Tips for Displaying the US Flag at Your Business

A well-displayed flag sets the tone the moment a customer arrives. It signals care, respect, and attention to detail. In a retail plaza, a corner café, or a corporate campus, the way you fly the flag becomes part of the experience. Plan the location, scale, and lighting with the same care you give your signage and landscaping.

Thinking big? A large American flag can look stunning, but it needs the right pole, anchors, and lighting plan. Pick quality materials that handle local wind and sun. Then follow the protocol so the display meets both safety needs and the spirit of the Flag Code.

Choose the Right Location and Height

Start with a location people can see from the primary approach. Place the pole in clear view of the entrance or at a focal point on the site. Keep generous setbacks from power lines, trees, roofs, and parking circulation. Do not block exits, wayfinding signs, fire lanes, or ADA routes. Give the flag room to move freely without striking walls, lights, or vehicles.

Height should fit the site. A small storefront reads best with a building-mounted set at 6 to 10 feet above grade. A freestanding pole works well for larger sites. Scale the flag to the pole so it never looks cramped or oversized. As a simple guide, a 3 by 5 foot flag pairs with a 20 foot pole, a 4 by 6 with a 25 foot pole, and a 5 by 8 with a 30 foot pole. Larger poles benefit from engineered foundations and professional installation.

Mind the surroundings. Corner lots and multitenant centers need a placement that welcomes everyone, not just one suite. If your center already has a shared flag, coordinate with management before adding another. Too many flags in a small area create visual noise and weaken the effect.

Get Mounting, Materials, and Lighting Right

Use hardware rated for outdoor duty. Halyards, snap hooks, trucks, and cleats take daily load, so buy commercial grade components. Coastal and high sun areas call for UV-resistant, corrosion-resistant finishes. Stainless or powder-coated parts last longer than low-grade steel. Tighten hardware on a schedule and replace worn lines before they fail.

Choose the right fabric. Nylon and polyester handle rain and wind better than cotton. Nylon flies in light breeze and dries fast. Polyester holds up well in strong winds. Reserve cotton for ceremonial indoor use. Reinforced fly ends extend life in busy corridors where flags see constant motion.

Light the flag when you fly it after dark. Aim two or more LED up-lights at the field from different angles to reduce shadows. Keep fixtures low-glare and bright enough to show the colors clearly from a typical viewing distance. Bury or shield cables and set timers or photocells so the lights turn on automatically at dusk. If you cannot light the flag at night, bring it down at sunset.

Follow Daily Protocol and Half-Staff Rules

Raise the flag briskly at opening and lower it with care at closing when you do not light it. Keep the union, the blue field with stars, at the top and to the flag’s own right. Never let the flag touch the ground. Bring it inside during severe storms unless you fly an all-weather flag and the pole and anchors can handle the conditions.

Use clean half-staff practice. When the nation or your state calls for half-staff, raise the flag to the peak first, then lower it to the halfway point. At the end of the day, return it to the peak before bringing it down. On Memorial Day, fly half-staff until noon, then return to full staff for the rest of the day. Post a short notice at your entrance so visitors know the reason for the observance.

Train one or two team members to own the daily routine. Assign backups for vacations and holidays. A simple checklist avoids mistakes and keeps the display consistent. Add reminders to your calendar for national observances and state proclamations so you can respond quickly and appropriately.

Respect Order of Precedence and Company Branding

When you display the US flag with other flags, give it the place of honor. Outdoors, put it at the peak when flying on one staff. When using multiple staffs, place the US flag to its own right, which appears leftmost to viewers. Keep it the same height or higher than other flags. Do not place corporate or product flags above it or on the same halyard.

Indoors, place the flag to the speaker’s right in meeting rooms. On a wall, hang it flat with the union at the upper left from the viewer’s perspective. Avoid using the flag as a table cover, seat cover, or drapery. If you want a brand backdrop, use a graphic of your colors or a tasteful pattern, not the flag itself. Keep logos off the flag and off the staff that holds it.

Coordinate colors. Nearby awnings, banners, and patio umbrellas should not fight the red, white, and blue. Use neutral or muted tones close to the pole. If you change seasonal décor, check sightlines so trees or holiday items do not crowd the display.

Set Indoor Displays for Lobbies and Events

Reception areas benefit from a clean indoor set. Use a polished floor stand with a properly sized indoor flag. The bottom edge should rest just above the floor when displayed straight, not puddling. Gold fringe is optional for indoor ceremonial flags. Keep cords and tassels neat and untangled.

For events, stage the flag where cameras can record it without glare. Avoid placing it in front of bright windows that turn the flag into a silhouette. Aim soft lights from the sides and avoid hot spots. If you host a swearing-in, award ceremony, or memorial, brief the emcee on protocol so introductions, pledges, and moments of silence flow with respect.

Rotate worn indoor flags into repair or retirement before fraying becomes obvious. Indoor settings create close-up views, so seams and edges need to look sharp. A wrinkled or dusty flag reads as neglect. Keep a small steamer and lint brush in your event kit for quick fixes.

Maintain, Repair, and Retire With Respect

Inspect weekly. Look for frayed fly ends, broken stitching, faded colors, and loose grommets. Trim minor fray and restitch before damage spreads. Wash outdoor nylon or polyester flags on gentle cycles as needed, then air dry. Heavy soil or oil stains shorten life, so clean early rather than late.

Keep a spare on hand. Swap flags at the first sign of serious wear. Do not leave a tattered flag aloft. Store clean, dry flags folded and protected from dust and sunlight. For long storage, use acid-free tissue and a breathable box.

Retire worn flags in a dignified way. Local veterans’ groups, Scouts, and many fire departments offer flag retirement services. If you handle retirement yourself, follow a respectful ceremony and burn the fabric completely in a safe, controlled setting. Document the process for your records if your business maintains compliance logs.