Want to add a splash of color and personality to your front yard? Why not add a few decorative flags? I think that flags are a great way to improve the curb appeal of your home while presenting an opportunity to show loyalty to your country, school, or favorite football team.
I like flying decorative flags during the Christmas holiday. I mount them on a pole, which I then place on my front porch. At first, I noticed that my flags kept wrapping around the pole as they were whipped around by the wind. So, I decided to do some research and find a way to prevent it from getting tangled.
In this post, I’ll share a few tips on how to keep your flag tangle free.
Contents
Invest In A Spinning Pole
If you’re flag flying by mounting them on flag poles, you’ll want to purchase a rotating pole to prevent it from getting tangled. After trying several of these out, I think one of the best examples is the Grace Alley Spinning Flag Pole. This rotating flag pole is equipped with a spin-free mechanism, making your flag wave as the wind dictates.
Thus, the flag also spins freely, which reduces the likelihood of it getting wrapped around the pole.
One thing that I love about rotating flag poles is that they come in a variety of finishes, such as fiberglass and aluminum, according to Carrot-Top Industries, a well-known high-quality American flag manufacturer. This means you’ll likely find one that matches your home’s exterior. The flag pole mentioned above is available in a classic white or silver finish.
Use An Anti-Furling Kit
Alternatively, I suggest buying an anti-furling kit, which also works really well and is similar to a rotating pole. With this setup, the part of the pole where the American flag is mounted spins in the direction of the wind.
Keep in mind that anti-furling devices are designed for specific flagpole sizes. So I recommend checking the diameter and height of your rotating flagpole to ensure you’re buying a compatible gadget.
Buy A Heavier Flag
If you don’t want to have to look for solutions after the fact, I suggest you just buy a heavier flag. The weight of the American flag will depend on the material used in its construction. The main materials used to make flags are cotton, polyester, and nylon, with nylon being the most common, according to Ricky Richards, one of Australia’s leading textile suppliers.
Here’s a quick review of each material:
Cotton
Traditionally, cotton has been the go-to material for making flags. For reference, most of the flags I used to own were made from cotton. It gives a flag a classic and elegant look. But, despite looking beautiful, this is not the best choice for an American flag that will be mounted outdoors.
The reason for this is that it will get soaked when it rains. Factor in strong winds and you end up with a flag with a very short lifespan. So, even if it’s heavy enough not to get wrapped around a pole, its intolerance to the outdoor weather makes it unsuitable.
Polyester
If you want your flag not to get wrapped around the pole, I believe that polyester is your best bet.
It’s heavyweight, strong, and durable. The extra weight helps to anchor the flag in place, despite strong winds. However, this also means that the flag won’t fly as easily unless there is a strong wind, as I found out with my favorite polyester flags.
Nylon
When purchasing outdoor decor items, you have to ensure that they’re waterproof. For instance, if you’re planning to buy a waterproof mattress for outdoors, you might be looking at some that are made of nylon.
In the same way, I’ve found that nylon flags are also impervious to water. Unfortunately, they are also lightweight. Because of this, they move with even the slightest breeze and, hence, making the flag wrap around the pole.
Use A Non-Tangle Rod
A non-tangle rod is between two and seven feet in length, according to Eagle Mountain Flag, a US-based flag manufacturer that’s been around for more than 25 years.
One end of the rod is attached to the grommet, while the other clips are attached to the flag itself. When the wind blows, I’ve noticed that the non-tangle rod prevents the flag from wrapping around the pole.
FAQs
Why Is My Flag Wrapped Around Pole?
Your flag is wrapped around pole because of the wind. This process is called furling, during which the loose end of the flag is caught in the wind and wraps itself around the pole.
What Is A Flag Grommet?
A flag grommet is a small metal ring around the hole of a flag. The purpose of a grommet is to protect the holes from wear and tear when you put wires or ropes through them.
What Is A Flag Collar?
A flag collar is an additional weight added to the flag to prevent it from getting tangled. These types of flag collars are called flag weight collars. There are also flagpole flash collars that cover the hole where the flagpole sits. They offer an aesthetic finish to your flagpole.
Keeping Your Flag from Wrapping Around A Pole
You shouldn’t stop raising your flag just because it’s windy outside. All you need is to learn how to keep the flag straight.
For one, you can look for a rotating collar system, like the Grace Alley Rotating Flag Pole, or anti-furling kits, such as the Anti-Wrap Mounting Rings. After trying both of these out, I must admit that they truly prevent tangling by allowing my American flag to rotate with the wind. You can also add a non-tangle rod, which anchors the flag firmly in one position.
If you have a similar problem with your outdoor curtains, I am sure you will find my post about how to keep outdoor curtains from blowing in the wind very useful as well. Also, take a look at how to anchor patio and porch furniture.
Did you enjoy my post? If you did, don’t forget to share it. You can also post your comments below.
About The Author
Last update on 2023-12-03 at 14:44 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This was VERY helpful!! Glad to know there’s options and that others have the same problem! Great solutions! Thank You!
I am very happy it helped you, Christine!