Flags On Masts - Anyone Knowledgeable About Them?

[Prudie]

Is anyone experienced in flying flags from masts and their lifespan? I am responsible for having 3 flying from masts at work and I'm beginning to wonder about the quality of my supplier. These flags last about 6 months max, end up completely faded, torn and ragged. Is this the expected lifespan of a flag flying outside in the UK?

[Canary42]

The cafe on the seafont near where I live always flies a union jack, and by the time it is replaced it is usually down to half a flag - and that's in well less than a year I think. It's the winter gales which are most damaging.

[TonyV]

should last at least a year if not longer, ours do, seems like you are being supplied inferior quality product

[Theland]

Cheap Primark flags?

[KARL]

As you may already have grasped, everything depends on the quality of the flag - and admittedly also the exposure to sun and weather it receives (on a headland or amongst tall buildings in a narrow street deep within a city), more testing exposure leads to more wear and more frequent replacement.

Flag colours can be printed onto the fabric (single piece) or the flag can be made from different pieces of individually deep dyed material (including synthetic). Much depends on the type of material and how the flag is produced. The cheaper ones (printed) may be worth buying and simply treating as short lived disposables if the overall cost comparison justifies it.

[Theland]

Isn't there a law, copyrighted, that says US and EU flags must be made of non flammable material?

Must be hard wearing.

Maybe we need some British flags made of same stuff?

[TonyV]

Prudie some info here especially about wind speed and flags on front page. https://www.flagmakers.co.uk

[Baldric]

https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/the-union-jack-or-the-union-flag/

[Buenchico]

From the website of a British flag manufacturer. (I've not provided a direct link as the site has an invalid security certificate):

"How long does a flag last?The lifespan of a flag depends on how it is made, where it is flown and in what weather conditions. This makes predicting the lifespan of a flag very difficult.Flags are perishable items, the colours will start to fade and the flag will begin to fray. Even the strongest of flags cannot be flown for long in strong winds without deteriorating. In general, a polyester flag will last approximately 90 days based on daily display, but not during periods of inclement weather. In some cases a polyester flag displayed 24 hours a day may only last a quarter of that time. Therefore a lifespan of 22 days is suggested.The weather is the main variable that determines the life of a flag. Your flag should be made up of an all weather fabric such as polyester. All hems should be turned back twice, secured with two rows of lock stitching on the fly end - if the flag is printed onto a standard polyester.All weather flags made of polyester will sustain damage in extreme weather conditions. Sun, rain, wind, ice and snow all weaken fabrics and threads. When your flag begins to show obvious signs of wear such as holes, severe fading or frayed edging it is appropriate to retire the old flag and replace it with a new one.We recommend that when you buy flags, you buy them in pairs as it is very difficult to predict the life expectancy of a flag due to climatic conditions and the number of hours you fly your flag from your flagpole. "

From a US website:
"A flag's lifespan is often in the hands of its owner. The U.S. Government estimates that a nylon flag will last about 90 days if it is only flown from sunrise to sunset in good weather. Flags flown 24 hours a day will typically last one half to one third as long. Larger flags have a shorter life than smaller ones because they are exposed to higher wind speeds and the fly ends have a stronger whiplash effect"
(Source: https://www.united-states-flag.com/about-flag.html )

[Prudie]

Well thanks for all the informed advice and links. As they are up on tall exposed poles 24/7 I suppose they are lasting as to be expected after all.

[Prudie]

I was prompted to ask because after Freya on Sunday one of them was only half left when I walked in Monday - it was the company logo one so not that disrespectful, the Union and county flag are raggedy but at least just about presentable :-)

[jno]

I don't suppose climate change is doing anything to increase the longevity of flags, Prudie. The worse the weather, the shorter the lifespan.

[TonyV]

I guess Prudie buy best quality you can and accept they will wear out eventually, will post the supplier of our flags when I get info, will be Friday as lady that procures them is on leave at moment