Different types of flagpoles in Sweden

Flagpoles come in more variants than one might think. They differ in how they stand, how the halyard runs and how easy they are to look after. According to Riksarkivet, there are no official Swedish rules on the design of flagpoles. Here is an overview of the most common types.

Free-standing flagpole

The classic flagpole stands free in the garden, in a ground sleeve or on a concrete foundation. It is normally white with a gilded finial and today usually made of glass-fibre reinforced plastic. It is the type that the rules on half-mast and the flying times assume.

Common at: houses, holiday homes, housing cooperatives, businesses and public buildings.

Hinged flagpole

A hinged, or tilting, pole is a free-standing pole that sits in a base with a hinge or two bolts. When one bolt is loosened, the pole can be lowered to the ground. This means the halyard, pulley and finial can be replaced from the ground, without a ladder or lift, and the pole can be laid down ahead of a storm or for painting.

Common at: houses and holiday homes. Many manufacturers offer a hinged base as an option.

Fixed pole with ground sleeve

The pole is inserted into a sleeve set in concrete in the ground. The sleeve means the pole can be lifted out and replaced without redoing the foundation. It is worth bearing in mind that a tall pole can require several people or a lift for lifting and raising.

Telescopic flagpole

A telescopic pole consists of tubes that slide out of one another. It is easy to install and move and is often used at summer cottages, caravans, moorings and campsites. Telescopic poles are usually shorter and lighter than fixed poles, and the flag often sits on rings that turn around the pole instead of on a halyard.

Wall and balcony pole

A short pole that projects at an angle from a house wall, railing or balcony and carries a smaller wall or balcony flag. At half-mast, according to Riksarkivet, the flag is lowered to the middle of the wall pole. It is worth bearing in mind that a wall pole on an apartment building or commercial property can in some cases require planning permission as an alteration to the façade, see the guide to flagpoles for businesses.

External or internal halyard

• External halyard: the line runs on the outside of the pole, over a pulley at the top and down to a cleat. It is simple and inexpensive, but the line can slap against the pole in the wind and is accessible to anyone.
• Internal halyard: the line runs inside the pole and is reached through a lockable hatch. It gives protection against theft and vandalism and a quieter pole. Internal halyards are common at businesses, schools and public places.

How the halyard, pulley and hinged base work is described in the guide to flagpole mechanics.

Pole with a rotating top

Some poles have a rotating top or pennant holder that turns with the wind, so that the pennant or flag does not wrap itself around the pole. This is particularly practical for the pennant, which often stays up around the clock. More in the guide to flagpole accessories.

Types and common uses

It is worth bearing in mind that the height in relation to the ridge of the roof and the distance to the property boundary affect what suits a site. A flagpole counts as a mast, and planning permission is required if it stands closer to the boundary than its own height. More in the guides to flagpole heights and flagpole materials.