Bollards have been popular for the past decades. A lot of people are concerned about security which can be heightened by bollards. These are a practical and cost-effective way to make a defence perimeter yet bollards do not ruin the aesthetics of a certain place. Thus, many cities have been using bollards for traffic control and guiding motorists in terms of direction. In some places, bollards can be used not only for safety and security but also for decorative purposes. They are used by a lot of people as landscaping elements especially in the United Kingdom. Below are some details about bollards.

What Are Bollards?

A bollard can be best described as a vertical short post.

The first bollards were used for docks. They were made from cast iron or steel. They usually take the shape of mushroom – long vertical post with a cap on top. The caps are designed to secure ropes used for mooring the ships. These early versions of bollards are indeed effective in mooring big ships. Today, bollards are also used for streets to control vehicles to where they can pass and not. They also serve as a guide to pedestrians.

At present, there are a wide variety of bollards. Some are used for streets whilst others are used around landscapes and buildings.

What Are the Types of Bollards?

The most common type of bollards is the one that is fixed. These are the bollards used for landscaping, building protection, etc. You can guess that there are removable bollards. These are the ones that are used for traffic, event security, etc. They can easily be placed on the location when there is a need to change the traffic direction or to limit access. Another type of bollards is called operable. They may come in retractable or fold-down type. They are easy to install and to remove. They can be easily laid down the ground or erected vertically. Additionally, bollards can now be classified as manual and automated (through hydraulic movement)

Normally, they are made from steel. They can be mounted to new foundation. Some are made from stone or concrete, which utilizes the weight as the means of anchoring so they stay in place.

Can Bollards Be Used for Decor?

There are bollards that are designed using a variety of colours, patterns, etc. The usual bollards have round or cylindrical cross-sections but there are also rectangular or square nowadays. The caps are (but not limited to) either angled or flat. For the finish, bollards may come as metallic or painted. Some were powder coated.

Certainly, bollards can be used as boundaries for private properties as well as public establishments. They can also control traffic by preventing entry to a certain road or place while pedestrian can easily pass through. They are a great way to maintain security and safety on the streets. The best part is bollards do not mess up with the beauty of the streets. In fact, colourful and bright bollards sometimes enhance the look of the streets.

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John from http://www.ypl-streetfurniture.co.uk

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