When it comes to protecting vehicles from theft and damage, bollards are an incredibly straightforward yet effective solution for preventing unauthorised access and providing a strong visual deterrent to criminals.

However, there are a variety of factors that impact how effective bollards can be, including the number of bollards installed, bollard height, and the style of bollards that have been chosen. A domestic property, for example, will have very different needs than a commercial loading bay or a commercial garage.

In this article, we will be exploring three of the most common types of bollards: telescopic, static, and removable bollards, as well as exploring their applications for domestic, commercial, and industrial use.

Telescopic, Static, Removable: Choosing A Bollard That Meets Your Needs

Telescopic Bollards

Telescopic bollards are an effective choice for creating secure spaces quickly, and their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of property types. However, the unique qualities of telescopic bollards often make them a particularly well-suited for domestic properties.

This is largely due to the flexibility that they provide to their users; many homeowners only need to use a bollard when their car is parked in the driveway or garage as a way of preventing theft.

This means that static bollards are not an optimal choice as they cannot be added or removed when required. Removable bollards are slightly better in this regard, but setting up and removing bollards can require additional time, energy, and effort, which is likely to be inconvenient when leaving for work or immediately after returning home. 

Telescopic bollards are a fantastic compromise, perfect for domestic use. The simple, collapsible nature of the bollard means that it is quick and easy to retract the bollard, remove your vehicle, and then raise your bollard again if required. When not in use, the bollard sits below ground, allowing the cap to sit flush with your driveway for discreet vehicle protection.

Strengths Of Telecscopic Bollards:

• Quick to set up and collapse

• Discreet and easy to conceal

• High level of flexibility

Static Bollards

Static bollards are bollards that are not designed to be removed at any time, and instead stay in place permanently.

This means that static bollards are most useful when utilised in areas where vehicular access will never be required, such as pedestrianised areas or public parks.

In addition to their utility in urban centres, static bollards are also a fantastic option for a range of commercial and industrial properties. Locations like business parks often have areas and embankments that would be damaged or compromised by a vehicle gaining entry, so static bollards are a simple, effective solution to prevent this.

Static bollards are also a great choice for some aspects of industrial use. Warehouses, factories and other manufacturing areas often have areas that need to remain completely out of bounds to vehicles for safety reasons, or areas where the flow of traffic needs to be tightly controlled, and static bollards can present an effective, permanent barrier to entry by vehicles.

Static bollards are often used alongside removable bollards to create a secure environment where access can be granted when required, while still keeping the overall area secure. This is particularly useful in areas like event spaces, where equipment may need to be delivered, but further access by unauthorised vehicles could cause problems.

Finally, the presence of static bollards is a clear indication that vehicular entry is never expected, signalling to motorists that this area is clearly out ofbounds.

Strengths of Static Bollards:

• One of the strongest styles of bollards available

• Permanent installation for managing traffic flow and access

• Clear visual deterrent to drivers

Removable Bollards

Removable bollards are a comfortable compromise between static and telescopic bollards. Although they can be removed, they are not quite as convenient as telescopic bollards, although they may sometimes provide greater protection from collisions.

However, this can certainly be a strength: removable bollards are a fantastic choice when it comes to businesses that receive deliveries or areas that need to remain inaccessible the majority of the time, but will occasionally require vehicular access.

Warehouses, long driveways, and footpaths are all areas where day-to-day access may be discouraged, but may require access for deliveries or maintenance work. In these situations, a removable bollard is often the best choice.

Strengths Of Removable Bollards:

• Greater strength than telescopic bollards

• Greater flexibility than static bollards

• A robust option for areas that require semi-regular vehicle access, like in warehousing or manufacturing

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing A Bollard?

In addition to the bollard style, there are other considerations that customers should make when selecting a bollard.

Most of our bollards are crafted from a steel core, providing excellent strength and protection from collisions.

However, there is a range of treatments and features available for the bollards we provided.

For example, many of our models also have a zinc coating applied to the exterior.

This is because zinc is naturally anti-corrosive, providing exceptional protection from environmental factors like rain and damp. In addition, zinc also develops a self-protecting patina over time, providing even greater longevity.

Our range also includes copper gold models that have been treated for additional protection against rain and hard weather. In addition to environmental protection, this coating provides a bold, visible colour that is easier to notice, potentially acting as a more effective deterrent, as well as adding a deep, rich colour to any driveway.

When choosing a telescopic or removable bollard, another consideration is the locking mechanism.

Broadly speaking, there are two common types of locks found on bollards.

Integrated locks are locks that have been built into the bollard itself. This prevents them from being tampered with, for example, by being removed by bolt cutters, but means that any issue with the locking mechanism may require maintenance by a technician.

Other bollards utilise an exterior padlock system. Although this may leave the locking mechanism more vulnerable, it also allows any locking issues to be resolved simply and easily by replacing the padlock itself.

If you are expecting to take advantage of regular maintenance and checkups, an integrated locking system may be more aligned with your needs. However, if you are planning on installing a bollard in an area that is more remote or harder to reach, the flexibility offered by an externally locking bollard may be more appropriate.

Discover An Effective Solution For Access And Protection At Bison Products

At Bison Products, we’ve been helping our customers secure their property since 1972. We offer a wide range of bollards that have been specially designed to allow our customer to choose the option that best suits their needs.

Whether you need the flexibility and ease-of-use offered by our range of telescopic bollards, a stainless steel bollard to prevent ram-raiding and theft, or a removable bollard to create a secure area for public or private use, our range of bollards includes options for a wide range of environments and customer needs.

In addition, our Ramco range of bollards comes with a 2-year guarantee when installed by a member of our expert team, giving our customers peace of mind that they are choosing a long-term security solution for their property.

If you have any questions about our bollards or if you are interested in booking a survey to assess the suitability of your property, contact us, and a member of our team will be happy to help with your enquiry.