How to Keep Your American Flag From Wrapping Around the Pole
There's no better way to show your patriotism than by displaying an American flag in front of your home or business.
While the American flag historically represents the 13 original colonies and 50 states of the union, it has since become symbolic with freedom and independence — the values for which our nation stands.
But it's frustrating when you're trying to display an American flag in front of your home or business, only to have the flag to wrap around the pole.
This doesn't have to prevent you from showing your patriotism. Rather, consider the following tips to keep your American flag from wrapping around the pole.
4 Tips to Keep Your Flag from Tangling / Twisting (click the titles for more details)
Use a Rotating Flag Pole
Use an Anti-Furling Kit
Use a Heavier Flag
Display It Around a Windbreak
If you are flying your flag from a mount connected to your home or business, this is the best solution.
Traditional flag poles, of course, don't rotate. When a strong gust of wind occurs, it forces the flag to wrap over the pole.
Because it's such a common problem, some flag poles (like these) are designed specifically to keep the flag straight. They feature a spinning pole shaft or rings that turn automatically during strong winds.
Rotating flag poles (like these) are designed specifically to prevent this issue from happening and include everything in the box to make the pole rotate with the wind and keep your flag tangle free.
There are also anti-furling kits and devices that will prevent your American flag from wrapping around the pole. They essentially work in a similar way as rotating flag poles by allowing the pole — or area of the pole from which the flag is mounted — to rotate with the wind.
Because they are sold as kits, however, you need to make sure the size of the kit matches your current flagpole on which they will be installed.
Choose a Heavier, Higher-Quality Flag
The quality of your American flag can affect whether or not it wraps around the pole. Cheap, low-quality flags are typically made of thin materials (and frequently from China).
On the other hand, premium, high-quality flags are made of thicker materials. Because of their thicker design, high-quality flags are heavier than their low-quality counterpart, which naturally helps to anchor them in place and keep them from flipping over the top of the pole in gentle breezes and becoming tangled.
This is the longest to implement but very effective solution — especially in areas of the country that frequently have sustained high winds.
Flags usually wrap around the pole from which they are mounted during strong winds. While you can't control the wind, you may be able to protect your flag from it.
When choosing an area to display your American flag, look to see if it contains – or you could install – a windbreak.
Large trees, wood fences, hills, rocks and even sheds are all windbreaks that will block wind gusts, preventing them from wrapping your flag around the pole. It's not a foolproof solution, but a windbreak can certainly reduce the risk of your flag furling.
Choosing one of these options should keep your flag flying beautifully without tangling.
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Filed Under: Flag Care