The worlds tallest unsupported flagpole is located in Amman, Jordan. Erected in 2003, the carbon steel pole juts 416 feet into the sky and weighs a staggering 190,000 pounds. A flagpole of that magnitude requires an extremely heavy foundation upwards of 600 tons and is therefore bolted to the foundation by 36 carbon steel bolts. It is built to withstand winds up ninety miles per hour with the flag attached, as well as earthquakes. Design and construction took two whole years and a number of major corporations cooperating to get it erected.

Your own flagpole project may not be as daunting, but the engineering concepts are exactly the same.

First, you must decide on the height of your flagpole and the size of your flag. Generally, the length of the flag should be 25 to 40 percent of the height of the pole.

A standard commercial flagpole is thirty to thirty-five feet tall. However, if you just want to make a statement on the front lawn of your home, you are going to go a bit shorter. Residential flagpoles usually hover in the twenty- to twenty-five-foot range for a one- or two-story home.

The other major decision is what material your pole should be made of. Aluminum and fiberglass offer the best value for their durability, but flagpoles are also available in bronze, carbon steel, and stainless steel. Wood, while attractive, is the weakest of materials, and so is mainly used for wallmounted flags. In the case of fiberglass and bronze, you can choose almost any color you like. Carbon steel and stainless steel are usually reserved for larger flagpoles.