How to Select the Proper Bollard Cover Manufacturer
To the untrained eye, bollard covers are just a large piece of plastic that goes over cement or metal posts so they no longer need to be painted. Since most people simply order them out of a catalogue, they may not be aware of the different manufacturers of bollard covers. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages for each of them.
This web site provides you valuable information on how to evaluate bollard covers so you can make an informed decision about the best product and where to purchase it.
Manufacturing Methods
An important factor in selecting a bollard cover is the manufacturing method. Most of the bollard covers in the U.S. are made by the blow molded or rotationally molded method.
Blow molding is by far the best way to obtain:- Maximum tensile strength
- Resilience
- Distribution of UV additives
- Color distribution
- Production cycle times
- Better quality
- Price
However, blow molding requires a much larger investment in a mold and some manufacturers have not made the necessary investment.
Rotationally molding is used by manufactures to make uncommon sizes and shapes due to the high expense of creating a mold for blow molding. However, rotational molding has some advantages. It’s easier to make a:
- Custom color
- Custom shape or size
The bad news is this process can create inconsistencies within the product including appearance and strength.
The bottom line? Ask how the bollard covers are produced. Overall, the blow molded product usually performs best.
Appearance
If you drive around and look at bollards, you’ll often see them wrap with reflective tape. Why? Installing bollards is expensive and good reflectivity at night is not only a safety issue, but also reduces the very expensive process of replacing bent bollards and poles. Most bollard cover manufacturers will place two bands of reflective tape on their plastic bollard covers, usually, at no added cost. Make sure the tape is not an afterthought.
Better yet; some manufacturers have two recessed stripe areas near the top of the product to hold the reflective tape. This design extends the life of the tape and assures the covers look good for many years.
Fading
UV stabilizers improve the part’s resistance to the sun and weather conditions. When it comes to fading, the stabilizers blend better with blow molded process that rotational molded process. That’s a key reason why blow molded covers usually out-perform rotationally molded ones by several years. Inquire about the product’s UV protection and make sure the part is warranted against fading.
Opacity
Opacity refers to the degree which light is not allowed to pass through the material. Nothing looks worse than driving up to a multi-million dollar facility on a bright, sunny day and being able to see the outline of the bollard through the plastic cover. Some covers are so transparent, it doesn’t even have to be a sunny day. Now that’s bad! This condition usually happens with a rotationally molded process which has difficulty of evenly distributing the colorant. These problems can be overcome with additional colorant but some manufacturers just do not bother with the additional cost.
Installation Method
One of the most common questions asked by bollard cover buyers is, “What will stop the kids from taking the covers off the poles?” The answer can be found with the installation method. While some manufacturers do not offer any installation method (be suspicious!), many will use double sided tape, plastic adhesive tabs or expansion foam. Each method has a different level of effectiveness. For example, adhesive is subject to deterioration, especially after a few years of temperature changes. When the adhesive breaks down, the cover can be easily removed.
Expansion foam which is sprayed from a can into a small hole in the cover, works a little better since it is adhesive-free and it allows for more variance in pole sizes. You may have to purchase the expansion form separately from the cover.
One of the best methods is the use of pre-cut strips of foam without the use of any adhesives. Usually, a few strips of foam a laid over the metal bollard while the cover slides over and compresses the strips to form a tight and secure fit.
Be sure to ask how the cover is installed and make sure it does not use adhesives.
Shipping
Generally, bollard covers are expensive to ship. While an individual cover is not heavy, it takes-up a lot of room on the delivery (i.e., UPS, FedEx Ground, etc) truck. A way to reduce the shipping charge is to purchase many parts at the same time. While this may sound like a sales tactic, it’s not uncommon to see a per cover freight charge drop 50-70% if the order is large enough to ship on a pallet.
Another way to reduce the freight charge is to select a vendor centrally located in the U.S.
Packaging is also important. If you’re ordering less than a pallet of product, be sure your covers will ship in a corrugated box. The box helps protect the parts from shipping damage. Simply shrink-wrapping covers are not a proper method to ship them unless they’re shipped on a skid.
Sizes
Most manufacturers have covers for 4” and 6” bollards. This can be a problem since bollards come in all sizes and shapes. Nothing looks worse than a hodgepodge of different brand bollard covers. When selecting a bollard cover manufacturer, make certain they have wide range of sizes and shapes. It is not uncommon to find bollards as large as 12 ¾”. There are also a growing number of square bollards on the market. A manufacturer should have a full line-up of covers for 4”, 6”, 8”, 10” and 12” diameter bollards. Square bollard covers are a plus! Your goal should be one-stop shopping.
Color and Availability
A comprehensive manufacturer should have 10 or more standard colors. They should also have a sizeable inventory to make sure you are not waiting for weeks until “the next production run”.
Customer Service
After researching the company online, call and ask for the sales department. They should have a toll free number and be a knowledgeable resource for everything related to bollards, covers bolt down bollards, speed bumps and property protection products.
They should also be friendly, courteous and helpful. You’ll like doing business with that kind of company.
Price
Of course price is important! Most of the time, you’ll get the best price when dealing directly with the manufacturer. But remember, price is not the only determinant! There is no point in saving 3 or 4 dollars on a cover if you experience poor customer service or discover there is no installation assistance, or only an adhesive installation method or a poor warranty.
Please use the information you have learned from this site and make an educated bollard cover buy!