Bollards are designed to protect pedestrians and structures from vehicle impacts in case of collisions and they also work great as a decorative traffic guide. There are many types of bollards and each type serves a specific purpose. As compared to other barriers, bollards are more pleasing to the eye and allow architects to improve the landscape design or the look of a building.

Following are some common types of bollards:

1. Permanent Bollards

Permanent or fixed bollards are mainly used for security purposes as they are designed with sturdy materials (e.g. steel) and can withstand high-level vehicle impacts. Mostly, permanent bollards are built with a steel pipe which is installed in a pre-drilled hole and then covered with cast iron bollard casing and reinforced with concrete. The structural stability of permanent bollards is higher than any other type of bollards, hence they are more impact resistant. Permanent bollards are suitable for installation in sensitive areas such as government buildings, high pedestrian traffic areas, front entrance of buildings, etc. Furthermore, they can also be used as a physical barrier and visual deterrent to provide protection from collision.

2. Collapsible Bollards

Collapsible bollards are an ideal option for access control, especially if a specific lot has lots of vehicles that need to get in and out on the basis of authorization. You can also use them in your apartment parking garage. Collapsible bollards are personalized, which means every resident can have their own keys for their own locks. Furthermore, you can also use them next to fixed bollards. They are a perfect choice if you want to allow people to enter or exit certain areas at certain times. Most people use collapsible bollards when they organize an event and want to temporarily expand their security.

3. Removable Bollards

Removable bollards have an easy-to-use and smooth installation process known as ‘twist and lock’. You can use this process to install as well as remove the bollards from their positions. For installation, you will need to first slide the installation bar through the opening in top of each bollard, then lower the bollard into ‘twist and lock’ track and drop it into place, and finally use set screws to secure the top. You can use removable bollards for anti-theft purposes as there are two high security add-ons commonly available. The Surface Bolt option and the Padlock option. The main difference between these add-ons is the type of tools required and the matter of preference. The Surface Bolt option would require a special tool while the Padlock option would require specific keys.

4. Decorative Bollards

Decorative bollards are another common type of bollards that are used for a wide range of architectural applications. You can use them to define urban boundaries when city planning. Decorative bollards are not as sturdy as permanent bollards but they have enough impact resistance that enable them to protect pedestrians and structures from moderate-level vehicle impacts. They are mostly used as decorative elements within a landscape. They are available in variety of designs and colors.