Displaying the American Flag at Home: A Guide to Flag Etiquette

At Gates Flag & Banner, we've been proud to help Americans display their flags with honor, respect, and pride for over a century. Whether you're flying the Stars and Stripes year-round or just on special occasions, displaying the flag at your home is a meaningful way to show patriotism. But with that privilege comes responsibility — and we're here to help you get it right.

Here’s a quick guide to proper flag etiquette when displaying the U.S. flag on your house.

1. Positioning the Flag Properly

When displayed from a home — whether on a flagpole, a bracket-mounted staff, or hung flat — the flag should always be treated with dignity.

• Mounted on a wall or balcony: The blue field (the Union) should always be at the top left as you're looking at it from the street.

• On a pole or staff projecting from the house: The flag should fly free and upright. Ideally, the staff should be angled upward at about 45 degrees from the house.

If you’re flying multiple flags (state, military, or other organizational banners), the U.S. flag should be the highest or in the position of honor (usually to the far left from the viewer's perspective).

2. Raising and Lowering the Flag

If you have a vertical flagpole in your yard:

• Raise the flag briskly in the morning and lower it ceremoniously at sunset.

• If displaying the flag at night, it must be properly illuminated. This means the flag should be well lit and clearly visible in the dark.

• On days when the flag is flown at half-staff (e.g., Memorial Day morning, national days of mourning), raise it fully first, then lower it to half-staff.

3. Respectful Display and Handling

A few timeless rules:

• Never let the flag touch the ground, floor, or water.

• Don’t use the flag as drapery, clothing, or bedding.

• Keep the flag clean and in good condition. A tattered or faded flag should be retired respectfully — we offer flag retirement services and can guide you through that process.

4. When to Fly the Flag

You can proudly display the flag every day, but here are some especially appropriate dates:

• Independence Day (July 4th)

• Memorial Day

• Veterans Day

• Flag Day (June 14th)

• Presidents' Day

• Labor Day

• Patriot Day (September 11th)

These dates are a great time to reaffirm our shared values as Americans — and flags play an important role in that tradition.

5. Weather Considerations

The flag should not be displayed during inclement weather unless it’s an all-weather flag (most polyester and nylon flags we sell at Gates are made to withstand the elements). Wind and rain can wear down a flag faster, so check its condition regularly.

6. A Final Word from Gates

At Gates Flag & Banner, we see each flag as more than a piece of fabric — it’s a symbol of sacrifice, unity, and pride. Whether you're displaying a flag for the first time or have flown one for decades, we’re honored to be your trusted source for high-quality flags and flag accessories.

Need help choosing the right flag, pole, or lighting setup? Visit our website or give us a call — we're always here to help you show your colors with pride.

Fly it right. Fly it proud.