With the fourth of July around the corner, we figured some of our readers might be interested in learning about outdoor flagpole options. When a celebration is in order or if you’re just feeling proud all-year-round, there’s nothing wrong with showing it with a one-man parade flag (unless, of course, you’re a Canadian enjoying the Olympics in your home country. If that’s the case, be prepared to be likened to a Nazi).
But let’s put grudges against moronic, loudmouth Texan sportswriters aside and tell you about outdoor flags. There are generally three kinds of flagpoles available for residential use: the classic one-piece in-ground flagpole, the telescoping flagpole, and the wall mounted flagpole. These each have their pros and cons, so we’ll lay them out so you know which flagpole is best for you.
The classic in-ground flagpole generally comes in one piece (although there are some sectional styles available) and are usually made of aluminum or fiberglass (the latter of which is great as it doesn’t conduct electricity). These are sturdy and the higher quality ones will stand up well in 90 – 100 mile winds. They also offer you the most versatility with your flag raising as the flags are hoisted up with rope (allowing you to add more than one flag, set your flag to half mast or lower and raise your flag each day if that’s what you’re into). The cons? Shipping for one-piece flagpoles is generally pretty steep as they have to go by freight and need to be specially delivered. Installation can be a bit trying, especially if you’ve opted for a tall aluminum type. Finally, on a windy day, the rope attachments can sometimes make that annoying “clangy” sound as it hits the pole – which could drive you crazy. For a 20′ pole of this variety, you can expect to pay anywhere from $70 to $300.
Next option is the telescoping flagpole. As the name says, the pole can start off compact but then grow to your desired maximum height. Of the telescoping poles, some allow you to install them in-ground with cement as you would a classic pole, others have mounting bases (better suited for temporary uses like at backyard parties or tailgating). The benefits to a telescoping pole are that they’re easier to install, generally cheaper to transport, you can adjust the height of your flagpole (the 20′ flagpoles can usually be as short as 7′ and adjust upward), and they don’t tend to use rope – which means no “clangy” sound as mentioned above and no rope and flag snarling or tangling. As for the cons, this style of flagpole doesn’t stand up to stormy wind quite as well the one-piece would (Kansas residents, you may want to rethink this one!). You also have less flag options with it as you can only place flags where there are clips on the pole. This may impact your ability to set a flag at half mast or add a secondary flag. A 20′ telescopic flagpole will set you back between $100 and $250.
Finally, there’s the wall-mounted flagpole. This is ideal if you won’t have the space on your property for a flagpole, don’t want to deal with pouring concrete for the install or if you just think a flag on your porch looks pretty (hey, patriotism isn’t just about tough-guy sentiments!). The wall-mount flag kits generally come with an aluminum bracket (which you can screw into a porch beam or siding) a pole (usually between 5′ and 7′) , clips or string from grommet-style flags (the other option is to use a flag that has a sleeve you can fit the pole into) and a finial. Some of the nicer styles include a rotational element that prevent flags from tangling in the wind. The pros to this style are the easy install, easy removal and available at a cheaper cost. The cons are that they will not stand up well in high winds (even a pounding rain can knock some of these down – best to tuck them indoors during a storm), you’re limited to one flag, and psychotic neighbors may believe you’re a communist / not patriotic enough by choosing a smaller flag option. The costs range from $12 to $34.
Once you’ve chosen your flagpole, the fun part is choosing your flag(s). Whether you simply want to fly the flag of your nation or heritage, support the troops, show your pride, or let everyone know how much you have like crabs, there’s a flag for just about anything.
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