Outdoor Lighting:

How to choose the right bollard

LED bollard lights are a versatile and efficient solution for outdoor lighting. Thanks to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and ability to create clear and comfortable visual pathways, LED bollards are ideal for lighting walkways, gardens, courtyards, and pedestrian areas with both functional and decorative illumination.

Choosing the right bollard depends on several design factors, including functionality, architectural style, visual comfort, and material durability.

Design and materials: durability and aesthetic coherence

Modern stainless-steel bollards are among the most high-performing outdoor lighting solutions, offering excellent resistance to weather conditions, long-term durability, and stable performance even in challenging environments.

HCT (Hard Coating Treatment) finishes provide additional surface protection against corrosion and dulling, while improving color integration with the surrounding landscape.

Bollards are therefore not just light sources, they are essential elements of landscape lighting design, capable of enhancing pathways, borders, social spaces, and gardens.

Energy efficiency and LED technology

Low-consumption LED bollards deliver high luminous efficiency, reducing operating costs and environmental impact compared to traditional lighting solutions.

Using energy-optimized LED technology is key to ensuring low maintenance costs and achieving uniform, comfortable lighting across outdoor spaces.

How to choose the height of a bollard

The height of a bollard directly affects light distribution, ground-level intensity, and the fixture’s visual impact.

1) Coverage area

• Low bollards (up to 50 cm / 20 in): focused light for pathways and small walkways
• Medium bollards (50–100 cm / 20–40 in): broader coverage for gardens and courtyards
• High bollards (>100 cm / 40 in): ideal for large open areas, parking lots, and public spaces

2) Intensity and directionality

• Low bollards: highly directional light with minimal glare
• Medium bollards: combination of direct and diffused light without creating harsh shadows
• High bollards: soft, evenly diffused illumination

3) Safety and visibility

• Low bollards enhance path visibility without glare
• Medium and high bollards improve overall visibility and safety perception

4) Landscape aesthetics

• Low bollards: discreet and minimal
• Medium bollards: balanced presence and light
• High bollards: provide wide, diffuse lighting that increases general visibility

Installation and maintenance of outdoor bollards

Proper installation is essential to ensure optimal performance over time. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines guarantees stability, safety, and durability.

Although stainless steel requires less maintenance than other materials, periodic checks are necessary to preserve luminous performance and resistance to environmental stress.

Read also: Stainless steel - everything you need to know

Professional use and lighting design

For complex projects, such as public area lighting or landscape lighting schemes, it is crucial to involve experienced outdoor lighting professionals. Designing effective outdoor lighting requires a careful evaluation of client needs, site characteristics, and lighting solutions that enhance safety and visual appeal while integrating seamlessly into the environment.

Contact us for a tailored lighting consultation

Choosing the right bollard is more than selecting a lighting fixture: it involves evaluating performance, visual comfort, energy efficiency, and durability in the context of the overall project. With a wide range of LED solutions, modern designs, and durable materials like stainless steel, you can create safe, welcoming, and sustainable outdoor spaces.