Types of flagpoles in Spain

In Spain, the most common flagpole is a one-piece tapered pole of fibreglass or aluminium, seen in front of hotels, car dealers and company headquarters. On public buildings, on the other hand, flags usually hang from poles on the main balcony. This guide describes the types of flagpole offered by Spanish makers and how they differ.

Freestanding flagpoles

A freestanding flagpole is fixed to the ground and carries the flag at its top. The Spanish makers ClickBanderas and Banderas VDK make them in fibreglass and aluminium, in a single tapered piece, that is, wider at the base than at the tip. ClickBanderas offers heights of 4 to 10 metres in fibreglass and 4 to 16 metres in aluminium. The main difference between models lies in the system that holds the flag.

External halyard

This is the standard system: the flag is raised and lowered with a rope, the halyard, which runs down the outside of the pole and is tied to a cleat. According to ClickBanderas, the flag is not fully unfurled and depends on the strength of the wind. It is the system that allows the flag to be raised and lowered and flown at half-mast.

Internal halyard

The halyard and a counterweight run inside the pole and are reached through a small door with a lock. According to ClickBanderas, this makes the flag harder to steal and gives a cleaner finish. Banderas VDK offers versions with an internal counterweight or with a pulley and crank.

Rotating arm

An arm at the top, mounted on a rotating base with bearings, holds the flag by its upper edge. According to Banderas VDK, the flag’s sleeve slides onto the bar of the arm and a counterweight at the bottom tensions the fabric. According to ClickBanderas, it keeps the flag extended at all times, even without wind, and is the most widely used system in outdoor advertising. The flag has a sleeve along the top.

Balcony and façade poles

On town halls, provincial councils and regional government buildings, flags usually hang from short poles fixed to the balcony or façade, angled or horizontal, often in groups of three or four. These poles have no halyard: the flag is put up and taken down by hand and cannot be flown at half-mast. On days of mourning a black crêpe ribbon is often attached instead. The guide to half-mast covers this case.

Indoor staffs

In offices, council chambers and assembly halls, flags are mounted on indoor staffs with a base, topped by a finial. They are not hoisted: the flag is fixed to the staff. The Flag Regulation describes in detail the staffs of military flags, 2400 mm long, of bamboo or varnished wood, with a finial and a ferrule.

Portable flagpoles

For fairs and events there are flagpoles with a weighted base, which are not anchored to the ground. According to ClickBanderas, they are not recommended for flagpoles over 4 or 5 metres outdoors or in windy areas.

Flagpoles on State buildings

The Flag Regulation (Royal Decree 1511/1977) provides that, at State establishments where the flag is raised on a flagpole fixed to the ground, poles, masts and gaffs are of wood in a light walnut colour or metal painted white, with a height in proportion to the flag, and that the top carries a disc or truck with a sheave for the halyard.

Differences by use

Each system meets a different need: a halyard flagpole allows the flag to be raised and lowered and flown at half-mast; one with a rotating arm always shows the logo or message; one with an internal halyard protects the flag in public places. The guide to flagpole materials compares fibreglass and aluminium, and the guide to flagpole mechanics explains how the halyard and the rotating arm work.