BUYING GUIDE
Bollards
This guide offers a simple overview of high-security bollards built to help protect important buildings, public spaces, and business properties.
Bollards
Different types and use cases
Storefront Bollards
These sturdy metal bollards offer a high degree of customization in features like diameter size, wall thickness, and cap style. Due to their smaller size, they're perfect for low security areas where large vehicles are unable to get up to speeds higher than 10mph.
Common use cases:
• Storefronts
Traffic Bollards
Traffic bollards are highly cost-effective bollard options for a variety of different uses. Designed for fast and simple installation, these durable bollards offer formidable security for car parks, pedestrian zones, storefronts, and urban settings.
Common use cases:
Automatic Retractable (NON-RATED)
These bollards are perfect protecting facilities and providing convenient access to vehicles and emergency services when needed. They sit flush with the surface when retracted and fast operation designs can provide protection from vehicles in under two seconds.
Common use cases:
• Driveways
• Parking lots
• Private streets
Fixed
These permanent barriers are embedded in the ground and offer a variety of crash-rated designs for long-term protection from accidental or intentional impacts. Shallow mount options are available for installations above existing underground utilities or other excavation limitations.
Common use cases:
Removable
Available in standard and shallow-mount, these bollards are designed to easily slide in and out of the ground for additional flexibility in access control. They're inserted into an underground-mounted sleeve, with crash-rated designs available, to provide protection while allowing temporary access when needed.
Common use cases:
• Churches
• Public parking lots
• Parks
Manual Retractable
Raised and lowered by hand with lift assist or a hand crank, these manually operated retractable bollards are a less expensive bollard option for businesses that need protection and the ability to provide temporary access. When lowered, they sit flush the ground so vehicles and emergency services can access the perimeter when needed.
Common use cases:
• Driveways
• Parking lots
• Private streets
Automatic Retractable (CERTIFIED)
The ultimate bollard option, automatic retractable bollards are operated remotely or through an integrated access control system. They offer flexibility and customization on aesthetic features, making them a highly desired solution for managing vehicle access and deploying crash-rated protecting for facilities and occupants.
Common use cases:
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
What to know before choosing
What are the upkeep requirements for bollards?
Different types of bollards have different maintenance requirements, but generally permanent and passive bollards require minimal maintenance while retractable and removeable bollards require periodic service. If bollards are installed in harsh weather environments, they should be checked often to ensure they’re functioning correctly.
What kind of customization do you need?
Our bollards can be covered with decorative bollard sleeves, custom powder-coated colors, custom branding, or incorporated into the architectural design to improve visuals while enhancing security.
What types of weather and elements are at your site?
If your bollards are going to be in harsh weather environments, they could degrade faster than in normal conditions. Our bollards can be made with weather-resistant materials and powder coated for an extended lifetime. They can also be covered with bollard sleeves for enhanced aesthetics and improved protection from the elements.
Do you have any excavation challenges?
If there are underground utilities or any soil/concrete limitations, it could dictate which types of bollards can be installed at your site. Standard bollard installation requires anywhere from 4-6 feet of excavation depth, whereas shallow mount bollards only require 2 feet and still offer crash-rated protection.
What types of vehicles do you need protection from?
Our bollards come with different crash-ratings, including M30/P1 and M50/P1. Any bollards with an M30/P1 rating can stop a 15,000 pound vehicle traveling at 30 mph, and M50/P1 rated bollards can stop a 15,000 pound truck traveling at 50 mph.
Is vehicle access needed where bollards are installed?
We have a variety of different bollard types to accommodate occasional vehicle access. Our retractable bollards can be raised and lowered as needed, and our removeable bollards can be removed and re-installed as needed. If vehicle access isn’t necessary, our fixed bollards offer a permanent solution to perimeter protection.
Do you need vehicle ramming protection?
If you’re looking for high security with crash-rated protection, many of our bollards offer M30 and M50 crash-rated options. For lighter security needs, we also have non-rated bollards that still provide a high degree of protection.
Bollards
How do different types compare?
SECURITY | RATINGS | FOUNDATION | COST | |
Storefront Bollards | ★ ★ ☆ ☆☆ | Non-rated | Standard | 💲 |
Traffic Bollards | ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ | C40, S30 | Standard | 💲💲 |
Automatic Retractable (NON-RATED) | ★ ★ ☆ ☆☆ | Non-rated | Standard | 💲💲💲 |
Fixed | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | M30, M50 | Standard, Shallow | 💲💲 |
Removable | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ | M30, M50 | Standard, Shallow | 💲💲 |
Manual Retractable | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ | M30, M50 | Standard | 💲💲💲 |
Automatic Retractable (CERTIFIED) | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ | M30 | Standard | 💲💲💲💲 |
Bollards
What are the real costs?
What factors influence the overall cost?
The type of bollard (fixed, retractable, crash-rated, etc.) and crash-protection level are the biggest price drivers. Other variables include power supply, wiring, finishes, and advanced technology options. Site conditions also matter excavation limitations, extreme weather, and location can all affect installation costs.
Can I save money by installing multiple bollards?
Yes — per-unit pricing goes down when multiple bollards are installed together because labor and equipment costs are shared.
What payment or financing options are available?
Many integrators offer phased payment schedules, financing plans, or bundle barriers with larger security projects.
Do bollards increase property value or reduce insurance costs?
Often yes, bollards improve safety, reduce liability, and in high-risk industries can lower insurance premiums.
How long does installation take?
Standard installs take 1-3 days while complex or deep foundation or crash-rated systems take up to a week or more.
Can I expect any hidden costs?
A reputable integrator should provide transparent pricing with no surprises. While unforeseen conditions (like underground utilities) can add costs, you should know about them upfront.
How do lifetime costs compare to initial costs?
Initial costs include any security assessments, design assistance, installation, and training –– generally a one-time cost. Lifetime costs include maintenance, repairs, and operations ––ongoing costs but smaller per occurrence. Preventative maintenance reduces long-term expenses and necessary downtime.
What factors influence the overall cost of automated gates?
The type of gate (slide, swing, cantilever, bi-fold, pivot) being installed and the level of crash protection are the biggest influences on price. Other factors include power supply, wiring, material, finish, and advanced technology options. Outside of gate-specific factors, excavation limitations, extreme weather/environments, and geographical location also influence the installation cost.
What industry factors cause price variations?
Different manufacturers and equipment lines create wide price ranges. Project timelines, anticipated challenges, and even tariffs on imported equipment can add costs. Integrators with broader manufacturer access may offer more pricing flexibility.
What’s the price range for a single bollard installation?
Most businesses can expect $2,000–$5,000 per bollard, including materials, labor, equipment, and site-specific needs.
What makes physical security integrators more or less affordable?
Scope of services: specialized knowledge in high-security installs cost more than basic providers. In addition, threat level affects price: high-security, crash-rated solutions are more expensive than light-duty options.
Bollards
How do the costs compare?
PRICE RANGE | INSTALL TIME | SPACE NEEDED | |
Mobile/Portable Bollard | $2,000 - $4,000 | <1 day | Minimal space |
Surface Mount Bollard | $1,500 - $3,500 | 1-2 days | <1 foot of underground excavation and a hole wider than the bollard diameter. |
Retractable/Automated Bollard | $5,000 - $12,000 | 3-7 days | 3-5 feet underground excavation and a hole width larger than the diameter of the bollard. |
Fixed (crash-rated) Bollard | $2,000 - $5,000 | 2-4 days | 4-8 feet underground excavation and at minimum a hole width 12 inches wider than the diameter of the bollard. |
Fixed (non crash-rated) Bollard | $800 - $2,000 | 1-2 days | 4-8 feet underground excavation and at minimum a hole width 12 inches wider than the diameter of the bollard. |
*While IronSite strives for accuracy, the above-listed price ranges are general approximations for informational purposes only and might not reflect actual costs. Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Most recently updated November 2025.