Flag materials

[PRGringo]

I am always wondering what material is best for my flags. The choices are wool, cotton, polyester/cotton, nylon and polyester that I have seen available. I am curious if there would be ant interest in posting information as a reference resouce or in a reference area within the forum regarding the advantages/disadvantages of each material for flag use.

Does it already exist here?

I suppose I could volunteer to submit an article.....

[Peter Ansoff]

Interesting subject! Most outdoor-use flags are synthetics nowdays; the only exceptions seem to be those used by historical reenactors and the like. My collection are almost all either nylon or printed polyester. I think that nylon is the clear choice if the flag is going to be displayed every day, while poly works for occasional display. The advantages of poly are that it is much cheaper, and also that its lightness makes it fly better in light winds. The disadvantage is that it wears much faster, and also that the manufacturing quality control is not as good. (I used to have a really weird Icelandic flag on which the horizontal bar of the cross was crooked.)

I also have a few flags that are "woven polyester." It's more rugged than the straight poly, but heavier than regular poly and more porus than nylon. It wears OK but does not fly as well as either one. If you're looking for an unusual flag (something other than standard national, state and historical flags), then of course it's a matter of taking what you can get.

On a related subject, my opinion (which will probably get me in trouble with some NAVA members!) is that it's usually not a good idea to buy flags from "brick and mortar" retailers. You can get much better prices for the same flags by shopping around on the internet.

At the moment we really don't have a way to post articles here in the forum -- it's something that could be investigated, however. BTW, I have not forgotten about the new section for book reviews and such. I'll try to get to it this weekend.

Best,

Peter Ansoff

[american_flag_uk]

Here in the UK, the material most used on our flags here is either polyester or cotton... Nylon seems to be quite rare in this country as far as what I see people flying.

on the water, all the ensigns and pennants I've seen are cotton, with traditional rope and toggle at the header.

In the USA however, nylon seems to be a leader... and I can see why! Alot of the American flags in my collection are nylon, but i have a fare few cotton ones too, and a small number of polyester ones. some of my older flags in my collection are linen or silk though.

[mattsaccount]

On a related note, I've noticed a few places selling flags made from "Bemberg rayon." They advertise this as the "best" material for indoor flags, and charge accordingly.

US Flags: Indoor & Parade Use, Bemberg Rayon - Flags & Accessories - Military Gear | Parade Decorations
3 x 5 ft. Best Indoor American Flag "Bemberg" Embroidered Stars and Sewn Stripes, Pole Hem: American Flag and Gift

Do these really look that much better than nylon? Has anyone seen one of these? They don't seem to be sold at that many places. I've had an indoor nylon flag for the last 10 years or so and was wondering if I should "upgrade."

[PRGringo]

This is helping me a lot. I have noticed that a some nylon flags and being classified by the "Denier" (density of the weave) with 200 being advertised as Flag/Baner material.

I have also seen a newer product promising a higher reflectance nylon than ordinary nylon.

Is reflectance helpful or desireable for outdoor flags?

There are blends using wool, cotton, nylon and polyester in various ratios and flags of only one type of these materials. There are even a couple varieties of polyester (and Super-polyester), for example. Rayon (for flags) is new to me.

All in all, there are a lot of options to choose from. I am "torn" (pun intended) between polyester, nylon and cotton for my particular environment, which is high levels of sun radiation, high temperature, high humidity and wind speeds generally between 14 to 17 mph everyday.

So, I have begun an experiment of writing the date that I begin using my "daily" flag to see what kind of life I get and at what points I begin to notice fading and the material getting '"brittle", especially the polyesters.

I know that cloth quality will differ but I was wondering if anyone else had already done something similar.

[mattsaccount]

Rayon (for flags) is new to me.

I think rayon would never be used on outdoor flags since the colors would probably run in the rain. It also doesn't appear to be as tough of a fabric as other synthetics.

I'd done some reading on its properties, and found that there are several different kinds of rayon. "Bemberg rayon" is also called "cuprammonium rayon", and is only supposed to be dry cleaned.

All in all, there are a lot of options to choose from. I am "torn" (pun intended) between polyester, nylon and cotton for my particular environment, which is high levels of sun radiation, high temperature, high humidity and wind speeds generally between 14 to 17 mph everyday.

Cotton probably would not last that long. I think cotton flags are only intended for occasional use if you want to invoke a more "traditional" look.

[mattsaccount]

Well, I just ordered one of these Bemberg rayon flags. The price was obviously tough to swallow, but I figured I might as well give it a go. It probably doesn't make much sense, since there probably aren't that many people that would even notice the difference, but what the heck?

[american_flag_uk]

oh you have??? could you do me a favor then ? - when you get it could you take some pics of it- both in a laid out form , and when up on the indoor pole (if you have the whole set with the pole too) and put them on here - or email me them?

ive never seen or heard of such a flag before.. !!!

[mattsaccount]

Will do. I contacted the company I ordered it from first with a couple simple questions about it, and they commented that it will take some weeks because it's a "made to order" item, so it will take some time.

[PRGringo]

If you wouldn't mind sharing pics and your thoughts with us after you get it, that would be great!