A Guide to Bollard Materials

Depending on their intended purpose, bollards are made from a variety of materials, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

To help you make the right choice, we’ve compiled a guide to bollard materials. Learn what benefits and drawbacks you can expect from each material regarding maintenance, durability, flexibility and visual appeal. 

Why Bollard Materials Are Important

The best materials for bollards depend on their specific purpose. The type of material you choose affects the bollards’ lifespan and their ability to resist the harsh conditions they’re exposed to, such as extreme weather, physical impact and corrosion. Ensuring you select the correct material is crucial in maintaining its function over time.

• High-security areas, such as government buildings and military bases, require bollards that offer exceptional durability and security. Concrete and stainless steel bollards are suitable as both materials are strong and can withstand impact.
• A rural park or urban area would use decorative bollards made of aluminum and stainless steel to complement the space while providing simple safety and traffic control.
• Parking lots and sidewalks require clear boundaries to distinguish between high-traffic areas and pedestrian zones, which is why concrete and stainless steel are ideal materials for this purpose. Offering both strength and aesthetics, these bollards protect pedestrians while visually enhancing the area.

Before choosing a type of bollard, consider what qualities you require and the purpose of your bollards. This will ensure the durability and cost-effectiveness of your bollards over time.

What Material Should You Choose for Bollards?

This guide will help you select the best materials for bollards that meet your specific needs.

Aluminum Bollards

If you’re looking for a material that offers ideal decorative appeal in low-traffic areas, aluminum is a great choice. This bendable and light material is suitable for installing bollards that will be relocated over time.  

Benefits of aluminum bollards include: 

• Low maintenance: Aluminum bollards require minimal maintenance in most spaces.
• Lightweight and flexible: Lighter in weight, aluminum can be moved and installed easily.
• Corrosion resistance: Aluminum can withstand rusting if it has low exposure to moisture.
• Aesthetic appeal: Aluminum looks visually appealing in many environments.

A few drawbacks of this material include:

• Low durability: Aluminum is soft and malleable. It can’t withstand high impact, so it’s not an ideal solution in high-security areas.
• Shorter lifespan: If aluminum bollards are placed in busy areas, they’re prone to getting damaged more quickly than other materials, such as stainless steel.

Stainless Steel Bollards

A popular choice for its strength, stainless steel bollards are ideal for high-traffic areas due to the risk of collisions or impacts. Stainless steel is versatile and can be used for various purposes, whether decorative or for protection. These types of bollards are effective in coastal regions due to their rust-resistant qualities.

Stainless steel advantages include: 

• Low corrosion: Stainless steel is highly resistant to rust, making it an ideal material for use in various environments and weather conditions.
• Decorative: Its shine adds a sleek aesthetic that complements contemporary architecture.
• Minimal maintenance: Stainless steel requires minimal upkeep — just periodic cleaning to maintain its shine.
• High impact resistance: While not as robust as concrete, it offers significant resistance to damage in areas with moderate traffic.
• Recyclability: Stainless steel is 100% recyclable, making it a sustainable option.

There are minimal disadvantages to installing stainless steel bollards, other than their high initial cost. However, over time, this material proves to be a cost-effective, long-lasting bollard solution. 

Concrete Bollards

Highly durable, concrete is an excellent bollard material if you’re seeking a robust and long-lasting solution. With its high-impact resistance, concrete bollards are used in high-traffic or industrial areas where sturdy protection is required.

Benefits of concrete bollards include: 

• Superior durability: Due to its high impact resistance, concrete can withstand collisions with little damage.
• Low maintenance: Concrete bollards require minimal maintenance, though cracks may need to be repaired occasionally.
• Shape and size customizations: Concrete bollards can be shaped to your specifications and customized to fit into their environment.
• Stability: Concrete is a heavy material, making it an ideal choice for a permanent barrier in high-security areas.

The main disadvantage of concrete bollards is repair and replacement after high impacts and damage. However, all bollards come with maintenance requirements.

Carbon Steel Bollards

Although not as sturdy as stainless steel, carbon steel is an affordable and strong bollard material option that can help you prioritize high-impact resistance and safety. 

Advantages of carbon steel include: 

• Affordability: Carbon steel’s lower initial cost compared to stainless steel makes it a cost-effective solution for those seeking a robust option without exceeding their budget.
• High strength: This material serves as an effective physical barrier due to its exceptional strength.
• Impact resistance: With its high strength, carbon steel has excellent impact resistance.

It may be a sturdy choice, but there are a few disadvantages, such as: 

• Corrosion: Unlike stainless steel, carbon steel is susceptible to rust, especially in humid and high-moisture areas.
• Higher maintenance: Due to corrosion, carbon steel bollards need regular maintenance to avoid damage.

Cast Iron Bollards

A more traditional and practical material for bollards is cast iron. Compared to stainless steel and concrete, cast iron allows for more decorative applications, making it an ideal choice for aesthetic purposes. Cast iron bollards are typically used in town centers and traditional streetscapes for this reason.

What makes cast iron a great option is its:

• Extreme durability: Cast iron is highly durable, meaning it can withstand high impact and
• Classic appeal: With its traditional appearance, cast iron is the ideal material for adding decorative flair to an area.
• High damage resistance: Cast iron is both heavy and strong, which means it is less prone to damage.

Although reliable in certain aspects, cast iron bollards do have drawbacks, such as:

• Susceptibility to rust: In high moisture areas such as coastal regions, cast iron bollards will rust over time, leading to corrosion and maintenance.
• Weight: Cast iron is heavy. Moving these bollards requires the right equipment.

Recycled Plastic Bollards

For temporary bollard installations, recycled plastic bollards are the perfect option. They’re flexible, lightweight and easy to install, especially in low-traffic and suburban areas. They usually guide slow traffic and mark boundaries.

Some of their main pros are:

• Affordable: Plastic bollards are more affordable than other materials.
• Flexibility: These bollards are bendable, which limits damage to cars.
• Lightweight: Plastic bollards are easier to relocate and replace since they’re made of plastic.
• Weather-resistant: Plastic bollards can withstand various weather conditions, but they’ll eventually discolor.

Two disadvantages include:

• Durability: Over time, plastic bollards may need to be replaced if they’re damaged.
• Minimal impact resistance: Due to their flexible material, these bollards aren’t suitable for impact prevention.

Choose the Right Bollard Material With Blockaides

Choosing a type of bollard material is crucial to your bollards’ longevity and purpose, ensuring long-lasting safety and visual appeal.

Whether you need stainless steel bollards as a secure barrier around factories or bollards for their aesthetic appeal, Blockaides can offer guidance and expertise to help you choose an option that fits your requirements and specifications. No matter your industry or the environment you’re working with, our professional team can help.

Browse our selection of bollards today, and contact us with questions about material options.