Tower bolt vs pad bolt: securing doors and gates in Kenya
The difference between a tower bolt vs pad bolt is simple: a tower bolt is a sliding bolt that holds a door or gate shut from the inside, while a pad bolt has a staple so the bolt can be padlocked shut. Use tower bolts on the top and bottom of doors, gates and windows, and a pad bolt where you want to lock the door with a padlock. At AHIHQ Traders in Nairobi, in October 2026, a carton of 10 dozen 6" pad bolts is KSh 9,570 and a carton of 240 heavy duty 4" tower bolts is KSh 10,440, both sold wholesale.
Door and gate security hardware at a glance
| Item | What it does | Sizes | Pack | Pack price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tower bolt, Heavy Duty | Bolts gates and heavy doors shut | 3", 4", 5", 6" (Black/Blue/Chrome) | Carton of 120 to 360 | KSh 6,615 to KSh 13,050 |
| A-Type tower bolt, Black | Bolts doors, cupboards and windows | 3", 4", 5", 6" | Carton of 40 to 75 dozen | KSh 13,050 to KSh 14,500 |
| Pad bolt 6" | Bolt that takes a padlock | 6" (Black, Blue or Chrome) | Carton of 10 dozen | KSh 9,570 |
| Padlock | Locks pad bolts, hasps and chains | 38mm, 50mm, 63mm | Carton of 60 to 240 | KSh 14,355 to KSh 27,840 |
| Gate chain lock | Chains and locks gate leaves together | 6 x 80, 6 x 100, 6 x 120, 6 x 150 | Carton of 30 to 50 | KSh 11,310 to KSh 14,500 |
| Mortise lock, 2 lever | Key lock set inside the door edge | Silver or Golden | Carton of 30 | KSh 26,100 |
| Window fastener and window stay | Hold a window shut, or open at a set point | Fastener: Right and Left | Carton of 240 | KSh 22,620 and KSh 26,100 |
Tower bolt vs pad bolt: what is the difference?
A tower bolt is a round bolt that slides through a barrel screwed to the door, into a keep on the frame, floor or lintel. It only works from the side it is fitted on. Fit one at the top and one at the bottom of the fixed leaf of a double door or gate, and on the inside of back doors and stores.
A pad bolt also slides into a keep, but the bolt has a handle that drops into a staple with a hole. Pass a padlock through it and the bolt cannot be drawn back. That makes it the choice for store doors, outside toilets, sheds and gates that are locked from the outside.
Heavy duty or A-type tower bolt?
The heavy duty tower bolt is the one for steel gates, heavy timber doors and anywhere the bolt takes knocks. It is packed by the carton: 3" is KSh 13,050 for 360 (about KSh 36 a piece), 4" is KSh 10,440 for 240 (about KSh 44 a piece), 5" is KSh 12,180 for 240 (about KSh 51 a piece) and 6" in Black, Blue or Chrome is KSh 6,615 for 120 (about KSh 55 a piece).
The A-type tower bolt is a lighter, black bolt for house doors, cupboards and windows, packed by the dozen. A carton of 75 dozen 3" bolts is KSh 14,140 (about KSh 16 a piece), 60 dozen 4" is KSh 14,355 (about KSh 20 a piece), 50 dozen 5" is KSh 13,050 (about KSh 22 a piece) and 40 dozen 6" is KSh 14,500 (about KSh 30 a piece).
The Knicker pad bolt 6" comes in Black, Blue or Chrome, at KSh 9,570 for a carton of 10 dozen. That works out at about KSh 80 a piece.
Which padlock size do you need?
The padlocks come in three body widths. A bigger body usually has a thicker shackle, which is harder to cut, so match the size to the job:
- 38mm: cupboards, boxes, small pad bolts and lockers. KSh 27,840 for a carton of 240, about KSh 116 a piece.
- 50mm: store doors, house pad bolts and hasps. KSh 20,880 for a carton of 120, about KSh 174 a piece.
- 63mm: gates, shop shutters and chains. KSh 14,355 for a carton of 60, about KSh 239 a piece.
Check that the shackle passes through the staple of the pad bolt or the link of the chain before you buy a carton.
Gate chain locks and mortise locks
A gate chain lock wraps through the bars of two gate leaves, or a gate and a post, and is locked shut. It is a quick way to secure a gate that has no bolt, or to add a second lock. Sizes are listed as 6 x 80 (KSh 14,500 for 50), 6 x 100 (KSh 12,760 for 40), 6 x 120 (KSh 12,180 for 35) and 6 x 150 (KSh 11,310 for 30).
A mortise lock is fitted into a pocket cut into the edge of a timber door, so only the keyhole, handles and the latch show. The Sunflower 2 lever mortise lock suits internal doors such as bedrooms and offices. For outside doors, many owners add a pad bolt or tower bolts as well. It is KSh 26,100 for a carton of 30 in Silver or Golden, about KSh 870 a piece.
Window fasteners and stays
A window fastener is the handle that pulls a casement window tight against the frame and holds it shut. It is handed, and the product is listed as Right & Left, so check which hand each window needs before you order. A window stay is the arm along the bottom of the window that holds it open at a set position, so wind does not slam it. Both are packed in cartons of 240: fasteners at KSh 22,620 (about KSh 94 a piece) and stays at KSh 26,100 (about KSh 109 a piece).
Which one should you buy?
- Steel gates and heavy doors: heavy duty tower bolts, top and bottom.
- House doors, cupboards and windows: A-type tower bolts.
- Doors locked from outside: 6" pad bolt plus a 50mm or 63mm padlock.
- Gates without a bolt: a gate chain lock.
- Internal timber doors: a 2 lever mortise lock.
- Casement windows: window fasteners and window stays.
- Fixing bolts into masonry: wall plugs with wood screws.
Where to buy
Every line above is in the door furniture and locks section of the tools and hardware range. The range is sold wholesale only: each product is sold by its pack (carton, case, bag or bundle), never as a single piece. Prices quoted here are wholesale pack prices in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2026. Buy online or at the trade counter at Royal Business Park, opposite Complast, Old Mombasa Road, Nairobi, open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 17:30. Pay by M-Pesa or card. Delivery is KSh 350 flat anywhere in Kenya, and free on orders over KSh 15,000. For a trade quote, send your list through the trade page or on WhatsApp +254 724 505 919.
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Common questions
Can a tower bolt be padlocked?
No. A tower bolt has no staple for a padlock. If you need to lock the door with a padlock, fit a pad bolt.
How many tower bolts does a double gate need?
Usually two on the fixed leaf, one at the top and one at the bottom, plus a pad bolt or chain lock to join the two leaves.
Can I buy one padlock?
No. This range is sold by the carton only, from 60 padlocks (63mm) to 240 (38mm). If you need one or two, share a carton with others or buy it as shop stock.
What does a carton of pad bolts cost in Kenya?
In Nairobi in October 2026, a carton of 10 dozen 6" pad bolts is KSh 9,570, about KSh 80 a piece.