How to Properly Light the American Flag at Night

In Colorado Springs, the American flag carries real meaning. With our strong military presence and so many veteran families, flying the flag is a point of pride across our neighborhoods. But there’s something many homeowners don’t realize. If you’re flying the American flag at night, it needs to be properly illuminated.

“If you’re flying the American flag… etiquette dictates proper nighttime illumination. And, no, flying the flag near a streetlight is not sufficient. The American flag is required to have its own illumination source.” Bryan Daniel, illumin8 Outdoor Lighting

The good news is this isn’t complicated or expensive. When done right, flag lighting is simple, respectful, and built to perform for years.

Here’s what actually works, based on real installations here in Colorado.

The Biggest Flag Lighting Mistakes (And Why They Look Wrong)

Most of the flag lighting issues I see come down to three things:

• Too much brightness that washes out the flag

• No shielding or poor placement, causing glare into windows or neighbors’ yards

• The wrong beam angle, lighting the pole instead of the flag

Another common problem is using one small fixture and hoping for the best. Add in a warm or amber light, and the red, white, and blue start looking more like sunset colors than a flag.

Flag lighting is not about flooding the area.

“You don’t want to flood the entire area to illuminate the flag; you want to spotlight the flag.” Bryan Daniel, illumin8 Outdoor Lighting

Precision always beats brightness.

The Best Way to Light a Residential Flag

Option 1: Pole-Mounted Lighting (Preferred)

Whenever possible, the cleanest and most effective method is pole-mounted fixtures.

We mount brass fixtures to a collar that clamps directly to the pole, usually 8 to 10 feet above the ground. This setup:

• Eliminates glare completely

• Keeps fixtures out of the landscape

• Allows precise aiming at the flag

• Creates a clean, professional appearance

For most residential poles, the ideal setup includes:

• Low-voltage system

• 500 to 1,200 lumens per fixture (based on pole height and flag size)

• 9° or 15° spot beam angles

• 4000K neutral white light to keep the colors crisp and accurate

• Photocell control so the lights turn on automatically at dusk

We also use solid brass fixtures designed to handle Colorado weather and LEDs rated for 50,000 hours of life.

Option 2: Ground-Mounted Lighting

If pole mounting isn’t possible, the correct approach is triangular spacing.

Install three spot fixtures evenly spaced around the pole.

Why three? Because the flag moves. Wind shifts direction constantly, and triangular lighting ensures the flag stays illuminated no matter how it turns.

One ground light almost never does the job.

Choosing the Right Color Temperature

We always recommend 4000K neutral white.

Warmer light adds a yellow or amber tone that changes the appearance of the flag. Neutral white keeps the colors true, clean, and respectful.

Lighting the Flag With Respect and Responsibility

Good flag lighting isn’t just about visibility. It’s about intention.

“Flying the flag at night should be done in a way that respects the flag and our environment.” Bryan Daniel, illumin8 Outdoor Lighting

That means using the right beam control, avoiding excessive brightness, and choosing efficient low-voltage LED systems that minimize light spill and energy use.

A Real Story From Colorado Springs

We recently completed a lighting upgrade for a high-rise condo flagpole that wasn’t illuminated.

A new resident moved in, noticed it the first night, and called us right away. He paid for the entire installation himself.

He was a veteran. For him, lighting the flag properly wasn’t a preference. It was personal.

That moment is a good reminder that this isn’t just landscape lighting. For many people here, it means something.

What Does Proper Flag Lighting Cost?

Most residential flag lighting installations in Colorado Springs come in around $1,200, depending on pole height and site conditions.

With automatic operation, minimal maintenance, and a lifespan measured in years, it’s a small investment to display the flag properly every night.

Final Thoughts

You see American flags flying all over Colorado Springs, and that’s something to be proud of. With our strong military and veteran community, proper lighting matters.

And the reality is simple. It doesn’t cost much to do it right.

If you’re going to fly the flag at night, it deserves to be seen clearly, respectfully, and without compromise.

Illumin8 Outdoor Lighting specializes in low-voltage outdoor lighting systems built for Colorado conditions. If you have questions about flag lighting or want to make sure your setup is done correctly, we’re always happy to provide guidance or a consultation.