. The trade-off is clear - the extra length is easier to attack. Closed shackle padlocks suit jobs where the shackle needs shielding.

Weatherproof padlocks fit exposed kit. Heavy duty padlocks are the better pick when cutting or levering is the main worry.

If you are working through the wider Security range, that usually narrows the job down fast.

What to Check Before You Buy

Material usually narrows the choice once size and shackle style are sorted. Brass padlocks are the common all-round pick because they handle general use well and feel less harsh in the hand. Steel padlocks make more sense where the lock will take more knocks and you want a firmer face, but they are heavier to carry and hang on the job.

Aluminium padlocks are the lighter option, so they suit kit that gets moved about. The trade-off is a less solid feel. On exposed jobs, weatherproof padlocks still matter more than material alone. If you’re buying alongside Post Boxes or Vehicle & Outdoor Security, finish and weight matter more because the lock spends its life outside.

Useful Alongside Padlocks

Once you’ve picked the padlock, the next call is what it’s fixing to and how much room you’ve got around it. A gate or hasp that leaves the shackle exposed is where long shackle padlocks or closed shackle padlocks come in. A tighter fixing usually wants the smaller body so it sits properly and doesn’t rattle.

If it’s going on an exposed run, weatherproof padlocks are the one to use. For multiple points on the same job, keyed alike padlocks keep the key ring under control, but you lose the option of separate keys.