Choose nylon for summer weather or polyester for extremely windy or winter weather. For longer flag life, we offer reinforced versions of each flag for sale with additional vertical stitching and reinforced corners.
5 Things to Know Before You Buy American Flags Online
Here is a list of 5 things to look out for when buying an American Flag online.
Buy American Made
If you are going to buy an American Flag, buy an American Flag that's made in USA! It is not always clear online where the product you are buying is produced. If it doesn't say on the page, made in USA, chances are, it is not.
Chain Stitch vs. Lock-Stitch
The biggest problem we see is in the stitching. There are two major types of stitching, chain-stitch and lock-stitch. We recommend always using lock-stitch over chain-stitch. Chain-stitch threading joins the fabric with one pass through, while lock-stitch doubles back each thread, locking each thread independently. So what's the big difference? If a thread breaks on a chain-stitch flag, the entire flag can unravel. This wont happen with lock-stitched flags. Buy an American Flag for sale with lock stitching and see for yourself.
Nylon vs. Polyester (Types of Fabric)
The most common question we get is whether to fly a nylon or polyester flag. Nylon has become the standard flown across the country, over the capitol building, and most likely at your local public schools. Most people choose this option when buying an American Flag. Nylon is perfect for its durability and brilliant shine to the red, white, and blue. But these flags don't last quite as long in heavy wind, rain, and ice. That is why flags are made in polyester. Polyester has a cotton-like appearance, looking woven. Polyester flags weigh about twice as much as nylon, so they need a lot more wind to fly but they can take a lot more abuse. Be sure to buy an American Flag that works for your area. The most cost effective flag has great fly-ability and also built to last.
Printed vs. Fully Sewn
When you buy an American Flag online, the picture doesn't always tell the whole story. Sometimes websites will show a flag but it is simply a representation of the product, and not the product itself. This is where reading the details will help. A printed flag is an image that is printed into the material like a printer onto paper. FlagDesk printed flags are finished on all four sides with a hem line, in some cases a double hem-line or more. The weak point of any flag is the threading. Fully sewn flags are the most durable and commonly flown year round. Printed flags are typically used for special events or promotions.
Do you know your weather?
The weather has everything to do with choosing the right flag. If you have ever visited a website which sells American Flags, the first thing you will notice is that there are a lot of different types offered. It can be difficult to know which type of American Flag to buy. It all comes down to what you want to put the flag through and how long you want your flag to last. If you have an idea of the kind of weather in your area, we recommend choosing one of the four types above. If you're planning to fly the American Flag for a special event or promotion, get a printed flag or chain-stitch flag.
Recommended Flag Sizes
In-Ground Flagpoles
The table below shows the recommended flag size for various exposed flagpole heights.
| Pole Height | Rec. Flag Size |
|---|---|
| 20 ft. | 3 x 5 ft. |
| 25 ft. | 4 x 6 ft. |
| 30 ft. | 5 x 8 ft. |
| 35 ft. | 6 x 10 ft. |
| 40 ft. | 8 x 12 ft. |
| 45 ft. | 8 x 12 ft. |
| 50 ft. | 10 x 15 ft. |
| 60 ft. | 12 x 18 ft. |
| 70 ft. | 15 x 25 ft. |
| 80 ft. | 20 x 30 ft. |
*Note: In general, the width of the flag should be approximately 1/4 the height of the flagpole.