Its not Immaterial
How the Fabric of your Windsock can Impact Its Performance
Material of Windsocks
Windsocks can be made of several different types of materials. Each type allowing the windsock to perform in different ways.
Windsocks, like flags, take a lot of abuse in the elements. They are also made to keep worksite safe, so they need to be made of a material that is light enough to move in the breeze and durable enough to withstand the elements (waterproof, flame retardant, UV resistant etc..) If a windsock is made of too light a material then it would tear apart in heavy winds. If a windsock is made of too heavy a material, it would not rise in 3 knot winds and not fulfil its purpose of telling you accurate wind direction and windspeed.
There are four main fabrics used to produce windsocks.
Windsocks can be made of a variety of materials. Nylon windsocks are the most common, so are knitted polyester, vinyl, and canvas. There are also lots of companies that use a mix of synthetic and natural fabrics to create windsocks as well.
Nylon Windsocks – nylon is a great choice for material. It’s the number one flag material choice because it can be printed through a means which allows the color to be retained in the fabric for a long time. Nylon allows the color to show vivid and bright and comes coated with UV resistance. Its also an extremely lightweight material and is responsive to light winds. These are recommended for areas with lighter winds and a more stable, predictable climate.
Vinyl Windsocks – Vinyl fabric is known for its visibility. The material has almost a reflective quality about it. Vinyl works well in heavy winds and light winds and is visible from great distances easily. We recommend this material for tropical, sub tropical and costal areas. This material is also ideal for areas that are known to have hurricanes and tropical type storms. This material is not as long-lasting as other options.
Canvas Material – Canvas windsocks are made of a heavy-duty treated cotton type fabric that is water repellent and mold resistant. The canvas material is extremely long lasting and works well in areas with heavy winds. The downside is that visibility and color retention are not as good as vinyl or knitted polyester.
600D PU Polyester Fabric – This is the premium material for windsocks in our opinion. The material works well in heavy and light winds. In ultra light breezes it is beaten out by its nylon counterpart. However, in an area where you would see a range of weather patterns, such as most states in the US, we have noticed the knitted polyester performs the best. We print using a method called sublimation printing which allows for high color retention and high visibility (depending on what you print on it of course)
Now you are armed with the knowledge you need to purchase a windsock made of a material that fits your needs in your area. Please feel free to comment below on your experiences and let us know what material you prefer and why. If you want to reach out for further info, we are always available at info@custom-windsocks.com
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Also in Thinking Out of the Box when it comes to Socks
Use of Windsocks for Airports and Pilots
Let me Frame it This Way - If You Don't Admit, It Won't Fit!
Windsocks are made differently for single hoop frames than they are for double hoop frames. Its important to make sure you inform the manufacturer of your custom windsock or the supplier of your standard windsock, that you have a double hoop frame.
Click here to find out what information to provide when ordering your windsock with The Custom Windsock Co.
