How Tall Is a Flagpole? What’s the Best Flagpole for Your School, Business, or Municipality?

For organizations like schools, businesses, and municipalities, flying an American flag, along with flags for their state, city, or the organization itself (see the etiquette for displaying flags here), in front of their building is a great way to demonstrate patriotism and catch the eyes of people passing by. But if you’re looking to install a flagpole, what are your options? How tall is a flagpole supposed to be, and what are the flagpole’s dimensions?

For in-ground flagpoles, many factors can influence the decision of which type of flagpole is best for your municipality, business, or school. Here are a few things that you’ll need to consider:

Building Types and Heights

The type of building is the most important consideration for in-ground poles.

• If the flagpole is for your home, a 15-20 feet flagpole height is recommended for a single-story building, and a 20-25 feet flagpole is recommended for a two-story building. You can attach a house pole to the building, and that stands at 5 or 6 feet. A telescoping flagpole can reach 20 feet.
• Flags at a school should be displayed between 30 and 40 feet.
• Commercial buildings should have a pole that is between 30 and 60 feet.
• 70 feet is the recommended flagpole height for government buildings.
• Stadiums and military bases may have taller flagpoles, reaching 90 to 100 feet.

While this gives you a basic guideline as to how tall a flagpole is for various buildings, other factors can also determine the best flagpole height and dimensions for you to properly display your flags.

Other Structures on the Property

It’s important to consider the height of your building or other structures on the property where you will be installing the flagpole. The flagpole shouldn’t look out of place next to other nearby structures. While display flagpoles are generally between 7 and 10 feet, the most common flagpole heights range between 25 and 35 feet. Other heights are available if the flagpole needs to fit alongside a taller building, nearby sculptures, or any other structures that may affect the way it is displayed.

Flagpole Material

There are two options for materials for your flagpole: aluminum or fiberglass. While the decision between these options mostly comes down to personal preference, there are a few differences to consider. While both are strong, aluminum tends to be a stronger material. Aluminum flagpoles also come in a wider range of sizes and different finishes, but fiberglass flagpoles are the only type that are available in white.

Internal vs. External Halyard

Another decision factor when selecting the best flagpole is the choice between an internal or external halyard. An internal halyard flagpole hides the rope inside the flagpole. Generally speaking, internal halyard flagpoles are more expensive since they offer a few benefits over the external halyard option. These benefits include:

• Security – Access to the halyard is under lock and key.
• Reduced noise – When a flag is flying, the metal snap hooks do not hit the flagpole.

On the more traditional external halyard flagpole, the rope is on the outside of the pole and is tied onto the cleat. If security is a concern, accessories are available that will allow you to keep your flags from being tampered with.

Wind Conditions

Your decision about how tall a flagpole is could be affected by wind conditions. When a flagpole is made, it is tested to determine the maximum flag size and wind conditions for safe installation (in line with the flagpole dimensions). These maximum wind allowances are determined for two different scenarios: when a flagpole is flying a flag (flagged) and when it is not flying a flag (unflagged). Since you will likely fly a flag on most days, it is best to focus on flagged wind allowances.

The map below displays the maximum steady wind expected in different locations within the United States:

As you can see, a 90 mph wind speed is a good number to estimate for the majority of the country. Determining the potential wind in your area will help you determine how tall the flagpole is that is right for your location. Flagpoles with larger bases withstand wind better, as do aluminum flagpoles with thicker walls.

If you are located near open water or where hurricanes occur relatively frequently, you may want to consider the Hurricane Flagpole Series. This is the best flagpole that is specifically designed to withstand extremely high wind conditions.

Flagpole Location

In any given geographical area, some areas may have higher wind gusts than others. This is another factor to consider when determining the correct flagpole dimensions that you need. Flagpoles in an open area, near bodies of water or highways, or on top of a building are going to experience higher wind gusts than in areas with many trees or areas that are blocked by large objects like walls, buildings, bridges, etc. Planning for this wind allowance will ensure that your flagpole can stand up to the expected conditions in its location.

Installation

Depending on the size of the flagpole and the equipment available, you can either install it yourself or hire a professional to do so. If you’re interested in our flagpole installation services, please contact us.

As you can see, there are many factors in deciding how tall a flagpole is and which one is the best flagpole for your needs. Considering each of these factors along with your personal preferences will help you determine which flagpole you want to see every day. At A Stars & Stripes Flag Corporation, we have over 45 years of experience helping determine which option is right for you. Do you have any other questions besides “How tall is a flagpole?” concerning flagpoles or flags? Please contact us; we’re happy to help!