Consumer Portal
Common Questions
You offer flags made in different types of material, which should I choose?
Can I buy products directly from you, the manufacturer?
How do I clean my flag?
48, 49 & 50 Star Flags. How old? How much is it worth?
Why is my flag shorter / longer than the published description?
A storm came though and now I need replacement parts.
My flag has frayed.
What is the life expectancy of a flag?
My flag is ready to be retired
I purchased a 20' Commander pole and would like to add sections to make it taller.
What is the wind rating on your flag poles?
I am interested in becoming a Valley Forge Flag dealer.
The following is a breakdown of the materials we make flags from and their benefits.
BEST®:
• Traditional and great looking flag material
• Comprised of 2x2 ply mercerized cotton
• Combines extremely rich, vibrant, long lasting colors
• Ideal for special flag flying holidays and ceremonies
• Good wearing quality for excellent overall appearance and value
PERMA-NYL®:
• This heavyweight nylon is the most versatile flag fabric available
• Combination of strength and brilliant display
• Ideal for rainy areas because of its quick-drying ability
• Lightweight and close weave enable it to fly in the slightest breeze, giving the fullest visual effect
DURATEX II®:
• Tricot knit polyester
• Lightweight and more flyable than 2 ply polyester
• Designed for wet and windy conditions
• Repels water like nylon
• Unsurpassed color retention
• Shiny like nylon with durability of 2 ply polyester
KORALEX II®:
• Most improved flag fabric technology
• 100% spun polyester-2x2 ply construction
• Durability, strength and fly-ability
• Ideal for extreme weather conditions without excess weight
• Rich feel and look
You can visit the “Where to Buy” section of our website for a listing of commercial flag dealers in your state. Items can be shipped directly to you.
We appreciate your interest in Valley Forge Flag and our products. As we are a manufacturer and wholesaler of flags, we do not sell directly to the general public. We sell to flag dealers and wholesale outlets that sell our products. We would be happy to direct you to one of our fine retail customers who would be very happy to help you purchase your desired items.
You can visit the “Where To Buy” section of our website, for a listing of commercial flag dealers in your state. Items can be shipped directly to you.
A nylon flag can be cleaned by hand, using a mild dish detergent. Nylon flags should be dried by laying them out on a flat surface. Do not fold a nylon flag to dry it. Polyester, Cotton and Poly-Cotton flags should be dry-cleaned. Most dry-cleaners will clean flags as a courtesy (no charge).
Many 48 star flags were manufactured before, during and after World War II. Most 49 star flags were made between 1/3/1959 (when Alaska became the 49th state) and 8/21/1959 (when Hawaii became our 50th state). These flags were usually made from either cotton or a cotton-wool blend.
Some of these flags are “casket flags” meaning that they measure 5’x9.5’ instead of 5’x8’. A casket flag is made in order to be place on a coffin during a funeral. 48, 49 and 50 star flags can still be made today as a custom flag. Since Valley Forge Flag Company does not add any date to a flag when it is manufactured, there is no way determine just how old a flag is. Flags with a "Spring City" tag on them, were made before this plant closed in 1991. Valley Forge Flag does not appraise flags.
48, 49 and 50-Star United States flags rarely hold any monetary value, only sentimental value. Usually a flag only has monetary value if it can be directly linked to a major historical moment, such as the flag that was raised over Iwo Jima, or the flag used during John F. Kennedy’s funeral. We can, however, direct you to a very interesting website that addresses antique flags: www.vexman.net
Why is my flag shorter / longer than published description?
Valley Forge Flags are made by hand in the United States of America. As with any handmade item, not every flag produced will be the same size. Typically, we use a 8-10% variance figure with the size of our flags. If you feel that your flag is defective, or the size is outside the boundaries above, please return the flag to the location where it was purchased.
As a manufacturer, we do not sell items directly to the public, we have a few dealers which carry replacement parts. Any of these dealers will be happy to help you. Parts can be mailed to you.
Bob’s Flags 10726 Pineville Road Pineville, NC 28134 800-352-4766 www.bobsflags.com
American Flag and Gift 1101 Highland Way Suite B Grover Beach, CA 93433 800-448-3524 www.anyflag.com
Marvin Display 58 B Research Drive Milford, CT 06460 800- 322-8587 www.marvindisplay.com
FlagCenter.com
4550 Summer Avenue Menphis, TN 38122 901-762-0044 flagcenter.com
Valley Forge Flag Company offers a 1-year (from the date of purchase) guarantee against uneven fading for all nylon and polyester U.S. flags. This guarantee is only offered to our dealers and retail accounts that sell our flag.
Fabric tears and fraying, as a result of high winds and other climatic conditions, as well as torn flags and normal wear, are not covered by this guarantee.
The US Government’s expectation for the life of a nylon flag is 90 days. Our flags are made to meet or exceed these expectations. The life of your flag depends upon many factors, such as the type of weather that you fly the flag in.
Typically if you fly your flag during daylight hours, and bring the flag in on windy and/or rainy days you can extend the life over a year.
Valley Forge Flag Company offers a 1-year (from the date of purchase) guarantee against fading for all nylon and polyester U.S. flags. This guarantee is offered to our dealers and retail accounts that sell our flag, but this guarantee does not cover the flag from tearing. The U.S. Government's expectation for the life of a nylon flag is 90 days, when flown 24 hours a day in all wind conditions.
If you think that your item failed prematurely, you should return the flag to the location where it was purchased, along with the proof of purchase and the item may be replaced or refunded. If your flag has been flown in harsh weather and is showing signs of fraying, it is time to retire it and obtain a replacement.
20' Commander pole, I'd like to add an additional section.
Thank you for your recent patronage of Valley Forge Flag and our products. We do not recommend adding a pole section to a sectional flagpole to make the pole taller than 20’.
Wind rating for poles
Our Pole Kits have never been “wind rated”, however; when the pole ‘sways’ during windy days, this is quite normal. We would recommend taking the flag down when the winds are over 30 MPH, and lowering the pole to the ground when winds are over 60 MPH.
My flag is ready to be retired
The Flag Code suggests that, "when a flag has served its useful purpose, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning." For individual citizens, this should be done discreetly so the act of destruction is not perceived as a protest or desecration. Many American Legion Posts and Boy Scout Troops conduct Disposal of Unserviceable Flag Ceremonies on June 14, Flag Day. This ceremony creates a particularly dignified and solemn occasion for the retirement of unserviceable flags.
Valley Forge Flag Company does not offer a flag disposal service. We suggest you contact your local American Legion post or Boy Scout Troop.
Interested in becoming a Valley Forge Flag dealer
We are very pleased you would like to become a dealer of our products! Please fill out the contact form.
Please provide your name, business name and address, and a daytime telephone number. A Territory Manager of Valley Forge Flag will contact you with details on how to become an authorized dealer.