Mild Steel vs Stainless Steel Bollards: What’s the Difference? | Aremco Barriers

When choosing steel bollards for a site, one of the decisions you may come across is whether to use mild steel or stainless steel.

Although both materials can be used to manufacture bollards, they have different characteristics, finishes, maintenance requirements and appearances.

So, which is the better choice?

The answer depends largely on where the bollards will be installed, what they are being used for and the appearance required.

What Is a Mild Steel Bollard?

Mild steel is widely used for the manufacture of bollards, barriers, gates and other steel access-control products.

It is strong, versatile and can be fabricated into a wide range of bollard designs and sizes.

However, untreated mild steel is susceptible to corrosion when exposed to moisture and the elements. For external applications, mild steel bollards therefore normally require a protective finish.

Common options include:

• Hot-dip galvanising
• Powder coating
• Galvanising followed by powder coating

A suitable finish can provide a mild steel bollard with excellent protection for external use.

What Is a Stainless Steel Bollard?

Stainless steel contains alloying elements, particularly chromium, which help it resist corrosion.

Unlike mild steel, stainless steel does not normally rely on a painted or galvanised outer coating to provide its basic corrosion resistance.

This makes stainless steel particularly popular where appearance is important.

Stainless steel bollards are commonly seen outside:

offices, retail developments, public buildings, pedestrian areas, commercial premises and modern architectural developments.

They are often supplied with a brushed or polished finish, giving them a distinctive appearance.

Mild Steel vs Stainless Steel Bollards

There isn't a single material that is best for every application.

Is Stainless Steel Stronger Than Mild Steel?

This isn't as straightforward as it might appear.

The term stainless steel describes a family of different steel grades, while the strength of a bollard also depends on factors including its:

diameter or section size, wall thickness, design, fixing method and installation.

The material alone therefore shouldn't be used to determine how effective a bollard will be.

For example, a substantial mild steel bollard correctly installed into a suitable foundation may be considerably more appropriate for a particular application than a smaller stainless steel bollard.

When comparing bollards, look at the complete specification, rather than simply whether the product is manufactured from mild or stainless steel.

Does Stainless Steel Rust?

Stainless steel is highly corrosion resistant, but describing it as completely rust-proof can be misleading.

Its performance depends on factors such as the grade of stainless steel used and the environment in which it is installed.

Surface contamination and aggressive environments can still cause staining or corrosion.

This is particularly important in coastal locations or areas exposed to salts and chemicals, where an appropriate stainless steel grade should be selected.

What Are the Advantages of Mild Steel Bollards?

One of the biggest advantages of mild steel is its versatility.

Bollards can be fabricated in numerous shapes, sizes and configurations and then finished according to the requirements of the site.

Powder coating also provides considerable freedom when it comes to colour.

This can be useful where bollards need to:

stand out for visibility, complement existing street furniture, match company colours or incorporate contrasting bands.

Hot-dip galvanising can be selected where long-term corrosion protection is the priority, while galvanising followed by powder coating combines corrosion protection with a coloured decorative finish.

What Are the Advantages of Stainless Steel Bollards?

The principal advantages of stainless steel are its corrosion resistance and appearance.

Its clean metallic finish works particularly well in areas where the bollards form part of the overall appearance of a development.

Stainless steel also doesn't have a powder-coated surface that can chip and expose a differently coloured material underneath.

It does, however, still require care.

Dirt, road grime, salts and other contaminants can collect on the surface, so periodic cleaning may be required to maintain its appearance.

Which Is Better for Car Parks?

For many car parks and industrial sites, galvanised or powder-coated mild steel bollards can provide a practical and cost-effective solution.

These locations often prioritise:

durability, visibility, cost and ease of replacement over an architectural finish.

Bright powder-coated colours and reflective bands can also help make bollards more noticeable to drivers and pedestrians.

Stainless steel may be preferred for prestigious commercial car parks, office developments or locations where appearance forms an important part of the specification.

Which Is Better for Commercial Buildings?

This depends on the design of the building and the purpose of the bollard.

For a modern office development, stainless steel bollards may complement glazing, stainless handrails and other architectural features.

For service yards, delivery areas, warehouses and industrial premises, galvanised or powder-coated mild steel may be the more practical choice.

There is no reason why both cannot be used on the same development where different areas have different requirements.

Don't Forget the Bollard Installation

Material selection is only one part of choosing a bollard.

You should also consider whether the bollard needs to be:

root fixed, bolt down, removable, telescopic or another specialist design.

The correct fixing method will depend on the application, existing ground conditions and the purpose of the bollard.

A decorative bollard intended primarily to guide traffic has very different requirements from a substantial steel bollard being installed to protect a building, doorway or piece of equipment.

Mild Steel or Stainless Steel – Which Should I Choose?

As a general guide, mild steel bollards are an excellent choice where strength, versatility, colour options and value are priorities.

Stainless steel bollards are particularly attractive where corrosion resistance and architectural appearance are important.

Rather than choosing based on material alone, consider the complete application:

What is the bollard protecting? Where will it be installed? What environment will it be exposed to? Does it need to be highly visible? What appearance is required? How will it be fixed?

Answering these questions will make it much easier to choose the right bollard for the site.