Replacing a flag

[Fox Mike]

Just wondering, for those of use that fly the Stars and Stripes. How often do you replace it with a new one? I always purchase them with sewn stars rather than printed. About one year and the blue is fading. Ours flys 24/7 with a light on it so it is in all weather.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

We fly ours 24/7 as well. We buy good flags and they seem to last us five or six years before they begin to fray along the edges or the seams of the stripes. So long as it's essentially uniform, a little fading doesn't matter to us.

YMMV
:mrgreen:

 

[eveled]

A friend of mine would buy two flags one was hung in his man cave and one flew outside. He would treat the one inside with scotch guard spray. Then rotate them. He said they lasted years without fading.

 

[slowhand]

The Kansas wind wears mine out in about 9 months to a year. I replace it when the edge starts ripping.It flies 24/7 with a solar light as well.

 

[Jeepnik]

24/7. I've tried several types. The sewn ones of heavier material seem to last for a few years. We have a constant breeze and it takes it toll before fading occurs.

 

[1bdvet]

I replace my Flag every six months, and turn it in to local recreational Park in Davie Fl. Flag, which takes care of them for retiring.

 

[1bdvet]

I also install a black ribbon for certain Holidays when the flag is required to be flown at Half Staff like today 911.

 

[redhawker]

We have a flag on a 25-foot pole out front of the house. I've tried several different brands of flags to try to get a little more time out of each one. We live near the beach so we get a pretty good afternoon breeze almost every day. On top of that we get those Santa Ana winds, 30-60 mph, around here on a regular basis. Most of our flags seem to last 3 to 6 months, most of them closer to 3 months. I probably spend $200 or more a year on flags because I only buy good ones, not cheap thin nylon stuff.
Maybe I replace it too soon but as soon as it starts to fray and tear I can't stand it and have to replace it. I see others around town that are just an embarrassment. Completely shredded and faded and, obviously, have been left there over a year or even two. Why would you bother to put the nation's symbol on display then let if get so messed up you can hardly tell what it is?

 

[Fox Mike]

We have a flag on a 25-foot pole out front of the house. I've tried several different brands of flags to try to get a little more time out of each one. We live near the beach so we get a pretty good afternoon breeze almost every day. On top of that we get those Santa Ana winds, 30-60 mph, around here on a regular basis. Most of our flags seem to last 3 to 6 months, most of them closer to 3 months. I probably spend $200 or more a year on flags because I only buy good ones, not cheap thin nylon stuff.
Maybe I replace it too soon but as soon as it starts to fray and tear I can't stand it and have to replace it. I see others around town that are just an embarrassment. Completely shredded and faded and, obviously, have been left there over a year or even two. Why would you bother to put the nation's symbol on display then let if get so messed up you can hardly tell what it is?

I too cannot stand a faded or torn flag which is one reason for the question. We only buy sewn flags. Money isn't the determining factor. We would rather spend a bit more for one that lasts a bit longer and looks WAY better.

 

[jimbo1096]

Mine at the house lasts about 6 months. For some reason the squirrels take a dislike to it. It will be good until one of those tree rats will climb out on the pole and attack the thing, the flag will be fine for months and suddenly one of them becomes deranged and gnaws on the top, pulls it up on the edge of the roof and shreds it. Once they start I have about a month until it looks like it was flown on a battleship during combat. I've tried Tabasco, pepper spray and vinegar to no avail. The one up now was installed for the 4th of July and hasn't been attacked yet