Flag Materials
Different materials used in the construction of a flag will give the flag different characteristics. Some materials are lighter weight, allowing the flag to fly attractively in lighter breezes. Other materials are heavier, giving the flag greater durability in high winds. Some materials are more resistant to fading from the sun or damage from exposure to air pollution. There is no one flag material that is best for all possible conditions. Therefore, most of our flags are available in more than one fabric in order to give our customers the option of matching the fabric to your needs. The most popular flag fabrics fall into these categories:
Cotton, Nylon, Polyester, and Hercules Cloth (the new, high-tech alternative)
All our flag fabrics are the best of their respective kinds.
- Defiance is a sturdy bunting made of 100% mercerized cotton, superior in strength to U.S. Government specifications. Its colors are fast to sun and rain, making it suitable for a wide range of applications where good overall performance is required. However, cotton can't match the durability of our synthetic fabrics.
- Nyl-Glo is a heavyweight, 100% nylon bunting that produces a true all-weather flag. Its close weave lets it fly in the lightest breeze, assuring the most effective flag display. Nyl-Glo flags are fast drying and have brilliant, fast colors. The fabric's excellent tensile strength and durability combine with lustrous beauty make it an excellent all-around choice. The attractive price of Nyl-Glo flags make them a outstanding value as well. Nyl-Glo has earned its reputation as the most popular flag fabric in millions of installations.
- Tough-Tex is a woven, two-ply, 100% spun polyester bunting. This heavy-duty fabric is has been developed and engineered specifically for industrial, commercial, and institutional applications where high winds and other severe stress factors are likely to cause lesser materials to wear prematurely. The open weave of Tough-Tex reduces its wind resistance which reduces abrasion and increases flag life. Tough-Tex provides appreciably longer wear (and therefore improved economy) for large flags subjected to daily display.
- Hercules is a new, high-tech fabric manufactured especially for Oates Flag. Flags made of Hercules cloth combine the traditional beauty of cotton with the high-tech features and durability required by the most demanding applications. Like Tough-Tex, Hercules is a tough, woven, two-ply polyester fabric with an open weave to reduce wind resistance. However, Hercules has a softer, cotton-like feel that gives it a better drape and flying characteristics than the stiffer Tough-Tex. Hercules cloth also has a special coating to make it even more resistant to the effects of air pollution.