For those interested, at Lowes, they have 4' to 8' painters poles fore $10.96 and are 1" dia. dia. 4' to 12' swimming pool poles $12.96 and I think are 1 1/4" 8' to 16' " " " $19.96 I use the 1" painters poles and my dad uses the pool poles. I have to watch when the wind gets up high not to have the poles fully extended. Gary