Top 5 Tips Before Buying A Driveway Bollard

• Know which type of security bollard you need

• Make sure you have someone to install it

• Hire a skip

• Make sure you maintain it

• Contact us if you need advice

1. Know which type of security bollard you need for your driveway.

Driveway security posts come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s easy to get bogged down in the amount of choice.  To make things a little easier, let’s look at the different types you might find.

The four main types of bollards you’ll come across are telescopic, removable, automatic, and fixed.

Now, these can be split into two groups, high security, and domestic security. High-security bollards are usually used to secure key sites such as government buildings or airports from vehicle attacks.

These bollards have been impact-tested, so not really the sort of thing you would have at the end of your driveway. On our website, you’ll find these under the Crash-Rated Solutions category.

Our domestic security line contains all our non-tested bollards which have been designed to protect everything from driveways to industrial sites.

Our driveway security bollards come in a wide range of models, so let’s dive into the different kinds you might find.

• Quick Tip: Our bollards are insurance company recommended. If you’re an Aviva or Allianz customer you can receive a discount on your bollards from us. Call us to find out more.

Fixed Bollards

Let’s start things off by looking at fixed bollards. Fixed bollards much like the name implies are fixed in place, though you’ll sometimes see them called static bollards. You’ve probably seen these types of security bollards outside supermarkets or car parks lining pedestrian walkways.

These bollards aren’t usually suitable for driveways due to their fixed nature making it impossible to allow vehicular access. There may be circumstances however where you may want to look at fixed bollards if you’re aiming to permanently stop access to certain parts of your property or make the vehicular access path narrower.

Telescopic Driveway Bollards

Telescopic bollards are the most common type of driveway security post you’ll find. These bollards can be lowered into the ground manually, allowing you to protect your driveway, preventing any vehicular access when not in use, and allowing access to vehicles when needed.

Quick Tip: Make sure to check the wall thickness of the bollard you’re buying. A thicker wall can minimise ugly dents and damage when the bollard is knocked.

These are our most popular security bollards when it comes to driveway security as they are easy to use and offer secure protection for your driveway.

If you’re worried or put off by the potential lifting weight of a telescopic bollard, there’s no need to worry as our lift-assisted bollards reduce the lifting weight by 60%.

Removeable Driveway Bollards

However, a telescopic bollard might not always be the most suitable option for your driveway. If you have a high water table, for example, it can make it difficult to raise the telescopic post out of the ground. In cases like this, a removable bollard might be a better option.

Another case where a removable bollard might be more suitable would be if you have pipes or wiring under the drive that may limit how deep you can excavate.

In cases like this removable bollards are a better option because they require a much shallower foundation. Instead of retracting into the ground like a telescopic bollard, they can instead be removed and stored safely.

In fact, we supply special storage sockets with our removable bollards so they can be stored safely without the risk of damaging the post.

Automatic Driveway Bollards

Finally, you have automatic driveway bollards, which can be controlled remotely through the use of a key fob. Automatic driveway bollards raise and lower using a hydraulic pump system and require a more extensive installation process. These are the high-end of driveway security and as such reflected in their price.

 2. Make sure you have someone to install it

There’s nothing worse than getting a brand new security post for your driveway and having no idea how to install it.

One of the best options to get driveway bollards fitted is to check with local builders or labourers before you order the bollard to see if they can install it for you. If you’re having difficulty finding someone, don’t worry, we have a number of recommended installers that we can put you in touch with.

If you’re unsure of how many bollards you need to install on your drive or whether there will be any issues, simply send us a picture of your driveway and one of our experts will be able to help.

 3. Hire a skip

This is something we find most people don’t think about when buying a driveway security bollard, but it’s one of the most important.

Fitting a new driveway security bollard requires digging down into concrete, brick, tarmac or whatever your driveway material is.

You will need to hire a skip so that the rubble and spoil can be taken away, leaving your driveway nice and clean.

Quick Tip: If you are only having one or two lift-out or telescopic bollards installed, you may be able to get away with rubble bags

If you speak with our team regarding your installation, they will be able to advise.

This is even more important if you’re looking at automatic driveway bollards as they require more extensive civil works.

 4. Make sure you maintain your bollard

While driveway bollards are sturdy pieces of kit, they do need looking after from time to time in order to ensure their longevity.

A lot like a car, a regular service can do a world of wonders, making sure you don’t run into any issues. In our experience, we recommend one service a year.

• Quick Tip: We can provide you with a bollard service kit to get you started containing everything you need to maintain your bollard on a day-to-day basis.

We also have a dedicated service department. In the event that you have problems with your driveway security bollard or indeed, someone accidentally drives into and damages your bollard, don’t panic, just give our service team a call and they can advise. If you need someone to come and take a look at your bollard, we have a number of companies we can put you in touch with who service our bollards. You can call our service team today to find out more.

 5. Give us a ring if you need advice

We talk bollards day-in-day-out, so if you need some advice or have any questions about how best to secure your driveway, give us a ring on +44 (0) 345 350 3799, and our team will be happy to help or feel free to shoot us a message on Twitter or complete the contact us form below.

You can also find a wealth of information about our range of bollards on our website including videos, datasheets, and drawings.