Biggest Considerations in Choosing the Best Flagpoles

Whether it is for personal use or business use, picking the best flagpole is very important as it might mean danger and waste of money when overlooked. Like flag, there are hundreds of shapes, sizes, colors, materials and built to choose from when buying a flagpole, and it is important that you know the best choices especially if it is meant for public display.

To help you choose the perfect match for your flag or place, here are the most important things for you to consider.

1. Type of flagpole

The type of flagpole corresponds to the purpose. There are four typical types of flagpoles: the parade and indoor pole, mounted pole, in-ground permanent flagpole and the in-ground telescoping or also called sectional flagpole. The bigger they are, the more expensive they can get. The more expensive they are, the more durable and harder they get.

The first two types are best for home use and private office use, while the latter two are for businesses and government offices. Nonetheless, the in-ground type can still be used as a landscape centerpiece in your backyard.

Indoor flag pole is preferred for display in office and home because it is more manageable. With size ranging from six to twelve feet, you can buy this type for over $50 but often not exceeding $100. As it is meant to mount a pole-sleeve flag, its joints are often retractable and adjustable. For best choice, brass or chrome finishes always win.

Some varieties come with adjustable bodies. To keep this type of flagpole elegant when displayed, decorative rings and ornaments can be bought to add accents. A complementing floor stand will also keep the flag hoisted all the time. When buying, just make sure that the pole has rounded bottom to fit in stands and the edge tapered to make decorating more convenient.

Mounted flagpole is often sold in two- to five-foot length and has bigger diameter to support the weight of the whole pole when hanging. Top accessories for this are brackets and rings made of die-cast aluminums so it can be suspended from 10 to 45 degrees. The pole itself can be cheaper than that of a parade type, but the needed accessories make it more expensive sometimes.

The outdoor types, the permanent and telescopic in-ground poles, stand anywhere between 15 to 100 feet in height. The rule of thumb is, a 20-foot pole should be at least 2.5 inches in diameter. Add another half inch for every 20 feet in additional length.

Although both types have the same built and material, the permanent one has ground sleeve buried under with cemented base while the telescopic type has a ground dock latched onto a cemented surface for easier detaching. Should you prefer to hang two different flags at the same time, an in-ground telescopic flagpole is what you need.

There are dozen more types of flagpoles that are less used, such as tabletop flagpole, motorcycle flagpole, wonder pole and boating flagpole. Make sure you pick the right flagpole for the right purpose.

2. Material of flagpole

The industry of pole making prefers aluminum for material due to its lighter built which is best for erecting yet is cheaper compared to harder alloys. However, not all flagpole types have the same material.

Indoor and parade marching poles are best when made from hardwood to match the dock and pieces of furniture inside the home or office. Oak is recommended for easy hand-carrying while silver and gold bodies are advised for formal marches and ceremonies. Mounted types are often available in aluminum, wood and fiber glass. The same goes for in-ground counterparts, although Superflex (a brand of flexible plastic) is now popularly used on telescoping flagpoles.

Although fiber glass is a common material, this is not advisable for country flags as it is deemed informal. It is recommended for design flags and company logos, nevertheless.

3. Accessories

Accessories are important parts of flagpoles because some types cannot work properly without them. Docks and bases are imperative for indoor type as they allow the pole to stand upright. Brackets and rings enable latching on walls, notwithstanding the type of weather. Ground sleeves and ground docks make erection possible and safe from falling.

There are optional yet equally important accessories for flagpoles. Adjustable bands for cord and tassels are more convenient to use than permanent ones, while display cases add elegance to the flag itself. Tab rings for mounting are indispensable accessories and you can have them in different shapes and colors to match your wall.

Probably the most popular accessory of all is the acorn end because it serves as design and at the same time, safety cap for toothed edge. Other additional accessories include, clips, cord and lighting, which is best added for showcased flags and putting accent at home.

All in all, decorative accessories with patriotic symbolism best match flags.

4. Flag

That is right! You need to consider the flag itself as choosing a disproportional pole can pose danger. Most in-ground flagpoles are made to stand gusts travelling at 30 to 40 miles per hour. You need to buy a specialized flag pole if you are in a windy state.

Similarly, if a disproportion flag is used in a well-built pole, it may still topple down when blown. The rule of thumb is that the height of the flag should never exceed more than 20% of the height of the flagpole. Not following this rule can lead to accidents especially when the pole is erected in a residential compound.

Most flag stores offer flagpoles of all kinds. Top online stores, such as American Flag Store, Flag and Banner, and Flag Shop, all offer erection services and purchase delivery.

Home Depot also has industrial-sized poles. However, you can check Amazon for the best deals as it has hundreds of brands being sold.