Field- The predominant color of a flag.
Cleat–The cleat(s) are attached to the flagpole, normally around 5′ above grade, and the halyard is wrapped around the cleat to secure it and keep the flag from moving up or down.
Color Fastness– a must-have for high quality flag poles. Color Fastness is the resistance of a material to change in any of its color characteristics, including the transfer of its colorants to adjacent materials and fading.
Joint– The device used to hold a 2-piece pole together.
Canton–The canton is also known as the top innermost corner of a flag. It is usually found on the upper, left-hand corner of a flag.
Front/Obverse- The surface seen when a flag is in its normal flying position – hoist on the left hand side.
Flag Hoist– Signal flags in a group attached to the same halyard and hoisted as a unit.
Single/Reverse– A flag which reads correctly from the front and reverse from the rear.
Butt Diameter–The diameter at the base of the flagpole. One of the contributing factors to a flagpole’s strength and wind rating.
Double Seal-A flag which reads correctly from both sides because a portion of the flag has another design sewn to the back side.
External Halyard–This refers to the rope system used to raise and lower the flag being on the outside of the flagpole.The external halyard uses a finial at the top of the flagpole and a cleat at the bottom of the flagpole which ties the rope off.
Finial– the decorative ornaments that are placed at the top of the flagpole. Finials can also serve to protect outdoor hollow flagpoles from the rain or be used to hold pulleys, which allow the flag to be raised and lowered.
Internal Halyard– The rope that raises and lowers the flag is hidden inside the flagpole.The halyard is accessed through a hinged door and is secured either with a winch (for cable) or a cam cleat (for rope).This internal halyard is made of wired polyester rope or stainless steel. While these are more expensive, they offer a cleaner look and added security.
Truck-The truck is the part of the in-ground flagpole that covers the top, holds the ornament in place, and includes the pulley to which the halyard is attached.
Flash Collar– The device that covers the flagpole base. It fits over the ground sleeve at the bottom of the flagpole.A sealant keeps the flash collar in place and water away from the base of the flagpole.
Foundation Tube– Cylinder tube used as a form for the concrete base of an in-ground flagpole.
Fringed– A flag with decorative fringe around all or part of its perimeter.
Finish– This is the natural state of brushed aluminum.For example, satin, black, powder, or black.
Snap Hook-A device used to attach a flag to the halyard (rope) on a flagpole. The hooks snap into the grommets of the flag.
Grommets– Brass rings or eyelets (normally in the heading) for mounting outdoor flags.
Nautical Flagpole: A flagpole that is equipped with yardarms and/or a gaff.
Yardarm- A horizontally mounted, tapered pole that is attached to a vertical flagpole, creating a lower case “t” or a cross. These are usually found in nautical applications, but can be used anywhere.
Gaff- The gaff is an extension off of a nautical pole that typically comes off the front of the pole and goes up at an angle.The extension gives the option to have additional flag arrangements and flags. This also represents the mast of a ship.
Wall thickness- This refers to the thickness of the tubing used to construct the flagpole. It can be simplified to the amount of aluminum used in the flagpole’s construction and is determined according to height and wind requirements.
Shoe Base Foundation– The flagpole has a base welded on it that is used to install the flagpole using bolts, washers and huts. A shoe base is an alternative support option to a flash collar that usually includes a set of anchoring bolts fastened to a slab of concrete. The shoe base also uses a welded casting situated over the anchoring bolts. The welded base casting is held in place with nuts, lock washers, and flat washers.
Header- The header is a double-fold material placed along the hoist (pole side) of the flag, usually made of durable cotton or synthetic canvas.
Ground sleeve- A tube made of PVC or steel that rests underground and is used to stabilize an in-ground flagpole. The ground sleeve also keeps the area around the base of the flagpole protected from the elements. Steel ground sleeves, with lightning spikes, are most common. The lightning spike acts to distribute any electrical charges into the ground, protecting the pole and the people around it.
Pole Hem– The same heading as fabric sleeve but with a fabric lining.
Fabric Sleeve– A type of heading that adds a piece of fabric to an existing flag to construct a sleeve that usually slides over a pole, with a tab to attach near the top.
Roped Heading– A flag where the hoisted end is reinforced with a rope throughout the heading.
Swallowtail– This flag which comes to two or three points at the fly end.The name comes from the forked tail that is a common feature of the swallow family of birds.
Outrigger- A flagpole mounted on a building at an angle other than vertical.
Half-Staff – As a symbol of respect, during mourning, the flag is positioned halfway up on the flagpole
Fly End– The end of the flag that “flies” in the breeze, also the part of the flag that endures the most stress. The fly end is known as the flapping part of the flag that flies in the wind and can get easily frayed.