How to choose a Flag?

House mounted flagpoles.

If you are going to fly the flag from a pole mounted on your house, the most popular size is a 3’x 5’ flag on a 6’ pole. The next most popular is the slightly smaller 21/2’ x 4’ flag on a 5’ pole. Larger homes or building can handle larger poles and flags. The size of the structure and space available are the key considerations.

Ground set flagpoles.

Flags flying on a vertical flag pole are traditionally sized to have the flag’s long dimension be approximately 1/4 to 1/3 the height of the pole. Other considerations might be the whether the pole has a yardarm that would interfere with a larger sized flag and whether the pole will be flying more than one flag.

Some typical examples:

There is no exact answer. The U. S. Government generally expects a nylon or cotton flag to last 90 days, based on daily usage from sunrise to sunset – but not during periods of inclement weather. Tests have shown that in some cases a flag flown 24 hours a day will last only ¼ as long as one flown during daylight hours only. Remember that no matter how well it is constructed, a flag is only a piece of cloth and will sooner or later succumb to the elements. However, reasonably good care can contribute significantly to longer flag life.

• For best results, do not expose the flag to rain, snow, or excessively high wind conditions. These conditions will shorten the life of the flag considerably. If the flag becomes wet, spread it out to allow it to dry completely. Do not fold or roll up a damp flag.
• To keep the colors bright, clean the flag regularly before airborne contaminants (dirt, dust, smoke, etc.) “set” in the fabric. Outdoor flags can be hand washed in warm water and a mild soap, then dried as in paragraph #1. Do not allow the flag to stand in the wash water, as bleeding into the white stripes can occur. Professional dry cleaning is recommended for indoor / parade flags. Many dry cleaning establishments will clean a U. S. flag at no charge.
• Do not place the flag where wind will whip against rough surfaces, tree branches, wires, building sides or roofs, etc. The smallest tear can soon result in a tattered flag. Keep the flagpole surface free of rust, scale, dirt, etc. that could damage the flag.
• Inspect the flag regularly for signs of wear. Look for “normal wear” fabric or thread breaks at “fly end.” This is the end farthest from the pole. Trimming off torn or frayed ends and re-hemming them is a way of extending the life of the flag.