What Are Bollards?
Bollards are solid vertical posts in front of buildings or structures that protect against vehicle collisions and other forces that can cause damage. They are installed on storefronts, sidewalks, trailheads, parking lots, and more. In addition to protecting buildings, occupants, and passersby against collisions, bollards are also used to control traffic and guide pedestrians.
Types of Bollards
Bollard posts can be categorized based on their intended application. Depending on how they are installed and if they can be removed, bollards can be permanent or temporary. Here are the most common types of bollards, each one designed for specific purposes:
- Street or Traffic Line Bollards: These bollards are usually installed on streets, public squares, or sidewalks to demarcate vehicle, bike, and foot traffic. They can also prevent access to restricted areas in these public spaces.
- Pedestrian Bollards: These are used specifically to guide pedestrian traffic and separate them from vehicles. They’re also used in visually defining property perimeters while adding aesthetic flair. Pedestrian bollards can be lighted to illuminate a walkway at night.
- Construction Bollards: You’ll find these bollards in construction zones, where they limit or guide vehicle traffic to protect workers, pedestrians, and drivers from construction hazards.
- Ram-Raid Bollards: These are installed around shops and other commercial buildings to prevent ram raids, a type of “smash and grab” burglary where a vehicle crashes through the doors or windows of a store while thieves loot products. Ram-raid bollards can withstand vehicle collisions and help deter ram-raiding.
How Metal Bollards Are Made
A metal bollard is made by rolling sheet metal into a pole-like shape and fitting or welding the top, which can be domed, flush, or open. Then the bollard is polished or powder-coated for the desired finish. Below are some of the common metal materials, finishes, and sizes used in making bollard poles.
Common Bollard Materials
The specific metal used in making a bollard depends on its need or functionality—where and how it’s going to be used. Our most common materials for bollards include:
- Stainless steel
- Grade 304
- Grade 316
Bollard Finishes
Bollard posts are finished in a variety of ways, such as:
- Stainless Steel Polishing: Polished stainless steel bollards offer a clean, modern look that also provides more hardness and corrosion resistance than mild steel.
At AAA Metals, we usually polish bollards to a #4 or Scotch Brite finish, but we can customize this based on our customers’ desired finish.
Common Sizes
Bollard poles come in various sizes, but the most common outer diameter sizes include:
- 4.5 inches
- 6.625 inches
- 8.625 inches
AAA Metals can also produce custom bollard diameters and heights based on our customers’ unique specifications.
Stainless Steel Supply For Bollards by AAA Metals
Bollards come in different types and materials for different needs, so you can customize them based on your unique specifications. For high-quality metal bollards, turn to the experts at AAA Metals. Our bollards meet all applicable industry standards and can provide robust, long-lasting protection for your building or other structure. We specialize in fabricating high-quality tubes and pipes, meeting ASTM, AMS, ASME, Mil-Spec, and QQS standards as needed.
Request a quote to learn more about our capabilities.