Padlocks

Most people don't think about padlocks until something goes wrong — a break-in on a neighbouring unit, a shed that's been forced, a hasp that's finally given up after a winter outside. At that point, the question isn't just "which padlock?" It's "which padlock will actually hold?"

The answer depends almost entirely on what you're securing and where. A brass open-shackle padlock on an indoor storage cabinet is fine. Put that same lock on a yard gate or a vehicle tool store and it won't last long against a decent pair of bolt croppers. Shackle type matters more than most people realise — long shackle padlocks give you the clearance to thread through a chain or hasp, but that extra exposed metal is also easier to attack. Straight shackle and closed-shackle designs cut that risk down significantly, which is why they're the go-to for high-risk external applications.

For anything where security is serious — securing a commercial premises, protecting plant or plant equipment, or where your insurer has something to say about it — you want to be looking at high security padlocks with hardened steel bodies, anti-pick cylinders, and a proper security grading behind them. Discus padlocks are worth considering here too: the shrouded design means the shackle is almost fully enclosed, leaving very little to grip or cut.

If you're managing multiple access points and want to keep the key count down, keyed alike padlocks let a single key operate several locks — useful across storage yards, plant hire fleets, or any site with multiple gates. At the other end of that, master keyed padlock systems give each user their own key while a master key covers everything — the kind of setup facilities managers and security contractors tend to need.

Weatherproof padlocks are worth specifying for anything exposed to the elements. Standard padlocks corrode faster than you'd expect in the UK, and a seized lock on an external gate is its own problem. For even harsher conditions, laminated steel padlocks handle the outdoor abuse well — they've been a site staple for decades for good reason.

Vans are a separate situation entirely. A steel door with a standard hasp is an easy target, and it's become a serious problem in most trades. Van padlocks paired with a heavy-duty padbar give you something considerably harder to defeat quickly — which is usually what deters an opportunist.

Combination padlocks are available for situations where keys aren't practical — communal access, temporary site security, or anywhere key management would become a headache. TSA-approved padlocks are also stocked for luggage where airport security access is a requirement.

If you're buying for a larger job or managing a site, it's worth talking through keying options before you order. Getting the key system right from the start saves a lot of hassle later.