Do the Colour of Bollards Matter?

Bollards come in diverse colours and finishes, like yellow, black and silver, as well as paint and stainless steel. But beyond aesthetics, does bollard colour really matter when it comes to functionality? 

Below, Macs Bollards’ team of security professionals look at how thoughtful colour selection provides visual communication that can enhance safety and wayfinding. 

Safety Through Clear Visual Cues

Bollard colour plays an important role in quickly communicating essential information to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Vibrant contrasting colours help bollards stand out against their surroundings, making them more visible and reducing accidental impacts. 

In addition, they enable a clearer definition of designated areas like vehicle exclusion zones or separated bike lanes.

Besides practical uses, strategic colour coding provides an intuitive visual language. For example: 

• Yellow bollards may indicate pedestrian-only walkways to avoid.  
• White bollards could delineate parking spaces or mark travel lanes.
• Orange bollards can highlight construction zones and temporary footpaths.
• Blue bollards may guide travellers towards airport terminals.

By choosing appropriate colours with a specific purpose in mind, you can enhance clarity and safety across any environment. 

Reflective Banding for Low-Light Visibility 

As well as bold colours for daytime definition, reflective banding dramatically boosts bollard visibility under low-light conditions.

Retroreflective bands amplify and bounce light back towards its source. This catches drivers’ headlights, making bollards shine brightly in darkness. Make sure to place reflective bands strategically to further improve the delineation of the bollard’s height and perimeter shape. 

You should also use contrasting reflective colours against the primary bollard colour to provide even greater definition. Reflective banding enables bollards to maintain visual communication abilities 24/7, while enhanced low-light visibility significantly improves safety for all road users.

Aesthetic Integration with Surroundings

Bespoke bollard colouring also lets the bollards blend in better with existing architecture and landscaping on private properties or public sites. You can match colours to surroundings like painted fences, walls or paving so bollards can blend seamlessly into backgrounds when you need them to.

This way, your security doesn’t detract from the visual environment. For example, heritage sites can use period-appropriate colours to maintain the site’s unique character.

Bollard Finishes and Colour

The type of material finish used on bollards also influences the available colour options and durability:

Powder Coated

• Versatile colour – Polyester or epoxy powders offer a wide range of colour options, perfect for matching branding or adding a pop of personality.
• Potential for scratching – Scratches can expose the metal underneath, requiring touch-ups or repainting.

Painted

• Budget-friendly – A cost-effective solution for adding colour, suitable for general bollard applications.
• Maintenance concerns – Paint can chip or fade over time, requiring periodic refinishing for long-term aesthetics.

Galvanised

• Durable and corrosion-resistant – Hot dip galvanising provides a naturally silver finish with excellent protection against rust and weathering.
• Limited colour options – While some tinting is possible, extensive colour customisation is not feasible.

Stainless Steel

• Modern and low-maintenance – Offers a sleek, modern silver finish that requires minimal upkeep.
• Higher cost – Stainless steel can be pricier than other options, although its durability offers long-term value.

Plastics

• Wide colour variety – Pigmented polymers allow for various colour choices, creating unique visual possibilities.
• Lower strength – Plastics typically lack the sturdiness of steel and may not withstand heavy impacts as well.

Key Considerations for Bollard Colours

Choosing the optimal colours involves balancing aesthetics, safety, meaning and environment. Key considerations include:

• Intended location and purpose – Does the colour need to blend in or stand out?
• Meaning to convey – Does certain colouring denote restrictions, hazards, pathways? 
• Surroundings – Will colours complement or clash with the existing palette?
• Materials – How durable and colourfast are finishes like powder coats?
• Maintenance – Will your colour choice help disguise or minimise dirt and wear?
• Users – Do the colours provide sufficient distinction for the visually impaired?

Discussing your needs with experienced suppliers like Macs Bollards ensures you use the ideal colours suited to the specific application.

Simplifying Bollard Colour Choice

Bollard colours may seem a minor detail, but the right choices enhance safety through improved visibility and visual communication. Colour also enables security measures to integrate discreetly where needed.

Here at Macs, we offer a wide range of bollards to suit your needs. For advice on selecting the ideal bollard colours and finishes for your upcoming project, contact the team at Macs Bollards today on 0161 320 6463 or at enquiries@macs-bollards.com.