How to Display the American Flag at Home: House, Porch, Wall and Apartment

The correct way to display the American flag at home depends on where it will be placed. A flag mounted from a porch uses a different installation than one hung vertically on a wall, displayed inside a window, flown from an in-ground pole, or mounted on an apartment balcony. The orientation of the union—the blue field of stars—also changes according to the type of display.

This is a research-based guide to displaying the American flag at a house, porch, wall, window, condominium, or apartment. It summarizes the current federal customs in Title 4 of the United States Code and adds practical guidance on flag size, material, clearance, lighting, weather, mounting hardware, association rules, and rental restrictions. It is not legal, electrical, or structural advice.

American Flag Home-Display Chart

What Does the U.S. Flag Code Say About Home Display?

The civilian display customs appear in Title 4, Chapter 1 of the United States Code. The provisions most relevant to a homeowner or apartment resident are:

• 4 U.S.C. § 6: Customary display times, illumination after dark, and inclement-weather guidance.
• 4 U.S.C. § 7: Position of the flag on a house-mounted staff, wall, window, street, or display with other flags.
• 4 U.S.C. § 8: Respectful handling and protection from contact, soiling, tearing, and damage.

Sunrise to sunset—or proper illumination

The customary outdoor display period is sunrise to sunset. The flag may remain displayed 24 hours a day when it is properly illuminated during darkness.

Ordinary rain vs. severe weather

The Code says the flag should not be displayed during inclement weather unless an all-weather flag is used. An all-weather label does not mean that a flag, pole, bracket, or building is safe in every thunderstorm, hurricane, ice storm, or high-wind event.

Keep the flag from damage

The flag should not touch the ground, floor, water, or merchandise, and it should not be displayed or stored in a way that permits it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged.

For the complete federal rules, half-staff protocol, ceremonial use, care, and retirement, read BuyAmerican.com’s American flag etiquette and U.S. Flag Code guide.

How to Display the American Flag on a House

The most common house display uses a five- or six-foot pole projecting horizontally or at an angle from an exterior wall. Under 4 U.S.C. § 7, the union should be placed at the peak of the staff.

Where should a house flag be mounted?

Choose a location that provides visibility and adequate clearance without interfering with the doorway, steps, lighting, gutters, roof, landscaping, vehicles, or utility equipment.

Common locations include:

• Beside the front door
• On a structural porch column
• On the front wall beside a garage
• On a side wall visible from the street
• On a dedicated post near the entrance

The best location is not necessarily the highest point that can be reached. It is the location where the flag can fly freely without striking the building or creating a safety problem.

Check clearance through the flag’s entire movement area

A five-foot-long flag can sweep through a much wider area as the wind changes direction. Before mounting the bracket, visualize or measure the flag’s full movement around the pole.

Keep it clear of:

• Roof shingles and metal flashing
• Gutters and downspouts
• Brick corners and rough masonry
• Vinyl or wood siding
• Porch railings and columns
• Tree branches and shrubs
• Holiday decorations
• Exterior lights
• Doors and garage doors
• Sidewalks and steps

Repeated contact with a roof edge, wall, or branch can damage the fly end quickly, even when the flag itself is well made.

Mount the bracket to an appropriate structural surface

Follow the pole and bracket manufacturer’s instructions. Decorative siding, thin trim, column wraps, and masonry veneer may not provide adequate support by themselves.

Before drilling:

• Identify the underlying structural material.
• Confirm that the fasteners are suitable for the wall construction.
• Check for concealed electrical wiring, plumbing, flashing, and moisture barriers.
• Confirm that the bracket is rated for the selected pole and flag.
• Use exterior-rated, corrosion-resistant hardware where specified.
• Use a qualified installer when the wall construction or load path is uncertain.

Do not copy a screw type or mounting method from another home without confirming that the materials are the same.

Which direction should the stars face on a house-mounted pole?

A flag flown from a staff does not use the same observer-left rule as a flat wall display. Attach the flag normally to the staff so that its union is at the peak. Do not reverse or rotate the flag to make the stars appear on a particular side from one viewing direction.

How to Display the American Flag on a Front Porch

A porch display normally uses a wall- or column-mounted pole beside the entrance. A 3-by-5-foot nylon flag on a five- or six-foot pole is a practical starting point for many homes, while a 2.5-by-4-foot flag may fit a narrow porch or low roofline better.

Annin identifies a 3-by-5-foot flag as the most common residential size for a five- or six-foot house pole. Review the manufacturer’s current residential flag-sizing guidance and the specifications for the exact pole and bracket.

Choose a mounting side with enough room

The flag can be mounted on either side of the entrance if it has adequate clearance and the display remains orderly. Consider:

• Which side provides more open space
• The direction of the prevailing wind
• Door swing and storm-door clearance
• Porch lights and address signs
• Steps, railings, planters, and furniture
• Whether the flag will obstruct a security camera
• Whether it will interfere with deliveries or visitors

Do not drape the flag over the porch railing

An actual American flag should not be used as drapery. Do not throw it over a railing, gather it into decorative folds, or use it as a table or bench covering.

For red, white, and blue porch decoration, use purpose-made bunting. The Flag Code’s customary arrangement places blue above white and white above red.

Keep the flag above the steps and landscaping

The lower fly corner should remain clear of the porch floor, steps, handrail, shrubs, flowerpots, and ground under ordinary movement.

A smaller flag is a better choice than forcing a 3-by-5-foot flag into a narrow space where it repeatedly touches the house.

Reduce twisting without overcomplicating the hardware

Depending on the pole design, anti-furling rings or a spinning pole may reduce wrapping. Confirm that:

• The rings match the pole diameter.
• The flag’s grommets or pole sleeve are compatible.
• The system does not allow the flag to slide off the pole.
• All moving parts remain secure in wind.
• Replacement parts are available.

No anti-furling system works perfectly in every wind condition. Inspect the flag periodically and untangle it when necessary and safe.

How to Display the American Flag From an In-Ground Residential Pole

A permanent ground-set pole can provide greater visibility and separation from the house, but it requires substantially more planning than a porch bracket.

Before purchasing or installing one, evaluate:

• Local height and setback rules
• Homeowners-association requirements
• Underground utilities
• Overhead power lines
• Soil and drainage
• Foundation specifications
• Wind exposure
• Flagged and unflagged wind ratings
• Lighting
• Access for maintenance

A 20-foot ground-set pole with a manufacturer-approved 3-by-5-foot or 4-by-6-foot flag is a common residential starting point, but pole designs and load ratings vary. Use the complete residential flagpole buying guide before choosing the height, material, halyard, foundation, and flag size.

For a detailed size chart covering house poles and in-ground poles, review what size American flag you need.

How to Hang the American Flag on a Wall

A fabric American flag may be displayed horizontally or vertically against a wall. In either orientation, place the union uppermost and to the flag’s own right—which means the observer’s left.

Horizontal wall display

When facing the flag:

• The blue union belongs in the upper-left corner.
• The stripes extend horizontally to the right.
• The flag should remain flat and supported.
• The fabric should not drag against furniture, the floor, or a doorway.

Vertical wall display

When the flag is turned into a vertical position:

• The union remains in the upper-left corner from the observer’s perspective.
• The stripes run vertically downward.
• Do not rotate it in the direction that moves the union to the upper-right.

Use a mounting method that protects the fabric

The Flag Code does not prescribe one wall-mounting product, but it says the flag should not be fastened or displayed in a way that permits it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged.

Possible methods include:

• A purpose-made flag frame
• A rod-and-sleeve system
• Grommet-compatible hooks
• Textile-safe display supports
• A mounting system recommended by a professional framer or textile conservator

Avoid exposed fasteners, rough hooks, aggressive adhesive, or tape that can tear fabric, leave residue, or discolor the flag.

Outdoor wall displays require additional care

A flat fabric flag mounted to an exterior wall can trap moisture, rub against masonry, and place repeated stress on attachment points. Use only materials and mounting hardware approved for the intended exposure, and inspect the display after wind or rain.

Wooden American flags and patriotic wall art

A wooden American flag is decorative wall art rather than a fabric flag intended to fly from a pole. It can be a practical option for apartments, offices, living rooms, veteran spaces, and homes where an exterior installation is not permitted.

Review the finished dimensions, weight, wood construction, hanging hardware, indoor or outdoor rating, and exact origin statement before ordering. Browse current wooden American flags and patriotic wall art.

How to Display the American Flag in a Window

When the flag is displayed in a window, place the union to the left of the observer viewing it from the street.

This perspective is easy to reverse accidentally. The correct orientation is determined from outside the building—not from inside the room.

How to check the window orientation

1. Place the flag temporarily inside the window.
2. Go outside or ask another person to view it from the street-facing side.
3. Confirm that the blue union appears in the viewer’s upper-left corner.
4. Secure the flag only after the orientation is confirmed.

Protect the flag from the window and sunlight

Consider:

• Whether condensation forms on the glass
• Whether direct sunlight will cause fading
• Whether the flag blocks an emergency exit
• Whether it interferes with blinds, shades, or ventilation
• Whether adhesive or hooks can damage the flag or window
• Whether the flag remains clearly visible after dark

An inside-window display can be one of the simplest options for an apartment resident because it avoids exterior drilling and falling-object risk, but lease and building rules should still be reviewed.

How to Display the American Flag in an Apartment

Apartment residents should separate flag etiquette from property permission. The Flag Code explains how a flag should be oriented and treated; it does not automatically authorize drilling into a landlord’s wall, clamping hardware to a balcony, or placing objects outside a railing.

Read the lease and building rules first

Check for provisions covering:

• Exterior decorations
• Balcony and railing attachments
• Drilling or permanent fasteners
• Items visible from outside
• Windborne or falling objects
• Window coverings
• Fire-code and emergency-egress requirements
• Seasonal-display dates

USA.gov advises renters to read their lease carefully and follow the agreed rental rules before escalating a landlord dispute. Its current tenant-rights resource provides links to state agencies and legal-aid resources.

Safer apartment-display options

Do not simply drape the flag over a balcony railing

A loosely draped flag may:

• Be used as drapery rather than displayed as a flag
• Touch the balcony floor or structure
• Blow onto another balcony or public walkway
• Interfere with drainage or railing use
• Become a falling or windborne object

When a flat balcony display is expressly permitted, orient and secure it as a horizontal or vertical flag rather than folding it over the top rail.

Do not rely on an unapproved clamp

A clamp that fits around a railing is not automatically safe for that railing or building. Confirm:

• Railing shape and material
• Manufacturer approval
• Maximum flag and pole size
• Wind limitations
• Whether a secondary safety tether is permitted and required
• Whether the clamp can damage a protective coating
• Whether any part can fall outside the balcony

Written building approval is preferable to relying on a verbal assumption.

Can an HOA or Condominium Association Prohibit the American Flag?

The Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 applies to qualifying condominium associations, cooperative associations, and residential real-estate-management associations.

The Act generally prevents those associations from adopting or enforcing a policy that restricts or prevents a member from displaying the United States flag on residential property in which the member has a separate ownership interest or a right to exclusive possession or use.

The federal protection is not unlimited

The Act allows reasonable restrictions on the time, place, or manner of display when those restrictions are necessary to protect a substantial association interest.

Depending on the facts and applicable law, an association may still regulate matters such as:

• Flagpole height and location
• Structural modifications
• Attachment to common property
• Lighting and glare
• Safety and wind load
• Obstruction of walkways or sight lines
• Maintenance of mounting hardware
• Reasonable size or placement requirements

The Act does not create a blanket renter exception

The federal Act defines association “members” primarily in terms of owners of condominium, cooperative, or residential property. An ordinary apartment renter should not assume that the Act overrides a lease, a landlord’s exterior-building rules, or applicable state law.

State statutes may provide additional protections for owners or tenants. Review the governing documents, request the applicable rule in writing, and obtain qualified legal advice for a specific dispute.

How to Display the American Flag With Other Flags at Home

On the same halyard

When a state, city, military-service, or organizational flag is flown on the same halyard, place the United States flag at the peak.

Before adding another flag, confirm that the pole, halyard, bracket, and hardware are rated for the combined size, weight, and wind load.

On separate adjacent staffs

When the U.S. flag is displayed beside a state, city, or organizational flag:

• Hoist the U.S. flag first.
• Lower it last.
• Do not place the other flag above it.
• Do not place the other flag to the U.S. flag’s own right.

With another national flag

Flags of different nations should be flown from separate staffs of the same height and should be approximately equal in size during peacetime. Do not place one nation’s flag above another.

Crossed staffs on a wall

Place the United States flag on its own right, which is the observer’s left, and place its staff in front of the other staff.

Can the American Flag Be Displayed at Night?

Yes. The Flag Code allows 24-hour display when the flag is properly illuminated during darkness.

The Code does not prescribe a specific fixture, wattage, beam angle, or lumen level. A practical residential installation should provide dependable lighting that makes the flag clearly recognizable after dark.

Lighting options

• Ground-mounted low-voltage spotlight
• Building-mounted exterior fixture
• Purpose-built flagpole light
• Solar light designed for the exact pole and site
• Existing architectural lighting that reliably illuminates the flag

Questions to ask before relying on a solar light

• Does the solar panel receive sufficient direct sunlight?
• Will the battery last through the longest nights?
• Does the beam cover the flag as the wind changes direction?
• Can the fixture be serviced without unsafe climbing?
• Does the light continue operating during cloudy weather?

Avoid glare and unsafe wiring

Position lights so they do not shine unnecessarily into neighboring windows, toward drivers, or into the home. Use outdoor-rated electrical components and qualified installation where hardwiring or new circuits are required.

Can the American Flag Stay Outside in Rain, Wind, or Snow?

Ordinary rain

An all-weather flag may be displayed during ordinary inclement weather. Confirm that the exact product is intended for outdoor use and inspect it after prolonged rain.

High wind

A larger flag or heavier fabric creates more load on the pole, bracket, and building. Remove the flag before damaging wind when it is safe to do so.

Do not go outside to retrieve a flag after dangerous conditions have already arrived. The National Weather Service warns people not to stand near isolated flagpoles during thunderstorms. Review current lightning-safety guidance and move indoors when thunder is heard.

Snow and ice

Wet snow and ice can add weight, restrict movement, damage stitching, and affect pole hardware. Do not strike, pull, or twist frozen components in a way that could tear the fabric or damage the pole.

Severe storms

Remove the flag in advance of hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, tornado-producing systems, damaging wind, hail, and ice storms. Follow the flagpole and bracket manufacturer’s severe-weather instructions.

Dry the flag before storage

Do not fold and store a wet flag. Allow it to dry completely in a clean area, then store it away from excessive moisture, pests, chemicals, and direct sunlight.

How to Choose a Flag, Pole, and Mount for Your Home

Choose the flag size first by available space and pole rating

For many homes:

• Five-foot house pole: Start with a 2.5-by-4-foot or 3-by-5-foot flag.
• Six-foot house pole: Start with a 3-by-5-foot flag.
• 15-foot in-ground pole: Start with a 3-by-5-foot flag.
• 20-foot in-ground pole: Start with a 3-by-5-foot or approved 4-by-6-foot flag.
• 25-foot in-ground pole: Start with a 4-by-6-foot or approved 5-by-8-foot flag.

These are practical starting points, not universal structural ratings. Use the exact pole manufacturer’s maximum flag specifications.

Choose nylon for many porch displays

Premium nylon is a practical all-around material for many residential wall-mounted poles because it is relatively light and can fly in a moderate or lighter breeze.

Choose polyester only when the pole and site support it

Two-ply spun polyester is heavier and is commonly selected for larger flags or more exposed locations. Do not place a large, heavy polyester flag on a lightweight porch pole merely because the dimensions appear to fit.

Compare the materials in BuyAmerican.com’s guide to nylon vs. polyester American flags.

Match the attachment method

Confirm whether the flag uses:

• Grommets
• A pole sleeve
• Tabs
• Rope and thimble
• Snap hooks

A flag with grommets does not attach to every pole in the same way as a sleeve-style banner.

Review the complete mounting system

A residential display may require:

• Flag
• Pole
• Bracket
• Correct fasteners
• Grommet clips or sleeve hardware
• Anti-furling rings
• Finial
• Nighttime lighting
• Replacement hardware

Determine what is included before ordering a “flag set.”

How to Verify a Made-in-USA American Flag

A United States flag design does not prove that the physical flag was manufactured domestically. An American brand name, U.S. warehouse, patriotic package, or “ships from the USA” statement is not the same as a Made-in-USA claim.

The Federal Trade Commission explains that an unqualified Made-in-USA claim generally requires the product to be “all or virtually all” made in the United States. Review the FTC’s current Made-in-USA compliance guidance.

Verify the exact flag and variant

Origin evidence should apply to the exact:

• Manufacturer
• Product line
• Size
• Fabric
• Printed, sewn, embroidered, or appliquéd construction
• Header
• Grommets or attachment system
• Final assembly

Preserve the supplier’s exact wording when a product is described as:

• Made in USA
• Made in USA with imported components
• Made in USA with global parts
• Assembled in USA
• Sewn or manufactured in a named U.S. facility

Use BuyAmerican.com’s guide to verifying whether a product is really made in the USA when evaluating a flag, pole, bracket, light, or decorative wall display.

American Flags and Home Displays at BuyAmerican.com

BuyAmerican.com currently brings together outdoor flags, historical flags, state and service flags, flag display cases, residential flagpoles, and patriotic decor from American businesses.

• Browse American-made flags and patriotic displays.
• Compare the best American flags made in the USA.
• Choose the right dimensions with the American flag size guide.
• Compare nylon and polyester flag materials.
• Explore wooden American flags and patriotic wall art for indoor displays.

Review each product page for exact dimensions, material, attachment method, included hardware, indoor or outdoor rating, current availability, shipping, returns, and product-level manufacturing evidence.

Common American Flag Display Mistakes at Home

American Flag Home-Display Checklist

Before installing or displaying the flag, confirm:

• The location is permitted by the owner, lease, association, and local rules.
• The flag orientation is correct for a staff, wall, or window.
• The union will remain uppermost.
• The flag will not touch the ground, floor, roof, wall, railing, landscaping, or other objects.
• The flag size is appropriate for the pole and available clearance.
• The material is appropriate for the wind and display frequency.
• The pole and bracket are rated for the selected flag.
• The mounting surface can support the installation.
• The fasteners are appropriate for the wall or railing material.
• No electrical wire, plumbing, flashing, or utility equipment will be damaged.
• The display remains safely away from overhead power lines.
• Balcony components cannot fall onto people or property below.
• The flag can be removed safely before severe weather.
• Nighttime illumination is dependable if the flag remains outside after dark.
• All-weather use is confirmed for the exact flag.
• The flag can be cleaned, dried, inspected, and stored properly.
• The exact Made-in-USA or qualified origin claim is documented.

Frequently Asked Questions About Displaying the American Flag at Home

Which side should the stars be on when the American flag hangs on a wall?

The union should be uppermost and to the observer’s left. When you face the flag, the blue field belongs in the upper-left corner.

Which side should the stars be on when the flag hangs vertically?

The stars remain uppermost and to the observer’s left. Do not rotate the flag so the union appears in the upper-right corner.

Which direction should the union face on a house-mounted pole?

Place the union at the peak of the projecting staff. A flag on a pole does not use the same observer-left rule as a flag mounted flat against a wall.

What size American flag should I put on my house?

A 3-by-5-foot flag is a common choice for a five- or six-foot house-mounted pole. A 2.5-by-4-foot flag may be better for a narrow porch, shorter pole, low roof, or location with limited clearance.

Is a 4-by-6-foot flag too large for a porch pole?

It is usually too large for a typical five- or six-foot residential wall pole. Use it only when the exact pole, bracket, fasteners, mounting surface, and available clearance are approved for that flag size and wind load.

How high should I mount an American flag on my house?

The federal Flag Code does not prescribe one residential mounting height. Position the bracket where the flag can fly freely without touching the ground, roof, wall, steps, doorway, plants, or people using the entrance.

Can I display the American flag on either side of my front door?

Yes. Choose the side with the safest structural mounting point and greatest clearance. The union should remain at the peak of the staff.

Can the American flag touch the side of the house?

The display should be arranged to prevent repeated contact. Rubbing against siding, brick, roofing, or gutters can soil and tear the fabric.

Can I hang the flag over my porch railing?

Do not loosely drape an actual flag over the railing. Use a proper pole, a securely mounted flat display, or purpose-made patriotic bunting.

Can I display the American flag in a window?

Yes. Place the union to the left of the observer viewing it from the street. Verify the orientation from outside before securing it.

Can I display the American flag inside my home?

Yes. It may be mounted horizontally or vertically on a wall, placed in a suitable frame, or displayed from a freestanding indoor flag set. Keep the union uppermost and to the observer’s left on a flat wall display.

Can I hang an American flag in an apartment?

Usually, but the permitted method depends on the lease, landlord, building rules, and applicable law. An indoor wall, window, or freestanding display may avoid exterior-building and falling-object concerns.

Can I mount an American flag on an apartment balcony?

Only after confirming that the lease and building rules permit the installation. Use approved hardware, respect wind limitations, prevent anything from falling, and do not allow the flag to touch the railing, floor, another balcony, or public area.

Can an HOA prohibit an American flag?

The Freedom to Display the American Flag Act generally prevents qualifying associations from completely restricting or preventing a member’s display on property in which the member has separate ownership or exclusive possession or use. Reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions necessary to protect a substantial association interest may still apply.

Does the federal flag-display law apply to every apartment tenant?

Not automatically. The federal Act’s definitions focus on owners and qualifying association members. A renter should review the lease, building rules, and state law rather than assuming the Act overrides a landlord’s property restrictions.

Can the American flag be left outside overnight?

Yes, when it is properly illuminated during darkness. Otherwise, the customary practice is to take it down at sunset.

Does a porch light count as flag illumination?

It may, if it reliably makes the flag clearly visible and recognizable after dark. A distant or partially blocked light may not provide adequate illumination throughout the flag’s movement area.

Can the American flag stay outside in the rain?

An all-weather flag may remain displayed during ordinary inclement weather. Remove the flag in advance of severe weather when safe to do so.

Should I use nylon or polyester on a porch?

Nylon is a practical starting choice for many residential porch poles because it is lighter and flies more easily in moderate wind. Heavy polyester is generally better suited to larger, stronger in-ground poles and more exposed locations.

Can I fly a state or military flag under the American flag?

Yes, when the pole and hardware are rated for the combined load. Place the United States flag at the peak.

Can another country’s flag be flown under the American flag?

International flags should ordinarily be displayed on separate staffs of the same height and should be approximately equal in size during peacetime.

Can I display the flag upside down as decoration?

No. Under the Flag Code, an upside-down display is reserved as a signal of dire distress involving extreme danger to life or property.

Can I use an actual American flag as a curtain or tablecloth?

No. The flag should not be used as drapery, bedding, a table covering, or general decoration. Use purpose-made bunting or flag-inspired decor instead.

Are wooden American flags suitable for outdoor display?

Only when the maker expressly states that the wood, finish, adhesives, joinery, and hardware are appropriate for the intended exterior exposure. Many wooden flags are indoor wall art.

How do I know whether an American flag is really made in the USA?

Verify the exact product-level claim and supporting supplier evidence. Do not rely only on the flag design, brand location, U.S. warehouse, or “ships from USA” language.

Final Recommendation

Choose the display in this order:

1. Identify the permitted location.
2. Determine whether the flag will use a projecting staff, wall, window, balcony, or in-ground pole.
3. Set the union in the correct orientation.
4. Measure the complete movement and clearance area.
5. Select a flag size that fits both the space and the pole rating.
6. Choose a material suited to the wind and exposure.
7. Use mounting hardware appropriate for the building or railing.
8. Plan lighting if the flag will remain displayed after dark.
9. Arrange safe removal before severe weather.
10. Verify the exact manufacturing-origin claim.

For many homeowners, a 3-by-5-foot nylon flag on a properly installed five- or six-foot house pole provides the most practical starting point. Apartment residents may be better served by an inside-window display, indoor wall installation, freestanding flag set, or properly mounted wooden American flag when exterior hardware is not permitted.

The best home display is not the largest or highest one. It is the display that presents the flag correctly, remains clear of damage, complies with property rules, and can be maintained safely.

Authoritative Sources and Further Reading

• U.S. Government Publishing Office: Title 4, Chapter 1—The Flag
• Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005
• USA.gov: The American Flag and Other National Symbols
• USA.gov: Tenant Rights and Landlord Disputes
• Annin Flagmakers: Residential Flag-Size Guidance
• National Weather Service: Lightning Safety
• Federal Trade Commission: Complying With the Made in USA Standard

Research reviewed August 15, 2026. Federal guidance, state law, local codes, leases, association rules, product specifications, availability, and manufacturing claims can change. Verify the applicable requirements and exact products before installing a flag or mounting system.