I DIYed myself some invisible gate latches 14 years ago and those invisible, magnetic gate latches are still working perfectly. Here's how to do your own.
At the time I was looking for a discreet gate latch. All I could find were big, honking latches that looked like they belonged on the gate of a medieval castle. I do not live in a medieval castle or a country barn so I wasn't too enamoured with the offerings.
I wanted sleek, discreet and cheap but I couldn't find any of those options so I ended up making my own gate latches.
For gate handles I used wood cupboard handles from Ikea because they were cheap and sleek.
Now I had to come up with a way to keep the gate closed because I am not a "come on in" kindda person - I'm a "stay away" I'm in my p'jamas lipsynching to Beastie Boys in the backyard at 2 in the afternoon kind of person.
Rare earth magnets were the answer.
These have worked so well for me that I used them again for the doors of my modern chicken coop. You can get the same Rare Earth magnet sets I used here on Amazon or from Lee Valley Tools.
Table of Contents
Installing a Magnetic Latch
Materials
- Drill
- Forstner Drill Bit
- Rare earth magnet set
- Scraps of wood
A Forstner Drill Bit
(In the same size as the magnet you have)
A Forstner drill bit will drill a cup with a flat bottom into wood. Don't worry if you don't have this type of bit. Neither did I. You do need one for this project but they aren't a speciality thing. You can get one from any local hardware store or you can buy a kit with 8 sizes on Amazon.
Rare Earth Magnets
Magnet, cup and washer set. (I used a 1" set)
The magnetic cup holds the magnet in place, while the washer is what is used opposite the magnet to attract it and hold the gate closed.
Installing a Rare Earth Magnet
- Cut the scraps of wood to the size you need depending on the width of your magnets. I cut my scraps to 5 inches long X 2 inches wide. The depth of the wood is ⅝ths of an inch.
- Drill your cup hole over to one side of the piece of wood. Not too close to the edge that it might splinter and break. - to make this easier mark the depth of your magnet cup onto the drill bit with a Sharpie.
- Drop the magnet cup into the hole and screw it in place.
- Slide your magnet into the cup being careful not to pinch your fingers.
REMINDER - Watch your fingers ... these magnets are strong and they bite.
Now you have to head outside with your drill, your block of wood and your washer.
5. Screw the block of wood with the magnet on it to your fence (not the gate) aligning it with the top of your gate.
6. Now screw the washer to the actual gate. Line it up so it aligns with the Rare Earth Magnet. I actually set mine off to the side a bit, so only ¾'s of the washer is touching the magnet. I did this because the magnets are so strong I couldn't even open it with the magnets at full contact.
When the gate is closed, from the outside it'll look like this. You'll see the little block of wood.
And from the other side it'll look like this. Completely invisible.
If you have an arbour, or some other weirdness with your fence, you may have to play around with this general technique to get it to work for you. For instance, on one gate in my backyard, I had to use a block of wood as opposed to a strip because of the way the structure was. No big whoop. Adapt and overcome.
The basics are the same. Screw a cup hole into a block of wood as opposed to a strip of wood and attach that to your fence.
Again, the reason for all of this (which seems like a lot of work but really isn't) is so you don't have to have ugly gate latches ruining your nice fence. Big hideous bolts and medieval looking handles that would imply a fair maiden lives here.
As an added bonus, you can push your gate open and kick it closed with your foot if you're carrying stuff and both your hands are full.
An Invisible Magnetic Gate Latch.
Make a sleek gate by using modern cupboard handles and this almost invisible magnetic gate latch.
Materials
- Rare Earth Magnets, magnet, cup and washer set. (I used a 1″ set)
- Scraps of wood that match your fence.
Tools
- Drill
- Forstner Drill bit (in the same size of magnet you have)
Instructions
- Cut the scraps of wood to the size you need depending on the width of your magnets. I cut my scraps to 5 inches long X 2 inches wide. The depth of the wood is ⅝ths of an inch. This is to accommodate 1" magnets.
- Drill your cup hole. Place it towards the edge of the wood not in the centre. To make it easier to know how deep to drill, mark the depth of your magnet cup onto the drill bit with a Sharpie.
- Drop the magnet cup into the hole and screw it in place.
- Slide your magnet into the cup being careful not to pinch your fingers.
- Screw the block of wood with the magnet on it to your fence (not the gate) aligning it with the top of your gate.
- Now screw the washer to the actual gate. Line it up so it aligns with the Rare Earth Magnet. I actually set mine off to the side a bit, so only ¾’s of the washer is touching the magnet. I did this because the magnets are so strong I couldn’t even open it with the magnets at full contact.
- Test the gate and if it holds, you're done!
Worried about the kids getting out? Don't. It'll do them some good to wander out into the big, bad world. Builds character. Plus it'll give you a break for that half hour before you panic and realize they're gone.
Oh, you like the kids?? O.K. Sorry. You still don't need to worry about the kids. The magnets are actually so strong that young kids can't push or pull the gates open. Sometimes Betty has trouble pushing or pulling the gate open. Which is fine by me. She doesn't need to see me dancing to Beastie Boys in my p'jamas.
Not for free anyway. I could charge for that kind of high level entertainment.
Karen... as on option, one could put the block of wood with the magnets on the inside attached to the gate. It would work the same, but the block would swing away from you as the gate opened. I can see why you chose to mount it on the outside... so that it would look clean from the inside. I'm in a condo, so I don't have that option... but thank you for the solution.
You're welcome Bob! (and yes .. I wanted the inside of the fence to be clean looking) ~ karen!
I'm in a wheelchair and have been looking for an easy gate latch. This seems perfect
Like Garrett above I'm worried about rust and corrosion. I read elsewhere that rare earth magnets shouldn't be used outdoors. But if you've had yours up for 4+ years...
Thanks.
Hi Daniel - There's absolutely no rust or corrosion. None! The only thing you have to worry about is the magnets being too strong. I eventually had to off set mine a bit because it was WAY too hard to open the gate. Good luck! ~ karen!
karen
i am looking to do the same with newly installed gates, but was wondering if you have had any rust issues with the magnets being exposed to the elements?
How do you keep the attractor washer from pulling the magnet out the cup? It seems like the strength of the connection to the cup would be no different than the strength of connection to the attractor. Thanks, and great idea!
I can't explain it Ben ... all I can tell you is they work. And they work perfectly! :) ~ karen
I've been thinking about doing this with the bedroom doors in my apt. none of them have locks anyway. The hardware on the latches is really old and cool, but also old and not working very well. I'm thinking I'll just tape down the latch and use magnets.
Is there any reason you put the magnet towards the top of the gate? I would have put it closer to the handle to avoid stressing the door as it gets older.
either way, really great!
Hi John - Yes, the reason the magnets are where they are is it was the only place to attach them on the gates. It's difficult to describe why, but that's the reason. :) ~ karen
Can i please ask you what kind of wood did you use for the slats on the fence and gate and what are the dimensions.....i am currently starting my own diy fence project...thank you in advance
Todd - The wood is pressure treated wood which probably makes it spruce, pine or fir (but pressure treated). It's basic fencing lumber that's 6" x 1" (that therefore actually measures 5 1/4" x 1/2". Good luck. ~ karen!
What magnet pull rating do you recommend, which would allow children to open it, but not dogs wandering the streets? Here in the UK I can get magnets rated at around 10 pounds, 20 pounds, 40 pounds.
Love your blog. Found it searching for a solution to adding a latch to a metal gate on our front porch. I have a bunch of pre drilled rare earth magnets and am always looking for a way to use them. They are one half inch which will be perfect for our little front porch gate. Thanks for the great solution.
You're welcome Bilby. Mine are still going strong after several years. I was a bit worried about the fence posts etc. shifting, but it's worked out perfectly. ~ karen!
Thank you so much for posting this!! We just put up a fence and could not find a latch we liked or that was going to keep the fence looking how we wanted so we are trying this! I will post pics on my pintrest when we are done@
Hi Marisa - Yup ... that's why I came up with the idea. Latches seem to be fantastically ugly nowadays. :) Good luck. It works great! ~ karen
Since I fell in love with your fence at first sight, I really enjoyed this post. Horizontal fences are kind of the new trend here, but most people won't take the time or spend the money. You are right about how everyone talks about them. I'm reading this two years after you posted it, but I have some comments. I'm going to use this method for my back gate. The magnets are so strong, I doubt I will need a lock anymore. Do you see where your 4x4 posts are? I'm going to saw down a 6x6 to the same size as a 4x6. This will be the post for the latch side. I'll drill the hole in the post, but I'll put it in the middle. I understand why you put it on the top. The gate and posts were already there, but it is less likely to pull the gate to pieces if it was located in the middle. Preferably in a cross or side frame board. I can just see some robber trying to figure out how to open the gate. Not happening.
Rondina - Yup, the middle will be fine. You may find you have to offset the magnet by a little bit. These magnets are s t r o n g. I've offset mine slightly, otherwise I'd never be able to get the gate open! At the very least I'd break the handle trying. ~ karen
I look forward to receiving your emails every morning. WOW!
thanks
Steve
Karen - has this thread died?
Thanks
Steve
Um ... no. ~ karen!
I have ordered my magnets for my fence gate and hope to have them installed this weekend. Where have you been lately. Why no posts?
Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve - Um ... I'm not sure what you're talking about. I've been posting every day for the past 2 years. (excluding Sundays) If you subscribe to my site it's possible you were accidentally unsubscribed by my Subscription provider. It's been known to happen. If you just take a look at my blog every day you'll see a new post there bright and early in the morning. :) ~ karen!
Karen, I am happy to see you are still at it. Anyway, I have read some of your bio information and find you to be a very interesting person. Is that you in the pic holding the big fish? WOW Weee.
I am sort of like you in that I am the everyday unsung MyGiver. I can and do ponder situations until I come up with a solution.
What TV shows will I be able to view you on soon?
Thanks
Steve
Karen, I'm trying to be a copycat, but you're tricky. I bought a 1" magnet set from Lee Valley, then bought a 1" Forstner bit. Well, the magnet cup is bigger than 1"...it's like 1 1/8", so the cup doesn't fit in the hole, dangit. should I just hammer it in and force it? or buy a bigger bit? do tell. This would be a considered a BIG carpentry job for me...help!!!
I just found your blog and am enthralled, and can't leave my laptop. Everyone else is so boring now. And you should see my gates. Horrors. The handles are pieces of paint sticks wired up to the everyday latches. I don't have a shred of creativity.....
Trinity - LOL!!!! I don't know ... I'd say paint sticks wired onto latches is pretty creative! :) ~ karen
Oh! And thank you. ~ k
I just found your blog - clicking on links in the Design Sponge blog - and I LOVE this idea. I live in Houston and when I had my cedar fence built last summer it was a usual wet summer... this year we have a drought and the wood has shrunk enough that the latch hardware on the side gate doesn't line up well and it's hard to open an close. This would absolutely address this problem!!! BUT when I read Christine's post about using the magnets to keep a gate open - WOW, thanks Christine! I have a big double gate in front of the driveway, and right now I use bricks to keep the two gate doors open while I am backing out or driving in... if it's windy, the gates sometimes fly closed while I'm driving, so Christine's adaption of your great idea will possibly save me a crushed bumper/mashed gate. Thanks to you both!
You're very welcome Rosanne! My magnets are up to yr 4 now with no problems at all. Love them! I'm happy you found my site. - karen!
Well this is the greatest idea since sliced bread! I'm wanting to build a screen door and don't want the typical latch crap stuff that gives out after one summer and the magnets would be perfect! Thanks! :)
Kansas A - This magnet may actually be too strong for a screen door. This is the 1" rare earth magnet. I'd recommend a smaller size. It'd do the job just fine! Maybe a half inch. ~ karen
I’ll repeat what others have said... you are BRILLIANT! Found your blog while googling contemporary gate hardware. Love this idea. Just convinced my husband to use this method. Our carpenters will start the gate tomorrow. We’ll put an overlap on the side as a gate stop and put the magnet on it. Now I just have to find the perfect handle. Thanks!!!!!!
Ellen - You're welcome! I'm just finishing up building a chicken coop and am using the Rare Earth magnets on it as well. ~ karen!
I was thinking of this idea also so I googled it and found this page. I have idiots for tenants and they have left the gate open several times and my dogs have escaped...
I am at my wits end ready to kick them out. I have a PVC gate with a locking latch; it does not close properly at times. How can I set this up using the magnet? Cut a hole into the pvc fence?
Thank you thank you thank you!! I ordered my magnet for my gate today. I also have some sort of aversion to being able to see the latch hardware from the outside. So it has been latch-less until you have now proposed the perfect invisible closure solution! Being obsessed with invisible yet functional things, and the sleekness of hidden design, so I am thrilled to see this idea. My two year old will be enlisted to test its strength as soon as the magnets arrive.
Sheri - You can adjust the strength of the magnet's "hold" by how you align the magnet to the washer. If they hit head on it'll be strongest, but if you only have half the washer hit the magnet it'll be less strong, therefore easier to open. :) ~ karen