Bollards Buyers Guide
Overview
Bollards are often an overlooked feature of our high streets, but they provide security, ensure safety and can even add to the aesthetic of an area, making them invaluable to businesses all over the world.
When it comes to choosing the right bollard for you, it can become a daunting task when you realise just how many different shapes, sizes and colours there are out there, not to mention the different materials and finishes available to you!
Our Buyers Guide is here to help you make an informed decision on which type of bollard is best suited to your needs.
What Can Bollards Be Used For?
Before buying your bollards, ask yourself what function you need your bollard to perform? You might find you need a bollard that protects your premises while being low maintenance, or you need help with traffic segregation. Once you’ve found your answer, you now have an excellent starting point to begin your search.
Common uses for Bollards:
-
- Traffic Segregation (separating traffic from pedestrian areas)
- Traffic Calming (road markings to control flow of traffic)
- Physical security of a premises (outside shop fronts, protecting from vehicles)
- Aesthetics (promoting a particular style or feel for your high street/premises)
|
|
|
|
|
Barriers
Much like our Telescopic Bollards, our Barriers are an excellent solution when vehicle access isn’t always authorised. With a seamless design, our barriers are simple to operate: simply turn a key, push a button and your barrier can be easily lifted to allow access.
When locked in, the barrier is permanently fixed in place, offering a safe and reliable security solution for your premises.
Removable and fixed options available.
Telescopic Bollards
Telescopic Bollards provide a secure method of protecting premises and vehicles, whilst allowing access when required. Telescopic Bollards can be raised and easily locked into place, providing reliable security and, should a vehicle need access, they can be lowered with minimal effort. Our Telescopic Bollards are available in Steel, Stainless Steel and Polyurethane.
Need additional keys? Call 0845 302 0602, or email the team at info@bollardsdirect.co.uk
|
|
 |
 |
Bollard Materials, Shapes and Finishes
The material, shape and finish of your Bollard will be dictated by what you need it for. If you’re looking for something strong and secure, you might want to focus on the material you’re going to need, or for something that will look amazing in your space, you may start your search with the different finishes we have available.
The guide below will give you a breakdown of our Bollards by material.
Steel
- Key features: durable, corrosion resistant, resistant to chips and abrasions, customisable
 |
 |
 |
Stainless Steel
-
Key features: high corrosion resistance, stain resistant, 100% recyclable, easy to clean
Stainless Steel Bollards are made from 99% recycled scrap meaning they’re environmentally friendly, as well as being low maintenance and requiring minimal up-keep. Available in a variety of specifications and fixing options.
 |
 |
 |
Polyurethane
-
Key features: corrosion resistant, high abrasion and chip resistant, durable, non-freezing, extremely versatile
Bollards made from polyurethane can be cast into a wide range of complex shapes. Polyurethane Bollards are non-freezing, which means they are not cold to touch and can be used to replace Bollards that have degraded without affecting the aesthetics of your landscape. Polyurethane Bollards are available in a variety of specifications and fixing options.
 |
 |
Recycled Plastic
-
Key features: durable, long lifespan, 100% recycled, low maintenance
Recycled Plastic Bollards are produced using plastic waste, steel cores can be inserted on request. Due to their non-porous material making them resistant to rot, algae or fungal growth, Recycled Plastic Bollards are the ideal choice for area demarcation in wet or damp conditions.
These Bollards have an extended product lifetime as they are less susceptible to degradation over time.
 |
 |
 |
Plastic
-
Key features: durable, chemical resistance, low maintenance, recyclable
Plastic Bollards are not only durable and versatile, but also have outstanding impact, fracture and shatter resistance properties. With a unique property of being resistant to most acids, salts and solvents including environmental elements such as acid rain, soot, diesel fumes, salt and seawater, our plastic bollards are the ideal choice for any landscape that is subject to harsh elements or chemicals.
Timber
-
Key features: aesthetically pleasing, decay resistant
Our Timber Bollards are made from Opepe, a strong, stable and structural hardwood timber that is durable and very resistant to decay. These bollards are the perfect choice for natural landscapes, whether that be a park, woodland or even a garden.
Timber Bollards are supplied with 3 types of fixings: root fixing, lift out and lockable and base plate.
 |
 |
Concrete
-
Key features: cost effective, durable, corrosion resistant, low maintenance
Concrete Bollards provide effective security and perimeter protection, while also being durable and cost effective. Coming in various designs and finishes, Concrete Bollards are a simple and aesthetically pleasing solution for any premises that needs protecting.
Our Concrete Bollards can be customised to provide road instruction such as: ‘No Entry’, ‘Keep Left’, or ‘Cycle Path’. Alternatively, they can also be customised to hold commemorative plaques or corporate branding.
These Bollards are root fixed.
 |
 |
 |
Installation
Typically, Bollards are most effective when root fixed into a concrete foundation. However, there are exceptions, and we take a look at all the different ways to install Bollards below.
- Root Fixed Bollards
A specifically designed part of the bollard is placed below ground and is fixed in with concrete. This is the most secure way to install your bollard. Anti-Ram Bollards are placed further into the ground for added strength and support.
- Base Plate Fixed Bollards
Used when below ground may be vulnerable or weak, or where drilling down is not an option. A plate is added to the bottom of the bollard design and is fixed to the concrete surface using a suitable bolting system in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction.
- Lift Out & Lockable Fixed Bollards
This form of fixing is ideal for use in applications where the occasional replacement or removal of a bollard may be required.
 |
 |
 |
Warranty/Insurance and Life Span
Bollards are built to stand the test of time. Depending on your choice of materials and the environment you’ve placed your bollard in, it may require some level of maintenance to maximise life span.
At Bollards Direct, we offer you a 12 month guarantee across our entire range of Bollards.
We also offer a service, maintenance and repair service for 5 or more Telescopic Bollards. This service covers 2 services of all telescopic bollards per year, at a cost of £40 per post, including all parts and labour. Available to the whole of the UK excluding Northern Ireland.
Additional call outs are subject to a charge. Contact our sales team for a quotation or any questions on 0845 302 0602
Jargon Buster
-
Access Control
When Bollards allow vehicles to access a premises, whether it be left out & lockable where you manually lift the bollard out or telescopic where the bollard goes into the ground.
Anti-Ram
Anti-Ram is an installation method for your bollard. The root of the bollard is longer allowing for it to be buried deeper than standard root fixing, increasing strength and impact resistance.
Galvanised
Galvanisation is the process of adding a protective zinc coating in order to prevent rusting.
Powder Coated
A type of paint finish that is high quality and low maintenance.
Reinforced
When a bollard is reinforced, it means that the core of the bollard has been replaced with a further strengthened material.
We hope this Bollard Buyers Guide has been useful. If you have any further questions please call us on 0845 302 0602 or email our customer service team at info@bollardsdirect.co.uk