Bollard Lights

Bollard Lights

A bollard is a short post that lights the ground around it. It marks the edge of a path without shining into anyone's eyes, which is why it has become the standard for walkways in both gardens and commercial sites.

Spacing and height

Setting Height Spacing
Garden path 24 – 36 in 8 – 10 ft
Driveway edge 36 – 42 in 10 – 15 ft
Commercial walkway 36 – 42 in 12 – 15 ft
Car park 42 in 15 – 20 ft

Stagger them side to side along a path rather than lining them up in pairs. Staggered bollards cover the same ground with fewer fixtures and look less like runway markers.

How the light comes out

  • Shielded downward — light goes to the ground only. The best choice near windows and the usual requirement under dark-sky rules.
  • 360 degree — light all round. Brighter overall, but it will glare if you are looking along the path.
  • Directional — a single side opening. Useful for washing a wall or edging a driveway.

Line voltage or low voltage?

Low-voltage 12V runs on a transformer, uses thinner cable, and can be buried shallow — far easier for a retrofit in an existing garden. Line-voltage 120V suits long commercial runs where you need the fixtures further apart than a transformer can drive.

Related

For taller fixtures at a driveway entrance, see outdoor post lights. For uplighting trees and beds, see landscape lights.