Rack Bolts FAQ

Rack Bolt Basics

What is a rack bolt

Rack boltscan also be called security bolts. They offer additional security protection, are installed inside the door or window edge and can be unlocked or locked by a separate splined key / rack bolt thumb turn. 

Are rack bolts any good?

Rack bolts are a good choice for concealed extra security. Because they can only be accessed from the inside of the window or door, they are very effective as security. 

What size are rack mount bolts?

The standard screw size for a rack mount is M6, where the M stands for metric and the 6 is the bolt’s diameter in millimeters. Older or foreign equipment might use imperial sizes such as 10-32 or 12-24. 

What is the most common rack screw?

Again, the most common rack screw sizes are 10-32 or 12-24 in imperial, or M6 in metric. However, it's important to note that the exact sizes and threads can vary by manufacturer. 

Installation & Security

How to unlock a rack bolt?

To unlock a rack bolt, you would need to use the assigned splined key or turn, insert this into the rack bolt, which has a mechanism with gears to retract the bolt within the window / door frame to unlock it. 

How secure are barrel bolts?

Barrel bolts are one of the most popular ways to secure a door. A barrel bolt is comprised of a sliding bolt which fits inside a barrel and moved from left to right, and a fastener, where the bar fits. They are easy to install and space efficient, however are quite small and aren’t deemed as secure as a deadbolt. 

General Bolt Comparisons

What is the difference between a bolt and a stud bolt?

A bolt has a head on one end, needing only one nut to tighten it, whereas a stud bolt has no head therefore needs 2 nuts, one either end to secure it. Both are used to fasten materials to each other, stud bolts are normally used when only one side is easily accessible to turn the nut. 

Do bolts hold better than screws?

Depending on the size of each, if we are comparing like-for-like, a bolt would be stronger and hold better than a screw, due to their nut & washer design, which means they are holding tighter, and the washer spreads out the weight of the hold over a larger surface area. This is why bolts are better suited for more heavy duty applications such as construction.