Bollard Lights for Pathways: Commercial, Hospitality and Municipal Grade Fixtures

Bollard lights are versatile and useful as pathway lights — and they’re everywhere! In urban and suburban areas, bollard lights are commonly used to illuminate walkways, parking lots, boardwalks, pathways, and building entrances. Used as walkway lights in commercial, municipal, hospitality, and residential applications, bollard lights provide illumination for safe egress, enhanced security, and of course, ambiance. Access Fixtures’ bollard lights are available in a huge variety of styles, colors, finishes, and sizes to provide the pathway lights you need for your application.  

Bollard Light Optics for Pathways

The first factor that one must consider when purchasing bollard lights is optics. Choice of optics determines how light is distributed. Walkway lights by Access Fixtures and specifically bollard lights have three main types of optics:

• Louvers: Bollard lights with louvers, such as the VAND or LUVO bollard lights,  emit light down toward the ground. The LEDs are mounted in the head aiming down and out. The louvers block the light source from direct view  reducing glare and serving as excellent walkway lights.
• Prismatic Glass: Prismatic glass provides a view of the light source through prismatic, borosilicate glass. This provides a softly diffused effect and pleasant ambiance. Type V has broad light distribution and high efficacy. The effect is similar to a post-lamp light fixture, but the light is less intense and is refracted by the glass. If light trespass is an issue, an optional light shield is available to prevent this.
• Cone Reflector: Bollards with cone reflectors provide an abundance of light. The light source is inside and beneath the cone. Light is bounced off the top of the reflector and then off the outside of the cone, directing the light up and outwards.

Bollard Light Styles

Bollard light fixtures are available in different shapes, the most common of which are round and square. Round bollards come with a choice of dome or flat top, while square bollard lights are available exclusively with flat tops. Dome top bollard lights may be more suited to college campuses and areas outside of bars and restaurants for the simple reason that people cannot rest drinks on top of them. Square flat-top bollard lights lend an architectural air of elegance to a garden or pathway. No matter the application, there is an Access Fixtures bollard light style to fit your desire. Choose the design that best fits in your space. Some examples of bollard lights sold by Access Fixtures with unique styles are listed below.

• RUGA – RUGA is a sleek dome-top bollard light perfect for restaurant walkways and college campuses.
• ATRI – A unique open design makes the ATRI very aesthetically modern. Available in both round flat-top and square flat-top design.
• TEFA – This bollard light is available in both square and round flat-top design.
• STOR – STOR is a pyramid-top bollard light finished in architectural bronze. Contact us for more information about the STOR model.

Bollard Light Functions

Access Fixtures bollard lights are also available in different functional styles as well.

• Turtle-Friendly: Access Fixtures’ turtle-friendly bollard lights emit amber light at 590 nanometers so that turtles and wildlife cannot see it.
• Marine Grade: MARI bollard lights are finished in a marine-grade coating and have no exterior lens, perfect for beachside areas.
• Stainless Steel: 316 stainless steel bollards are the most durable and heavy-duty bollards currently offered.
• Vandal-Resistant: VAND vandal resistant bollards have no exterior lens, are louvered, and come in extra-tall sizes.
• Medium Socket: Medium-socket bollard lights allow for quick and easy replacement of LED lamps.

Bollard Light Spacing

Once you’ve decided that you need bollard lights for your project, determining how many of them you need to purchase will first depend on how far apart they need to be spaced. Access Fixtures has ran photometric analyses of every bollard light style that is sold to determine the optimal spacing between groups of bollard lights. This is based on the idea that there should always be 1 footcandle of light on walkways and paths as shown in the image to the right. Click the “Bollard Light Spacing” image to the right to learn more about how to space your bollard lights.

If your lighting project requires a specific footcandle level, a photometric analysis can simulate the result of a proposed lighting solution before you purchase.

Bollard Light Installation

If you have old bollard lights and you are looking to replace them with new Access Fixtures bollard lights, there are several factors you must consider. If you need to pour new cement, visit this page and download Access Fixtures’ bollard light installation instructions PDF. In many cases, if the original bolts still remain in place, Access Fixtures’ SIRU bollard light replacement kit is an inexpensive and convenient way to replace your old bollard lights easily with new ones, no cement pouring needed.

Custom-Colored Bollard Lights

Why limit your new illuminated bollards to bronze or black when you can custom-finish bollard luminaires in any RAL color? RAL colors make up a universal color-matching system used to define standard colors for paint and coatings. With RAL colors, architects and project managers can seamlessly match the color of all fixtures and design elements on a property. Please note that custom-finished bollard lights can add up to three to six weeks to standard lead times

Bollard Lights and Voltage

Voltage for US residences is typically 120v, while residences in the Caribbean can be 120v or 240v depending on the island. The voltage in commercial facilities varies from 120v to 480v and commercial facilities frequently use multiple voltages. While the voltage at residential US and Caribbean properties is pretty straightforward, managers of commercial facilities in any location need to know the line voltage where the bollard light(s) are being installed. Bollard light fixtures must have a ballast or driver that works with the line voltage at the point of installation.

Since the voltage may not be known before purchasing, many bollard lights come equipped to handle multiple voltages. Many LED bollard luminaires have drivers that handle voltages from 120v to 277v.

Bollard Lights and Kelvin

Kelvin temperature can play an important role in the selection of a bollard light. Kelvin is a measurement of the warmth of a light source. Lower Kelvins can create a warm, homey atmosphere, while higher Kelvins are traditionally associated with corporate and industrial settings. Access Fixtures’ integrated LED array bollard lights are available in multiple choices of Kelvin, ranging from 2700K to 5700K.

Medium socket bollard lights are fully customizable — choose any lamp that fits inside in a wide range of Kelvin temperatures. Medium socket bollard lights generally fit most A19 and A21 lamps. Most customers choose bollard lights in 3000K, 4000K, or 5000K. Consult with a lighting specialist if you are wondering what Kelvin your bollard light project requires.

Commercial Stone and Concrete Bollard Lights

 Are you looking for a different kind of bollard light than a traditional one piece fixture? Check out Access Fixtures’ new line of TOPR outdoor bollard light toppers. Also known as pillar top lights or outdoor column lights, these luminaires are meant to mount atop stone, wood, or concrete pillars that are 7″ x  7″ or 7″ in diameter. Easy flush mount design makes installation a breeze.

TOPR is available in bronze, black, or custom RAL to match any pillar. These fixtures are IP65 rated, extreme life, and available with either a clear or opalescent diffuser lens for maximum light output.

These fixtures eliminate the need to purchase an entire concrete or stone bollard light in one go and save money and time while providing a unique architectural solution for those looking for lighting along walkways, entranceways, driveways, parking lots, hospitality buildings, and more. 

For more information about commercial stone and concrete TOPR fixtures, click the image to the right.