A client in Austin pointed out my gate latches were too high for her kids

She said her 5 year old couldn't reach them, so now I always measure from the ground up, not just from the top of the fence panel. Anyone else adjust their standard latch height for different families?

3 comments

3 Comments

charles_kelly432mo ago

Man, that reminds me of the time I installed a deadbolt for my sister. Her oldest could reach it just fine, but the little one would get locked out on the porch and just cry. You don't really think about that stuff until you see it happen, right? I ended up putting in a lower thumb latch she could actually use. Makes you realize one size doesn't fit all, especially with kids involved.

wilson.kelly2mo ago

Honestly @charles_kelly43, that's a deadbolt, not a thumb latch. Thumb latches are usually on interior doors.

willow1142mo ago

Wait, has anyone actually thought about how this kind of stuff affects kids with disabilities or motor delays? My nephew has cerebral palsy and his fine motor skills are rough. A deadbolt is impossible for him to turn, but a thumb latch he can actually push down with his whole hand if it's low enough. We had to swap out all the locks in my sister's house when he started walking. It's not just about height, it's about the type of hardware and how much strength it takes to operate. Kids aren't all the same, and neither are their hands. So maybe the real issue isn't just thumb latch vs deadbolt, but what kind of door hardware works for every kid in the house, including the ones who struggle with grip or coordination.