What Type of Bolt Do I Need?

Bolts are a great way to add security to your doors, windows, and cupboards which don't have built-in locks, but how do you know which type to use?

We've created this guide of our most popular types of bolts and when to use them.

Straight Bolts
Cranked Bolts
Universal Bolts
French Door Bolts
Flush Bolts
Cremone Bolts

While bolts are intended for use on windows and doors without other locking hardware, you can also use them as an additional layer of security on windows/doors that are already locking.

All of our bolts are crafted by From The Anvil and have a strong spring mechanism incorporated inside of them. Thanks to this mechanism, our bolts can be fitted both horizontally and vertically to suit your requirements.

Straight Bolts

Straight bolts have a straight shank that slides into a receiver bridge which is surface-fitted to the door/window frame. These are designed for inwards-opening doors and windows with a flush frame.

Above: From The Anvil's Pewter straight knob bolts fitted vertically and horizontally to a stable door with a matching Antique Pewter Straight lever lock set.

Cranked Bolts

Cranked bolts have a stepped shaft which fits into a receiver plate. Whereas a receiver bridge is screwed straight onto the frame, a receiver plate is fitted over a small hole into which the shaft slots when locked.

From The Anvil's Pewter Cranked door bolts on a wooden ledge and brace door.

Above: From The Anvil's Pewter Cranked door bolts used to secure a wooden ledge and brace door.

Universal Bolts

Universal bolts are the most versatile type of bolt and can be used on both inward and outward opening doors and windows. All our universal bolts are supplied with an angled keep, receiver bridge, and receiver plate as seen below.

From The Anvil's Black receiver bridge, angled keep, and receiver plate on a white background.

The receiver bridge is used for inward opening doors, whereas a receiver plate or angle keep is used for outward opening doors (whether you choose to use the receiver plate or the angled keep depends on the frame/architrave surrounding your door.

Above: From The Anvil's Aged Bronze Universal door bolt on a stable door with matching Hinton lever lock door handle and Round escutcheon.

French Door Bolts

French door bolts are designed for use in high-reach areas. They feature a long, cranked handle for ease of use. Much like universal bolts, all of our French door bolts are supplied with a variety of keeps which allows them to be used on both inward and outward opening doors.

Above: From The Anvil's Pewter French door bolt.

Flush Bolts

Flush bolts are used to secure the inactive door of sliding/folding door systems. A flush bolt is morticed into the inside of the door at the top and bottom, and projects into a receiver plate in the top and bottom of the door frame.

Above: From The Anvil's flush bolt used in a pair of exterior locking doors.

Cremone Bolts

Cremone bolts are traditionally used on French doors and offer a decorative, face-fixed alternative to a multi-point lock. These bolts use vertical rods which are fitted to the surface of a door, window, or cupboard, and can be locked and unlocked by turning a knob connected to the rods.

From The Anvil's Pewter Cremone bolts fitted to double office glazed doors.