Privacy only. All latches in this collection prevent the door from sliding when engaged, but none are designed to resist forced entry. A person who pushes hard enough can disengage any of them. For bathroom and bedroom privacy — keeping the door from sliding open accidentally or when someone knocks — they're the right solution. For rooms requiring true security, a keyed lock is the appropriate choice and is not something we currently carry for barn doors.

The Goldberg Brothers biparting privacy latch is designed specifically for this application. It holds both center-meeting doors together at the closed position. The cabin hook can also work for biparting doors — mount the hook on one door and the eye on the other — but the dedicated biparting latch is the cleaner solution. The flip latch and teardrop lock are not suitable for biparting applications.

For bathrooms and high-humidity environments, choose a stainless steel option — the flip latch, Goldberg Brothers privacy latch, biparting latch, and cabin hook are all available in stainless. The teardrop lock is available in black only and is not rated for sustained moisture exposure. For outdoor applications, stainless is the only appropriate choice. See our barn door privacy guide for more detail on latch selection by room.

Yes — all latches in this collection are independent of your hardware kit and mount directly to the door face or jamb. No hardware replacement required. The only latches that require door modification are the Goldberg Brothers privacy latch (mortise and strike plate) and the teardrop lock (slot in door face) — for those, you'll need to rout or cut the door before installation. The flip latch, cabin hook, and biparting latch all install without modifying the door itself.

The Goldberg Brothers latches — the privacy latch and biparting privacy latch — are the premium option. The paddle mechanism on the privacy latch is easier to operate than any of the house value line options, and both Goldberg Brothers latches are available in stainless for high-humidity environments. The house value line options (flip latch, cabin hook, teardrop) are simpler mechanisms that get the job done for most standard residential applications. If ease of use is the priority, go Goldberg Brothers. If you want the most versatile option regardless of brand, the cabin hook is hard to beat.