The decision on which fabric to choose when purchasing an outdoor American flag (or any flag) is important. You need to take into consideration where you live (for flyability) and if you plan on flying the flag 24 hours/7 days a week (durability). United States Flag Store offers an American Flag Comparison Table to break down the flyability and durability for each fabric at different sizes to help consumers decide. Let’s take a look at the three main fabrics for flags: nylon, polyester and cotton.
Polyester is the most durable of fabrics for flags. It would be your choice if you choose to fly your flag 24/7. They are a heavier fabric, so they do require more wind to “fly”. There are two types of polyester that United States Flag store offers: sewn polyester and printed polyester. Sewn polyester flags would be the most durable of the two. They are made from a special type of polyester fabric that actually looks like coarse cotton in texture. The open weave reduces fabric stress, which makes it ideal to fly all day and in relatively high winds. These flags also feature sewn stripes and embroidered stars. Printed Polyester Flags are a more economical option. These flags are printed on silky-looking polyester fabric, but are lighter making them more flyable in less windy areas.
Nylon flags are considered the “all weather flag” due to its ability to fly in low winds and shed water, making it an ideal flag for wet climate areas. Nylon flags provide a bright, lustrous appearance making these United States Flag Store’s most popular outdoor flags.
Cotton flags, while vibrant in color, are not designed for outdoor use. Consumers can use cotton flags for outdoor use, but it is recommended for only short-term use. Cotton flags are more likely to fade, stain, shrink and lose their shape when displayed outside. Cotton flags are ideal for indoor display and are typically used as a burial flag or funeral flag (the 5 foot x 9.5 foot size that is used for covering a casket).
United States Flag Store is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to give us a toll free call at 1-877-734-2458 or email us at support@onlinestores.com.
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