Lifespan and sustainability of flagpole and flag in Norway
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the Norwegian original. Where the two versions differ, the Norwegian text is the original.
A flagpole is one of the longest-lasting products in a garden, while the flag and pennant are consumables. How long they last depends on the material, the site and how much they are used. The guide describes what affects the lifespan, and what happens to flag and pole when they are worn out.
Lifespan
| Part | What affects the lifespan |
|---|---|
| Glass fibre pole | UV radiation, surface damage |
| Aluminium pole | Corrosion on fittings, dents |
| Wooden pole | Rot at the base, maintenance |
| Halyard | Sun, wind, friction against the pulley |
| Pulley and finial | Wear, ice |
| Flag | How often it is up, wind, sun, salt |
| Pennant | Often up day and night and wears quickly |
Flaggstangsfabrikken describes its glass fibre poles as poles that last for generations. Section 27 of the Consumer Purchases Act has a five-year complaint period for items that in normal use are intended to last considerably longer than two years, and a flagpole is usually such an item.
What wears most
- Wind: a fluttering flag wears at the fly edge, where it starts to fray.
- Sun: UV radiation bleaches the colours and breaks down the fabric and the halyard.
- Salt: on the coast, salt wears both fabric and metal.
- Ice and snow: increase the load on halyard, pulley and pole in winter.
A flag that is only up on flag days and special occasions lasts much longer than a pennant that stays up all year. Many take down flag and pennant in a storm, which extends their life.
When the flag is worn out
According to Flagg.no, a faded and worn flag is no longer worthy as a national symbol and is replaced. Store norske leksikon describes the custom for disposal: the flag is unpicked along the seams so that each colour is separated from the others, before it is burnt. The custom is not laid down in law. Today, many hand the textile in to the municipality’s waste scheme once the colours are separated.
When the pole is worn out
An old flagpole is usually taken to a recycling centre. Aluminium and steel can be recycled as metal. Glass fibre is a composite that is harder to recycle. Wooden poles can be handed in as timber, but painted or treated wood is often sorted separately. Flaggstangsfabrikken states that it can remove an old pole and take it to disposal when delivering a new one.
A longer life
Much of the lifespan is decided by the care: a halyard replaced before it breaks, a pulley kept clean, and a flag taken in when not in use. What is checked is covered in the guide to flagpole maintenance, and common damage in the guide to flagpole repair. How the materials differ is covered in the guide to flagpole materials, and the custom for handling the flag in the guide to flag rules.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a flagpole last?
A flagpole in glass fibre or aluminium is made to last for decades, and the maker Flaggstangsfabrikken describes its glass fibre poles as poles that last for generations. Halyard, pulley and finial wear faster and are replaced along the way.
How long does a Norwegian flag last?
It varies a great deal. A flag that is only up on flag days can last many years, while a pennant that stays up day and night on an exposed site wears faster. Wind, sun and salt wear it most.
How is a worn-out Norwegian flag disposed of?
According to Store norske leksikon, it is customary for a worn-out flag to be unpicked along the seams so that the colours are separated, before it is burnt. Many hand the textile in to the municipal waste scheme once the colours are separated.
What happens to an old flagpole?
An old flagpole is usually taken to a recycling centre. Aluminium and steel can be recycled as metal, while glass fibre is harder to recycle. Flaggstangsfabrikken states that it can remove an old pole and take it to disposal.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Norwegian:
- Hvilken høyde skal flaggstangen ha? – Flaggstangsfabrikken (produsent)
- Flaggregler (Norge) – behandling av flagget – Store norske leksikon
- Flaggregler, flaggtider og offentlige flaggdager – Flagg.no (bransje)
- Lov om forbrukerkjøp (forbrukerkjøpsloven), § 27 – Lovdata
Related guides
- Flagpole materialsFlagpole materials in Norway: glass fibre, aluminium, steel and wood – properties, maintenance and how coast, snow and frost in Norway affect the choice.
- Flagpole maintenanceMaintaining a flagpole and flag in Norway: what is checked in spring and autumn, halyard, pulley and foundation, and how the flag is cared for.
- Flagpole repairCommon damage to flagpoles in Norway: a broken halyard, a jammed pulley, a leaning pole, cracks and corrosion – the causes, and who usually does the repair.
- Flag rulesFlag rules in Norway: flag times under the flag regulation, who the rules apply to, the state flag and the customs for handling and disposing of the flag.