Bollard lights are short posts that light paths, driveways and parking areas at ground level, guiding people safely without glare. They are sturdier and brighter than small path lights, which makes them a favourite for estates and commercial sites. OutdoorLighting.co.za is a free quote service. You fill in one form describing the bollard lights outdoor you need, and we pass it to independent local lighting suppliers, electricians and installers, who quote you directly. We do not sell, stock, install or repair anything ourselves, and there is no fee or obligation. Tell us the length of path or driveway to light.
Heights and spacing
Bollards are usually between about 450 mm and 1,000 mm tall:
- 450 to 650 mm: garden lights bollards for paths, beds and patios, where you want a low, soft glow
- 650 to 800 mm: the common choice for residential driveways and estate walkways
- 800 to 1,000 mm: commercial walkways and parking, where bollards must be seen
As a rough guide, space them about 3 to 5 metres apart on paths, and a little further on driveways, so pools of light just meet. On a curved driveway, staggering them on alternate sides often looks better than a straight double row, and uses fewer fittings.
Stainless steel or aluminium
Stainless steel bollards look sharp and resist corrosion, but choose 316 grade near the coast, as 304 can tea-stain in salt air. Powder-coated aluminium is lighter, cheaper and comes in black, charcoal or bronze to blend with planting. For high-traffic sites, a thicker wall and an impact-resistant polycarbonate diffuser stand up to bumps from cars and trolleys. Louvred heads direct light down, which cuts glare and light spill. A 360-degree head lights all around the bollard, while a 180-degree head throws light only onto the path, which suits bollards beside a boundary wall or a neighbour's window.
Solar bollards
Solar bollards need no trenching, which saves a lot on long driveways and farm roads, and they stay on through load-shedding. Their output is lower than mains bollards and depends on sun, so they suit marking edges rather than lighting a busy car park. Look for a replaceable battery and a panel angled to catch the sun, and keep panels clear of dust and leaves. Compare options on our solar garden lights and solar lights pages.
Footings and installation
Bollards bolt to a concrete footing or an anchor cage cast into the ground, so they stay upright when knocked. Mains bollards need armoured cable or conduit laid in a trench, a weatherproof junction in each base and a registered electrician's Certificate of Compliance (CoC). Planning the cable route before paving is laid saves lifting it later. For a full plan, see garden lights and outdoor lighting installation.
What to include in your request
- Give the length of the path or driveway
- Choose a height between 450 and 1,000 mm
- Say stainless steel, aluminium or solar
- Mention whether paving is already laid
- Note coastal salt air or vehicle traffic
Bollard Lights for different properties
- Homes: a row of bollards along the driveway and the path to the front door
- Estates and complexes: matching bollards along internal roads, walkways and visitor parking
- Farms and smallholdings: solar bollards marking the long driveway, gate and farmhouse parking
- Shops and offices: tall bollards along office park walkways, entrances and parking bays
- Industrial sites: heavy-duty bollards marking pedestrian routes beside vehicle yards
- Lodges, guesthouses and venues: low bollards guiding guests along lodge paths and to chalets
- Municipalities, schools and clubs: vandal-resistant bollards in parks, promenades and public squares
Frequently asked questions
Does OutdoorLighting.co.za sell bollard lights?
What is the difference between bollards and path lights?
Can bollard lights be installed in existing paving?
How much do bollard lights cost?
Bollard Lights by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester