If you have been thinking about purchasing a flag pole for a house, you are not alone. Recent statistics show that half of the adults in the US have the American flag in their homes.
However, more and more American citizens are choosing to showcase their patriotism by installing flag poles outside their homes.
When choosing a flagpole, there are very many variables to consider. Flagpoles are obtainable in a number of heights, styles, and widths and are made of various materials.
Here are the most important considerations when choosing a flag pole for a house or apartment.
The material used to construct a flag pole determines its durability and maintenance requirements. Below are some materials available for residential flag poles:
The best fiberglass flagpoles have a gel coating that makes them UV resistant. Thus, their color does not fade after exposure to sunlight.
Fiberglass poles are resistant to corrosion and moisture damage. Additionally, they can resist high winds.
Most manufacturers make fiberglass poles with the fibers running vertically. This design makes the poles strong. The poles are lightweight, which makes installation easy. They require little maintenance and are available in multiple colors.
You can run the rigging inside the pole, which is convenient. But, you may have difficulty lowering a flag on a fiberglass pole.
You may also opt for carbon steel flag poles. Steel poles are ideal if you want a large flag pole. The poles are very strong, so expect them to last long. However, steel poles are very heavy, which makes installation difficult.
Although fiberglass and steel have traditionally been used for building a flag pole, anodized aluminum is by far the most innovative and durable option.
Manufacturers coat anodized aluminum flagpoles using a chemical treatment to bond the metal and color. Therefore, anodized aluminum tubes will not rust, scratch, or chip like a painted or powder coated pole.
With high resistance to corrosion, and color fade, flagpoles made of this metal are ideal for an area with weather conditions consisting of harsher winds, heat, and rain.
The flag pole installation site is an important consideration when deciding the type of flag pole to choose. This is because the installation site determines some of the features of the pole you choose. Factors that determine the best place to install a flagpole for a house include:
It is illegal and dangerous to install a flag pole underneath or near power lines, phone lines, and cable lines.
If a flagpole is near utility lines, the flag may get tangled with the lines, which puts people nearby in danger. A flag that touches utility lines also affects their functionality.
Consider the distance covered by the flag when fully extended to ensure you do not install your flag pole near a utility line. You have to dig the ground to install some flag poles. Therefore, you must also consider the underground placement of utility lines.
Any foundation you dig ought to be 18-24 feet from any underground utility lines. Call local utility associations to inquire about the placement of sewer, gas, electric, cable, and phone lines.
If you want to avoid interfering with utility lines, consider the Titan Outrigger Kit. You can mount this flag pole type on the exterior of the building.
The overall landscape determines which location will best bring out the flag’s presence. After all, you don’t want to install a flagpole only to have the view blocked by trees. If your home has a circular drive or a center island, a flagpole will look magnificent in the center.
Other homeowners choose to install the flagpole at the side of the door. Others choose to have it nearer the driveway, so it is visible from the main entrance.
The flag pole’s placement on the landscape determines which is the right size.
Size is an essential consideration when determining the location to install a flag pole. You ought to consider three dimensions of size when choosing a flagpole: height, thickness, and diameter.
The recommended flagpole height is at least the same height as the roof, or 5 to 10 feet taller than the surrounding areas. This height ensures your pole can withstand the wind and provides a better visual appearance.
The slope of the area you want to plant the flag pole, and its distance from the house also determine which height is appropriate.
Choose a taller pole if your lot slopes away from the house. Also, the longer the flag pole’s distance from the house, the greater the height.
If there are many trees near your home, you do not want them to dwarf your flag pole. So get a taller pole. A tall pole is also ideal if you live in a story building.
A flag pole impacts your home’s curb appeal. Thus, you must also consider the view of the pole from the driveway when deciding on height.
The height of the flag pole also determines the size of the flag you can fly on it. The taller the pole, the larger the flag it can accommodate.
The flag pole’s thickness and butt diameter determine its stability and resistance to high winds. You need a sturdier pole that can withstand high winds if you live in a coastal or mountainous area.
Hence, your flag pole should have thick walls and a wider base.
Most flag pole suppliers offer a variety of colors and ornaments to choose from. Fiberglass flag poles are usually white.On the other hand, aluminum flagpoles typically have a black, bronze, or satin finish. Some flag poles have a powder coating.
During anodization, aluminum poles take on different colors. Thus, you have more color options if you go for an anodized aluminum pole. Since the color finish on anodized poles is bonded to the aluminum, the color does not chip or fade.
You may also paint your flag pole any color you want. But, ensure the color you choose matches your exteriors. You may match your flag pole color to your gate or fence.
Flag poles come with a ball ornament at the top. If you don’t like the ball, you can replace that ornament with an eagle.
The type of flag pole you choose determines the installation work required and the servicing requirements later. There are three types of flag poles to choose from:
Single-piece flag poles are a more traditional option. These poles use a halyard system to raise and lower the flag. They are strong and can resist high winds.
However, many homeowners complain about the noise created when using the halyard system.
Maintaining a Halyard system may also pose some difficulties. For instance, getting to the top of the pole may sometimes be the only way to repair a halyard system. In this case, homeowners may need to rent a bucket truck, which is expensive.
Sectional flag poles come in sections, which you put together when setting up the flag pole. Sectional flag posts are relatively cheap, making them a great option if you are on a budget.
If you have to move, all you need to do is dismantle your flag pole and put the sections in a bag. Thus, you will have no storage dilemmas with a sectional flag pole.
However, getting the pieces of a sectional flag pole to fit seamlessly is not an easy task. There are likely to be some weak points on your flag pole. Thus, sectional flag poles are not ideal for windy areas.
Telescoping flag poles have collapsible sections, making storage and transportation easy. They also are sturdy and can resist high winds. Thus, they combine the benefits of a single piece and sectional flag poles.
Unlike single-piece flag posts, telescoping flag poles do not use a halyard system. Instead, you raise your flag by pushing the sections upwards and lower it by telescoping downwards.
Flags on a telescoping pole are attached to a swivel ring, which does not make noise when you lower or raise the flag. You can lower sections on the pole to fix a problem.
Thus, maintenance is easier and cheaper because you do not need to rent a bucket truck.
The single biggest reason one should choose a telescoping flag pole over a traditional halyard pole is that the top retracts down to you.
Headaches associated with replacing the rope, fixing the pulley, or adding an ornament to the top of the flagpole are eliminated with a telescoping flagpole. Other benefits include better prices, ease of use, and mobility.
Many telescoping flag poles on the market use a “screw-in” or a “push button” system at each joint for retractability. However, these systems tend to become less reliable over time.
Fortunately, there is one brand on the market that offers a solution to this.
The Titan Telescoping Flagpole uses a patented interlocking sleeve mechanism which makes it very easy to raise and lower each section. This interlocking sleeve also provides outstanding stability at each joint once it is locked into place.
The best part? When purchasing the Titan Telescoping Kit, you get the interlocking sleeve along with all other parts and accessories included. Plus, you can choose from a variety of sizes and colors and also are automatically entitled to a limited warranty.
Before buying a flag pole, research local building codes to know whether there are rules on flag pole installation. For instance, some states may have height limitations on flag poles. Ensure you also check with your municipality to know if you need a permit.
If you live in a gated community or HOA, there may be rules on where to install a flag pole.
Therefore, check the neighborhood association regulations before buying a flag pole. Also, check with your insurance provider to get the implications of installing a flag pole in your home.
When installing a flag pole, you can get customizable options. Doing this allows you to maximize your flag pole’s functionality and aesthetic.
The US flag code dictates that people should keep the flag raised during daytime hours. Thus, if you want to keep your flag raised at all hours, consider having it fitted with a solar light to illuminate the stars and stripes.
Do you have other flags you’d like to hoist besides the flag? If so, consider a flag pole that can accommodate multiple flags. If you want a multiple flag display, consult a flag pole supplier for recommendations on the best flag size.
Every flagpole comes with a wind speed rating. The rating shows the maximum wind speed in miles or kilometers per hour (MPH/KPH). When evaluating wind speed ratings, consider the pole’s rating when it has a flag and when unflagged.
A flag pole’s height, diameter, and thickness determine its wind speed rating. Normally, the thickness of a flag pole increases with an increase in height. Thus, taller poles are thicker than shorter ones.
Flag pole suppliers have a wind speed chart that helps you choose the best flag post. If you are unsure about your area’s wind speed, go for a thick flag pole, as those are always sturdy.
If you live in a high humidity area such as the coast, a fiberglass flag pole is best since it is moisture resistant. Additionally, fiberglass poles can resist corrosion, so the saltwater in a coastal area will not ruin your pole.
If you often experience high winds where you live, ensure you get a pole with a high wind speed rating. Some areas with high winds include:
• Mountain regions
• Islands
• Peninsulas
• Desert plains, and
• Storm-prone zones
Fiberglass poles also do well in areas that experience acid rain because they resist corrosion. If your house is near an industrial area, only fiberglass can withstand the effects of corrosive emissions.
How to install a flag pole for a house depends on the installation site, size of the pole, building codes, and your aesthetic preferences. Below are mounting choices to consider when choosing a flag pole:
Installers put a hinge-base attachment into the ground during the tilting installation process. They then attach the flag pole to this base. The hinge-base attachment allows you to tilt the pole and lay it on the ground.
Hinge-base flagpoles are easy to maintain since you can lower the pole to the ground by tilting it and make necessary repairs. The counterbalance of the poles makes it easy to lower or raise them by yourself.
In-ground installation is the most common flag pole mounting method. During installation, the installers dig a hole for the foundation of the pole. The hole is at least 24 inches wide and goes down 30 inches.
After preparing the foundation, pour in concrete and embed the pole deep into the foundation. A significant length of the pole goes into the ground during this installation method. Remember this when selecting the height of your flag pole.
During this flag pole installation method, the installers embed the flag pole into an area with concrete and secure it using anchor bolts.
Installers do not need to dig a hole to install the pole. But, the area on which the installers embed the pole must have support structures.
Show base installation is ideal if the building codes in your area require above-ground installation for flag poles. Because not much of the pole goes underneath the ground, you do not need to pick a very tall pole.
Wall-mount installation is the best option for urban dwellers. For this installation method, installers mount an external halyard vertically or at an angle on the side of a building.
You need to buy a bracket and hardware to mount the flag pole. You can get brackets that match the aesthetics of your building.
Walking around stores to find the tools and hardware required to install a flag pole is very stressful.
Why not buy a flag pole kit instead of going through all that trouble? A flagpole kit has the flag pole you need, plus the tools required to install it.
The kit also includes instructions on how to go about the installation. Flag pole kits are made to be easy to work with.
So, you will not struggle to install your flag pole. The instructions in the kit use simple language and include images and measurements of everything.
You get multiple options when you want to purchase a flag pole kit. So there is no limit to your design options. The kits also include a flag, so you do not need to buy one from another place.
Additionally, they offer ease of transportation because the components are in sections stored in a bag. So you can carry your flagpole and install it anywhere you like!
Below are two of the best flag pole kits to consider:
The Titan Outrigger Kit is an excellent choice for DIY wall-mount installation.
The kit has a silver-anodized aluminum pole and a nylon flag. It has a mounting plate with a bracket and attachment screws to attach the pole to the wall. The kit also has a gold ball topper and two attachment rings for the flag.
The Titan Telescoping Kit comes in three colors; silver, black, and light bronze. The kit contains a preassembled Titan telescoping flag pole, so when you open it, all you need to do is extend the pole.
The height specs for the pole are 15, 20, 20LT, and 25 feet. The 15 and 20 LT poles have a 14-gauge wall thickness, while the 20 and 25-foot poles have a 12-gauge wall thickness.
The poles in the kit are made from anodized aluminum. The kit also has a nylon flag, hardware needed to hoist two flags, a gold ball topper, and a ground sleeve.
Flag poles serve different purposes for different homeowners. Perhaps you want to hang the US flag to show your patriotism. A flagpole may also be a statement piece. Other homeowners install a flagpole as a landmark.
Consider a sleek flag pole to add to your home’s curb appeal. A pole with a black finish has a polished look that adds sophistication to your lot.
A tall pole is ideal for a landmark. If your home is in an urban area, a smaller pole is better. Otherwise, you end up blocking others’ views.
If you intend to hang the American flag as a show of patriotism, it is important to learn how to fly your flag correctly. U.S Flag Code encourages various standards for the care, position, and display of American flags, so it’s worth taking a look at before purchasing!
One of the recommendations made in this code correlates to the appropriate time of day a flag should be flown. If you want to fly your flag at night, it’s best practice to install solar lights for flagpoles to keep it illuminated.
Another code example is when the nation is in mourning, the flag should be flown half-staff.
A telescoping flagpole can make it easier to fly a flag half-staff. All you need to do is move the flag from the top to the bottom part, then extend the pole to its full height.
A flagpole is a beautiful addition to any home. And, if you have carefully considered the above factors, you are now ready to choose the best flag pole for a house.
At Flagpole Farm, we offer the most durable flagpole on the market; Titan Telescoping Flagpoles.
Our in-house experts help you find a flag pole that suits all your needs and preferences. Whatever you need, we’ve got it.
Visit our site or browse our products to explore our superior selection of Titan kits, solar light, and a variety of flags and accessories.
Flagpole Farm and Titan Telescoping Flagpoles are businesses solely focused on the production and sale of flagpoles and similar accessories. This blog is not to be used as a factual reference, rather as an opinion-based forum in which the information within is not official statements made on behalf of or by Flagpole Farm or Titan Telescoping Flagpoles.
Information provided on this blog is accurate and true to the best of the writers’ knowledge, however, there may be omissions, errors, or mistakes. At any point, Flagpole Farm reserves the right to change the focus and/or content of this blog.
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