Bollards Types and Styles

Learn about the many functions a bollard covers by examining their types and styles

By Christine Foley

Bollards are short, vertical posts placed into areas such as parking lots, parks or other community or business spaces to control traffic, be it pedestrian or vehicular. They are designed in a line in order to stop vehicles or pedestrians from passing into a particular area. While they were originally used for mooring ships at docks, they are presently used for road traffic control, as an aesthetic improvement to an area and as a form of utility locator. There are many different bollards types and styles to meet the various uses and needs for businesses that could benefit from such objective and capabilities.

If a business is looking to buy bollards for a specific purpose or to improve the visual appeal of the landscape of their business, they will have a number of options available to them. Bollard prices will vary in accordance to the bollards types and styles. Businesses will likely want to:

1. Consider the types of bollards available to them.

2. Review the materials from which bollards may be forged.

3. Determine the measurements of bollards for correct sizing procedures and capabilities which will meet the needs of the business wanting to buy bollards, as well as the capabilities of the businesses which supply bollards.

4. Learn about bollards' most beneficial features such as lighting.

Examine the types of bollards available to see which fit the needs of your business

There are many types of bollards available, which makes them perfect for meeting the many needs of businesses looking to decorate or control certain areas. Collapsible bollards, retractable bollards and removable bollards are perfect for areas which do not need to be controlled all of the time, but rather only some of the time. These are not permanent bollards, but temporary ones. Meanwhile, for businesses wanting to spruce up the appearance of their pre-existing bollards, there is the option of decorative bollard covers.
Try: AliBaba.com has a large selection of marine bollards for use in waterways. Find automatic bollards at AutomaticBollard.com. Retractable bollards are available at TrafficGuard.net and collapsible bollards at be found at Belson.com.

Review what materials may be utilized to make bollards

Some materials are sturdier than others. Businesses will also want to consider the materials of bollards since when they go to buy bollards, the prices will vary according to materials utilized. There are some materials which are more sturdy than others, such as concrete bollards, metal bollards and steel bollards, but also those which are lighter and less durable, such as plastic bollards.
Try: Cast iron bollards are decorative and functional. ArchitecturalIron.com has a large selection of them available. View concrete bollards and steel bollards at BigBollards.com. Plastic bollards are available from BarcoProducts.com, while timber bollards are available at Furnitubes.com.

Determine what size bollards are available

There are many sizes of bollards available on the market. Businesses need to be aware of what sizes are out there to buy so they may properly plan for the implementation of bollards. In many instances, bollard prices will vary based on size as well.
Try: SketchUp discusses their available bollards, as well as their standard size of 35 inches from Maglin. Additional average sizes are available from GlobalSpec.com, where bollards are broken down by type and their sizes examined. Heights vary from 36 inches to 60 inches, while the diameters vary from less than three inches to more than 10 inches.

Educate yourself on the most beneficial features of bollards available

Some bollards offer unique and beneficial features. For example, lighted bollards are a functional and visually appealing option available to businesses. They offer the control of regular bollards, but visual assistance and clarity during darker periods of the day and night. Security bollards are beneficial in keeping certain areas safe and secure.
Try: Security bollards are discussed in detail at SecureUSA.net. Find lighted bollards, a type of security bollards, at CalPipeBollards.com.