Flagpoles serve as symbols of pride, unity, and patriotism. However, if you live in an area prone to high winds, selecting a flagpole that can withstand the elements becomes crucial. Let’s talk about what factors to consider when choosing the best flagpole for high winds.
Material and Construction
The flagpole we are most familiar with and sell most often is an aluminum flagpole. There are flagpoles made of fiberglass and steel if that is what you are looking for. We don’t have a large demand for fiberglass flagpoles in Colorado, a flagpole material found more in the Northeast. We have a source to get them if that is what you prefer. Before we switched to aluminum flagpoles, we installed a lot of steel flagpoles.
When we bought this business, the previous owners fabricated and installed steel flagpoles, so we just followed suit. Yes, steel flagpoles are strong, but there are some downfalls to steel, weight is one of them, when installing steel poles a boom truck is almost always needed to lift the pole into the foundation. We also needed a welder onsite to weld the steel pieces together. Steel flagpoles require more flagpole maintenance, like painting the flagpole every 5 years or so. Aluminum flagpoles are a wonderful solution to steel flagpoles. They are lightweight, very low maintenance, and offer many options to meet wind demands in your area.
Height and Diameter
Consider the height and base diameter of the flagpole in relation to the anticipated wind conditions in your area. The taller the flagpole, the lower the wind rating. Sometimes reducing the height by 5 or 10 feet makes a big difference on wind rating. The diameter of the base of the flagpole plays an important role to sustain high winds. The larger the base, the higher the wind rating. The last factor to consider when looking for a flagpole is the wall thickness. The thicker the aluminum wall, the higher the wind rating. WIth the wider the base diameter and thicker wall, the wind rating will be higher resulting in a higher priced flagpole.
Foundation
When installing a flagpole, we have to make two trips. The first trip we dig the hole, and set the sleeve. We typically dig the hole 1 foot per 10’ of the pole height, for example, a 20’ flagpole we will dig a 2’ hole. The sleeve is set in concrete, and we like the foundation to set for about a week before installing the pole. The second trip is when we install the flagpole. We put the butt of the pole in the sleeve and surround the pole with sand. This allows the flagpole to move in the wind, and not snapping at the base. Another benefit of sand around the pole instead of concrete is the movability. If you move and want to take your flagpole with you, we can vacuum out the sand and take the flagpole to your next location.
Wind Load Rating
An important factor to consider when buying a flagpole is the wind load rating of the flagpole. This rating indicates the maximum wind speed the flagpole can withstand without significant damage. Higher wind load ratings offer greater resilience against strong winds.
Regular Maintenance
Even the most durable flagpole requires regular maintenance. Inspect the flagpole and parts periodically for signs of wear. Most importantly, the truck and rope which keeps your flag flying. When caught early enough, the cost can be significantly less compared to repairs when it is too far gone. And replacing your flag will keep a fresh look with your flagpole. If you need any work done to your flagpole, our team can help.
When it comes to choosing the best flagpole for high winds, consider the material, height, base, and wind rating. We are the experts in all things flagpoles, reach out if you have any questions or would like us to take on your project.
