Innovative Bollard Designs Mean You Won’t Sacrifice Beauty For Security

Bollards enhance security around your commercial property, but not everyone likes the look of permanent concrete or steel poles that prevent cars from crashing through your storefront. Fortunately, having a secure perimeter does not mean you must have a boring streetscape.

The bollard retailers of today sell a variety of different styles of bollards to accentuate any architecture or landscape. Bollards with built-in lighting can even add ambiance to an otherwise unimaginative commercial area.

There are several factors you will want to consider when selecting which bollards to install around your commercial property. A few factors to consider are material, visibility, function, and maintenance to be sure you choose the best bollards for your needs.

What material are they made of?

The sturdiest bollards – usually those that are permanent – are often made of concrete or steel. However, this doesn’t mean settling for a mundane or industrial look. There are decorative covers that can go over bollards as well as the option to have them painted or covered with a powder coating.

Even crash-rated bollards meant to withstand a large amount of force from vehicles are able to have their core fitted with eye-catching covers. These are great options to match the look of surrounding buildings or add a pop of color to your secure perimeter.

Flexible or removable bollards are often made of plastic or rubber. These can also be decorated with covers or with reflective tape.

Higher-end commercial property owners often opt for metal bollard covers to enhance their look. These decorative bollard covers can range from classical to a more modern or unique style.

How visible will they be?

Just as there are bollards available that are made of various materials, there are also many sizes available. You will want to consider how tall you need them to be. Colors like the standard “safety yellow” can increase visibility, but adding decals or reflective tape is also an option that could be more visually appealing and still help the bollards to stand out as a protective barrier.

There are also many styles of bollards available with lights already built into them. Some of these create a quite stunning look along sidewalks, around buildings, or within landscaped areas.

How do they function?

You will need to decide whether you want to install permanent bollards, retractable bollards, or removable bollards. Retractable bollards can be manually raised or lowered, or there are automatic models that operate with the push of a button.

Removable bollards can be installed in various ways. One of the most common installation methods is using in-ground receivers. They are designed to accept or release bollards with ease. Removable bollard receivers often come with padlocks, while others have internal locking hardware.

What maintenance will they need?

Just a small amount of maintenance will keep your bollards in good shape for many years. Wiping them down with a soapy rag occasionally will remove dirt and debris. If you opt for painted bollards, you may want to add protective coatings such as zinc primers, galvanized paint, or powder coatings to protect them from weathering. If your commercial property is located in a coastal area, be mindful that salt in the air could degrade paint at a faster rate. You should also inspect your bollards a few time per year to check for corrosion, rust, dings, or cracks.