Beginner’s Guide to Bollards

Most people who invest in bollards, do so for one of two reasons:

1. Security and safety. 
   1. Why use bollards for security? Check out our blog post here on how bollards can provide safety and security.
2. Aesthetic value. 
   1. Decorative bollards provide all the benefits of regular bollards, while keeping beautiful aesthetic of your area. 

Types of bollards: 

1. Permanent Bollards

   1. When an area will consistently have high volumes of traffic, permanent bollard are often the best choice. Government buildings, storefronts, schools, airports, all would benefit from permanent structures. When security and safety for pedestrians are a constant must-have these are the most effective option.

2. Collapsible Bollards

   1. While these bollards are permanently anchored into the ground, they allow flexibility by giving you the freedom to move them. With collapsible bollards, you have the choice on whether they should remain up, or be lowered, based on each situation. With areas like emergency lanes or parking surfaces, these bollards allow you to permit traffic when you do and do not desire it. 

3. Removable Bollards

   1. Like collapsible bollards, removable bollards allow owners the flexibility to enforce or take down bollards manually. Unlike collapsible bollards, these are not anchored permanently. All that is left behind when these are removed is a covered ground sleeve. 

4. Flexible Bollards

   1. Designed to move without sustaining damage themselves or damaging vehicles. Flexible bollards look like your typical bollard to deter vehicles from hitting them, but in reality they can bend 90 degrees (over and over again) if they are struck by a vehicle. Providing more protection/permanence than a traffic cone, but offering less damage than a permanent bollard, flexible bollards are the perfect solution for areas where minor collisions will occur, a parking garage for example. 

However, there are some unique uses of bollards that are also common. Some of these include bicycle parking and decoration.

Why and where do you need them?

1. To light dark walkways. 
2. To preserve historical sites.
3. To protect cyclists, students, and pedestrians.
4. To encourage motorists to pay attention. 
5. To deter terrorists from employing vehicle attacks.
6. Industrial facilities where machinery is present. 
7. Parking lots and garages.
8. Water and electrical access points.
9. To protect government buildings, schools, and commercial areas from vehicle attacks.

Accessories, Materials, and Finishes: 

1. Reflective tape and fluorescent finish – This finish offers the ability to prevent accidents by making them eye grabbing enough to catch the attention of those around.

2. Stainless steel – A stainless steel bollard is both heavy duty and long lasting. They also add a sleek look to any property.

3. Locking system – With removable and collapsible bollards, this is the mechanism that will allow you to adjust them to how you wish. 

4. Bollard Caps – Hand-formed pipe bollard caps are a problem waiting to happen.  They don’t look right, they’re never uniform, and sometimes they look just plain terrible. Bollard Shop is an exclusive retailer of TopGard caps, which have been proven to be up to 90% faster to make and 100% uniform. No more hand forming or punch list headaches.

5. Bollard Covers – Bollard covers eliminate the need for updating paint, protects vehicles when in a collision, and adds the ability to customize your bollards to specific colors or designs.