External halyard flagpoles are available in aluminum, fiberglass and steel and are the most widely found type of flag pole. The halyard (rope or lanyard) extends to the top of the pole through an assembly known as a truck and back down the pole where it is secured to a cleat near the base of the pole. It is important to note, the halyard is on the outside of the pole and not concealed on the inside of the pole. The flag attaches to the halyard with at least two swivel snaps (also known as snap hooks). The flag can be easily raised or lowered by untying the halyard from the cleat and pulling on the halyard in either direction.

External halyard flagpoles are also less expensive to maintain and repair than internal halyard flagpoles. They not only have fewer parts, but the components are easier to get to and repair or replace.

If security is an issue and you'd still prefer an external halyard flag pole, a cleat cover box can be used to lock the halyard to the cleat and help prevent theft of the flag.

Please note that external halyard flagpoles will make a moderate amount of noise in windier conditions as the halyard slaps against the side of the flag pole.

Standard-Duty Good (Special Budget Series, Economy Extra Series)
Exceptional value, lower cost Wind Rating (w/o Flag): 88 mph to 137 mph Flagpole Height Range: 15 ft. to 70 ft. Aluminum flag poles have your choice of 4 standard finishes, Satin Aluminum, Clear Anodized, Bronze 313 Anodized or Black Anodized. Aluminum Flagpoles - Special Budget Aluminum Flagpoles Economy Extra Aluminum Flagpoles
Exta-Duty Very Good (Atlas Series, Architectural Series, Fiberglass Flagpoles)
More substantial, stronger appearance Wind Rating (w/o Flag): 104 mph to 315 mph Flagpole Height Range: 15 ft to 80 ft. Aluminum flag poles have your choice of 4 standard finishes, Satin Aluminum, Clear Anodized, Bronze 313 Anodized or Black Anodized. Fiberglass flag poles are available in White or Bronze only. Aluminum Flagpoles Atlas Aluminum Flagpoles Architectural Aluminum Flagpoles Fiberglass Flagpoles Fiberglass Flagpoles
Heavy-Duty Excellent (Hurricane Series)
The highest quality, strongest appearance. Ideal for very windy locations! Wind Rating (w/o Flag): 231 mph to 255 mph Flagpole height range: 25 ft to 50 ft. Aluminum flag poles have your choice of 4 standard finishes, Satin Aluminum, Clear Anodized, Bronze 313 Anodized or Black Anodized. Aluminum Flagpoles Hurricane Flagpoles
Giant Excellent (Diminishing Section Steel Flagpoles)
Towering flagpoles, 90 to 130 ft. in height, made from all new seamless steel tubing. Wind Rating (w/o Flag): 100 mph Flagpole height range: 90 ft to 130 ft. Steel flag poles have your choice of 4 standard finishes, Clear Anodized, Bronze 313 Anodized, Black Anodized, or White Anodized. Steel Flagpoles Diminishing Section Steel Flagpoles
Residential (Homesteader, Tapered Homesteader, Telescoping)
Lightweight and Maintenance Free. Can be shipped UPS! These Telescoping aluminum flag poles are available in Clear Anodized, Bronze 313 Anodized, Black Anodized, or White Painted. Homesteader and Tapered Homesteader aluminum flag poles are available in Silver only. Aluminum Flagpoles Homesteader Flagpoles Tapered Homesteader Flagpoles Telescoping Flagpoles

Internal halyard flagpoles are available aluminum, fiberglass and steel and are a more upscale option than traditional external halyard flag poles. The halyard (rope or lanyard) is concealed on the inside of the pole and is accessed by unlocking an access door near the base of the pole. The flag is raised and lowered through a cam-action (self-locking) cleat or by inserting a crank handle to turn a winch, depending on the type of internal halyard flagpole. The halyard goes through an assembly at the top of the pole also known as a truck. The halyard is then secured to the outside of the pole with a retainer ring and weight. The weight helps to keep the bottom of the flag taught and close to the pole in windier conditions. The flag attaches to the halyard with at least two swivel snaps (also known as snap hooks) above the retainer ring and weight.

Since the halyard is protected on the inside of the pole and can only be accessed with a key, it makes the flag very secure from theft or vandalism. Internal halyard flagpoles also do not make noise when it is windy because the halyard is concealed from the wind!

The cam-action cleat mechanism is simple to use and less expensive than comparable winch operated internal halyard flagpoles. It is available only on 20 ft. to 40 ft. flagpoles. To operate the cam action cleat, rotate it in one direction and the cleat releases from the halyard. Allow it to rotate it in the other direction, and the cleat tightens down on the halyard, securing the halyard in place.

When raising the flag, pull down on the halyard and the cam action cleat releases, allowing the flag to be raised to the top of the pole. If you let go of the halyard the cam action cleat will switch direction and apply pressure and secure the halyard in place. However, by moving the halyard away from the cleat (with your finger), the halyard is free to move in either direction. Simply move the halyard back underneath cam action cleat to secure the flag in place at a desired postion.

The winch mechanism is more expensive compared to cam action cleat operated internal halyard flagpoles, but is much easier to use.

The winch is essentially a self-locking spool that allows a stainless steel cable to wind. Winches come with a removable crank handle that is used to raise and lower the flag. Even the largest flags can be raised with very little effort.

Standard-Duty Good (Vanguard IH Series)
Door & Frame Unit Cam Action Cleat Uses a cam-action (self-locking) cleat to reduce cost and provide a more economical alternative Wind Rating (w/o Flag): 110 mph to 250 mph Flagpole heights range: 20 ft. to 40 ft. Aluminum flag poles are available in your choice of 4 standard finishes, Silver, Bronze 313 Anodized, Black Anodized, or White Anodized. Aluminum Flagpoles Vanguard IH Aluminum Flagpoles
Extra-Duty Very Good (Deluxe IH Series, Fiberglass IH Series)
M Winch M Winch Handle Uses a winch to make it easier to raise and lower the flag Wind Rating (w/o Flag): 104 mph to 250 mph Flagpoles heights range: 20 ft to 80 ft. Aluminum flag poles are available in your choice of 4 standard finishes, Satin Aluminum, Clear Anodized, Bronze 313 Anodized or Black Anodized. Fiberglass flagpoles are available in White or Bronze only. Aluminum Flagpoles Deluxe IH Aluminum Flagpoles Fiberglass Flagpoles Fiberglass IH Flagpoles
Heavy-Duty Excellent (Hurricane IH Series)
M Winch M Winch Handle The highest quality, strongest appearance, uses a winch to make it easier to raise and lower the flag. Ideal for very windy locations! Wind Rating (w/o Flag): 231 mph to 255 mph Flagpole height range: 25 ft to 50 ft. Aluminum flag poles are available in your choice of 4 standard finishes, Satin Aluminum, Clear Anodized, Bronze 313 Anodized or Black Anodized. Aluminum Flagpoles Hurricane IH Flagpoles
Giant Excellent (Diminishing Section Steel IH Flagpoles)
M Winch M Winch Handle Towering flagpoles, 90 to 130 ft. in height, made from all new seamless steel tubing. Wind Rating (w/o Flag): 100 mph Flagpole height range: 90 ft to 130 ft. Steel flag poles are available in your choice of 4 standard finishes, Clear Anodized, Bronze 313 Anodized, Black Anodized, or White Anodized. Steel Flagpoles Diminishing Section IH Steel Flagpoles