Of all the questions we got on this topic, precisely how a barn door locks are one of the more prominent points of confusion we encounter. As a result, it is worth taking some time to go over this question in detail.
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The first thing to point out is that sliding doors don't lock like a regular door. Instead, several different lock types allow users to lock the door from the inside, the most common of which are:
Teardrop Latch: The first, and most common locking system is comprised of two main parts, a slotted piece of hardware and a teardrop-shaped wedge. When the door is fully closed, the teardrop bit, attached to the inside of the doorway, can be slid into its corresponding slot, making it impossible to slide the door one way or another.
Hook and Eye: The hook and eye is one of the simplest and most widely used locking mechanisms around, and are commonly found on public washrooms, gates, outhouses, and many other doors. In essence, this system uses a ring that is screwed into the door or doorway. The other part, the hook, is installed in a position where it can be 'hooked' onto the eye when the door is completely closed.
Floor Bolt: Another practical, albeit less common, the locking mechanism is a floor bolt. With this setup, a bolt or metal bar is attached to the bottom of the door. When the door is fully closed, the bolt or bar can be lowered into a hole in the ground, making it so the door cannot be opened until the bolt is removed.