Flagpoles underwent many changes over the years since the US flag was first flown. Before the industrial revolution flagpoles were only made out of wood. While some Rustic-themed American flagpole companies still make this craft, the majority of American flagpole producers use stronger materials to make longer-lasting flagpoles, check my site.

The first flagpoles were made by Carpenters who hand-sawed straight trees. These trees were then shaped with whittling before being sanded to smoothen the surface. The poles were then left to dry in animal fat for several days. This was done to ensure that the wood was saturated. These poles are durable and can be kept in good condition for up to 50 years. These flagpoles looked great, but due to their direct installation into the ground they can easily become rotted.

At the beginning of the 20th century, flagpoles were made from steel tubes and masts. Older wooden poles became less common. A growing number flagpole producers used the inspiration from steel shafts and cargo booms aboard large ships to make their flagpoles in 1929, after the stock market crash. This type was the most common in the industry for more then twenty years. This was the next evolution stage and is perhaps the most familiar among all the everyday inspirations. Aluminum was the new material used for flagpoles. Aluminum is today’s most preferred flagpole material.

Aluminum can display many different characteristics. These unique properties allow for it to alter at molecular levels. This creates different products for different uses. 6063, an aluminum alloy, is the most popular for making flagpoles. This alloy can be extruded as pipe, tube or tube. All must be made according to ASTM B241, “Aluminum Aluminum Semless Pipe” and the “Aluminum Aluminum Tube Extruded Tube” standards. Heat treatment is used to harden most poles in order to obtain the most durable form of this alloy. This temper rating gives you an unbelievable level of stress, at approximately 25,000 lb/in. It also allows for tubes with a design strain of 18,000 lbs/in.