Types of flagpoles in Belgium: from façade poles to ground poles
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the Dutch original. Where the two versions differ, the Dutch text is the original.
Flagpoles come in many forms. In Belgium, flags on public buildings fly, according to circular VR 2015/37, from poles on the roof, on the façade, against a window or on the pavement in front of the building. At homes, the choice is often a question of space: a façade pole in a street of terraced houses, a free-standing pole in a garden. This guide gives an overview of the common types.
Free-standing ground pole
The classic flagpole stands free in a garden, on a site or in front of a building, anchored in a foundation or a ground sleeve. The flag is hoisted with a halyard and pulley. Common lengths for homes are 6 to 8 metres, and higher at businesses and public buildings. Free-standing poles are usually made of aluminium, polyester (fibreglass) or wood. More on this is in the guide on flagpole materials.
A free-standing pole falls under the planning rules of the region. More on this is in the guide on flagpole installation.
Façade pole
A façade pole sticks out from the wall at an angle or horizontally and is fixed to the wall with a façade bracket. The flag is attached to the pole, with no halyard or pulley. Façade flags are smaller than flagpole flags, for example 60 × 90 cm or 100 × 150 cm. On Belgian terraced houses, town halls and schools, the façade pole is a familiar sight.
A façade pole that sticks out over the pavement hangs above the public highway. The municipality can have rules on this, for example on the clear height above the pavement.
Roof pole
On the flat roofs of public buildings and businesses, poles stand on a roof base or against the parapet. Circular VR 2015/37 mentions them explicitly. A roof pole needs a fixing designed for the wind load at that height, and maintenance takes place at height. More on this is in the guide on flagpole safety.
Banner pole
A banner pole has an arm or crossbar at the top from which a vertical banner flag hangs. The flag stays spread out even when there is little wind. Many businesses, car dealers and shops use banner poles for logo flags. Some arms turn with the wind, so that the flag does not wrap around the pole.
Telescopic and mobile poles
A telescopic pole consists of sections that slide into each other. It is extended to the desired height and stands in a ground sleeve or on a base. As there is no halyard, the flag is fixed to the pole with rings. Telescopic poles are popular in gardens and at campsites because they take up little space when retracted.
Mobile poles with a concrete base, a water tank or a ground spike are used at events, trade fairs and sports competitions. For temporary placement on public land, the municipality usually asks for permission.
Poles with an internal halyard
On a pole with an internal halyard, the halyard runs inside the pole and sits behind a lockable hatch. This protects against vandalism and theft of the flag, and the halyard does not slap against the pole. Circular VR 2015/37 points out that isolated poles are more exposed to vandalism and theft. How it works is covered in the guide on flagpole mechanics.
Which pole for which place
- Terraced house or flat: a façade pole on the wall or balcony
- Garden of a house: a free-standing pole of 6 to 8 metres or a telescopic pole
- Association or sports club: one or more free-standing poles, often with an internal halyard
- Business or shop: a row of banner poles or poles with logo flags
- Public building: poles for the official flags, in the order of flag protocol
More on choosing the height is in the guide on flagpole heights.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a flagpole and a façade pole?
A flagpole stands free in the ground or on a base, usually with a halyard and pulley to hoist the flag. A façade pole is a shorter pole that sticks out from the wall at an angle, with the flag fixed to it. In Belgian streets of terraced houses, the façade pole is common.
Where do flags fly on public buildings?
Circular VR 2015/37 of the Flemish Government mentions poles on the roof, on the façade, against a window and on the pavement in front of the building. For the order of precedence, the position of the poles makes no difference, according to the circular.
What is a banner pole?
A pole with an arm or crossbar at the top from which a vertical banner flag hangs. The flag stays spread out and visible even in light wind. Banner poles are widely used at businesses and shops.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Dutch:
- Omzendbrief VR 2015/37 over de bevlagging van de openbare gebouwen – Flemish Government
- Zo kies je het juiste formaat vlag bij jouw vlaggenmast – DVC Signstore (flag supplier)
- Wetgevend kader van de omgevingsvergunning voor stedenbouwkundige handelingen – Department of Environment (Flemish Government)
Related guides
- Flagpole materialsAluminium, polyester, wood and steel as materials for a flagpole in Belgium: weight, maintenance and behaviour in wind and sea air.
- Flagpole heightsFlagpole heights in Belgium: common lengths for homes, associations and businesses, the link to flag size, the wind zones and the permit rules by region.
- Flagpole mechanicsHow a flagpole works: external and internal halyards, pulley and revolving truck, counterweight, tilting base and why a flag wraps around the pole.
- Price of a flagpoleWhat affects the price of a flagpole in Belgium: material, height, wind zone, halyard system, foundation and installation, plus the guarantee.