Stainless Steel vs Mild Steel Bollards: Which is Right for Your Project?

When it comes to controlling access, protecting property, or defining pedestrian areas, bollards are one of the most versatile and effective solutions. But choosing the right material can make a significant difference in cost, durability, maintenance, and aesthetics. At Aremco Barriers, we manufacture mild steel bollards in-house and supply stainless steel bollards from trusted suppliers, giving our clients flexible options for any project.

In this post, we break down the differences between stainless steel and mild steel bollards, helping you make an informed decision.

Stainless Steel Bollards

✅ Pros:

• Corrosion-resistant: Stainless steel naturally resists rust and is ideal for outdoor environments, particularly in coastal or high-moisture areas.
• Low maintenance: Occasional cleaning is usually enough to keep them looking polished.
• Aesthetic appeal: Sleek, modern finish that suits commercial, urban, or premium sites.
• Durable: Resistant to dents and long-lasting, even under frequent use.

❌ Cons:

• Higher cost: Stainless steel is more expensive than mild steel, which can affect project budgets.
• Slightly heavier: Stainless steel is denser than mild steel, and bollards are often designed with thicker walls to meet impact and strength standards, which makes installation slightly more challenging.
• Limited finish options: Typically polished or brushed; painting is less common.

Mild Steel Bollards

✅ Pros:

• Manufactured in-house: Fully customisable to your drawings or site requirements.
• Cost-effective: More affordable than stainless steel, making it ideal for larger projects or tighter budgets.
• Customisable finishes: Easy to paint or powder-coat in any colour to match branding or site requirements.
• Strong and durable: Excellent impact resistance for high-traffic areas.

❌ Cons:

• Prone to rust: Mild steel requires a protective coating to prevent corrosion, especially outdoors.
• Maintenance required: Periodic inspection, repainting, or recoating is needed to maintain appearance and durability.
• Shorter lifespan outdoors: Even with protective coatings, mild steel may need replacing sooner than stainless steel in harsh environments.

Understanding Bollard Weight

A common question is why stainless steel bollards are slightly heavier than mild steel ones. The main reasons are:

1. Density: Stainless steel is denser (~7.9–8.0 g/cm³) than mild steel (~7.85 g/cm³).
2. Wall thickness: Stainless steel bollards are often designed with thicker walls to ensure structural strength and impact resistance.
3. Protective coatings: Mild steel bollards rely on paint or powder coatings for corrosion protection, allowing slightly thinner walls.

✅ Result: Stainless steel bollards are marginally heavier, which can affect handling and installation but ensures durability and longevity.

Why Work with Aremco Barriers?

At Aremco Barriers, we provide high-quality bollards tailored to your project:

• Mild steel bollards are manufactured in-house, so we can meet custom designs, bespoke sizes, and site-specific requirements.
• Stainless steel bollards are sourced from trusted suppliers, ensuring consistent quality and durability.

Whether your project is commercial, industrial, or public, we can help you select the right bollard to meet your budget, aesthetic, and functional requirements.

💬 Get in touch today to discuss your bollard requirements or request a quote.