Find Your Perfect American Flag: The Three Step Guide to Choosing Quality Made-in-USA Flags!
American flags – Made in America by REAL Americans!
When it comes to purchasing a high-quality American flag made in the USA, there are a lot of options.
From material types, to attachments and sizing… how are you supposed to know what you need for your specific situation.
That’s why we’re here!
This guide will make it easy to understand materials, attachments, and sizing for your American flag.
Every US American flag we offer has a purpose. That’s why we’ve broken it down into those three categories outlined above. So first, we will go over the material types so you know what’s best.
Then we will touch on the attachment styles and sizes so your outdoor (or indoor) American flag display can be perfect for you, even if you want a large American flag like this>
American Flag Buying Guide – Material Selection
Materials matter. We have three top tier materials to choose from and they each suit slightly different environments. They are Nylon, Polyester and Cotton. This graphic gives you a quick look at their strengths. But read on to see more about their performance!
Nylon: Lightweight, quick-drying, vibrant colors, best for moderate weather.
Polyester: Extra durable, withstands harsh weather, ideal for high-wind and winter climates.
Cotton: Traditional look, great for indoor use, soft and rich in appearance.
Nylon American Flags
Our nylon flags, like the Battle Tough™ and All-Weather nylon flag options, are lightweight, durable, and quick-drying, making them perfect for areas with moderate weather or light wind. They fly beautifully in a breeze and resist fading, maintaining vibrant colors over a much longer timeframe than other materials.
Polyester American Flags
For those in harsher climates, our polyester flags, such as the Steadfast™ Winter Grade and Heavy Duty models, provide exceptional durability. Made from a tougher, more resilient fabric, these flags are designed to withstand extreme weather, including high winds and intense winter conditions, although polyester is known to fade sooner than your all weather nylon.
P.S. Take a look at the US wind chart to the right. If you don’t know whether a high wind graded flag is necessary, we’ve got you covered!
Cotton American Flags
For indoor and ceremonial use, our cotton flags, like the Columbia Cotton™ American Flag, are the way to go. Cotton delivers a classic, traditional look. Soft to the touch with a rich, natural finish, cotton flags are ideal for honoring special events or indoor displays. Some people still like to see their indoor flags in Nylon so it can still be vibrant! Most of the time we can make anything happen especially if it is a custom flag.
Each material brings its own advantages, allowing you to choose an American flag made in the USA that best suits your environment and display needs.
Now we can go over attachment types for different poles, what they mean and what is best for you!
By the way, If you have any questions about flags, flagpoles or hardware how-to’s, our Gettysburg Flag team is here to help. Just call us at 1-518-479-3153 or send us a message!
Attachment Styles For American Flags
9 times out of 10, you will want a header and grommet attachment style. Nearly all house mounted poles like our 6’ aluminum pole, will tote this easy attachment style.
Some people have poles that are specified for pole sleeves, but we will get there in a moment. First, here is a graphic of the different styles.
This table below shows the attachment styles that are available with the different sizes we carry here for our 4 main American flags. Use our detailed breakdown of flag attachment types to find your best style!
Header and Grommets: The most common attachment style for outdoor American flags made in the USA. This style includes a durable fabric header along the flag’s left edge, reinforced to withstand outdoor conditions. Heavy-duty brass grommets are embedded in the header, allowing for secure attachment to a flagpole with clips, screws or hooks. Ideal for high-visibility outdoor displays, header and grommets ensure your US American flag stays firmly attached while flying freely in the wind.
Pole Sleeve and Tab: Designed primarily for indoor or ceremonial flags, but can be found on some simple outdoor house mounted poles. This style features a fabric sleeve that slides over a flagpole, providing a clean and seamless look without visible attachments. A hidden tab inside the sleeve allows you to secure the flag to the pole, keeping it in place. This style is perfect for flags displayed on parade poles or in formal settings.
Rope and Thimble: A heavy-duty option, for larger flags displayed on taller flagpoles. This style includes a sturdy rope sewn along the flag’s edge, reinforced with a metal thimble for added strength. The thimble attaches to the flagpole’s halyard system, making it an ideal choice for commercial or government buildings where large American flags are displayed in high-wind areas. The Rope and Thimble style provides excellent durability and helps prevent wear from the pole’s hardware.
D Rings: A strong, reliable attachment for American flags made in the USA, especially those flown on nautical or commercial-grade poles. Attached at the top and bottom corners of the flag’s header, these durable metal rings provide a secure connection to hooks or snaps on the flagpole. D Rings offer flexibility and ease of use while providing a tight, stable fit, even in challenging weather conditions. This attachment style is perfect for those seeking a balance of security and ease in outdoor flag display.
Understanding American Flag Sizing
Residential flags come in many sizes ranging from small stitch flags that are 4×6 inches all the way up to 4×6 feet typically.
Commercial flags can be substantially larger, but will require an industrial sized flagpole that you can get made to your specifications!
By now you know the pros and cons to the different material types and attachments, but how big is too big for your home?
Our Worry free sets are perfect for low maintenance residential flag lovers. It is super convenient because it comes pre assembled so all you have to do is screw in your bracket. This comes with a 3×5’ Battle-Tough American flag (Made in the USA of course), which is the most common flag size you find on homes across America.
Some people get a slightly smaller 5’ spinning pole and fly a smaller flag on it for their own preference. We typically recommend the 6’ spinning pole, but if you want to stand out, the 3×5’ flag looks good on our Premium Oak Outrigger.
If you have a flagpole, our sizing chart takes care of all confusion when it comes to sizing your American flag!
It all comes down to your personal display preferences. So if you want a custom flag or our best American flags on your pole we can help you here at Gettysburg Flag Works!
At Gettysburg Flag Works, we’re proud to offer a wide range of American flags that are made in the USA. If you need any further assistance, look at our flag resource pages to learn more about every flag topic or contact us directly by calling our upstate NY headquarters, or filling out our online form. With Gettysburg Flag Works, you’re not just buying a flag—you’re investing in American craftsmanship and quality.