RV Awnings: Providing Shade and Style for Your Outdoor Oasis
An RV awning is a retractable fabric canopy that attaches to the side of your RV, extending outward to create a shaded and comfortable living space outdoors. They are essential for creating a relaxing area under the sun and can be used for:
- Sun Protection: Awnings provide much-needed shade from the sun, protecting you and your furniture from UV rays.
- Shelter from Light Rain: Awnings can offer some protection from light rain showers, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors even in less-than-ideal weather.
- Creating an Extra Room: The awning expands your living space, creating a shaded area for dining, socializing, or relaxing outdoors.
Popular RV Awning Brands:
- Dometic: A leading manufacturer of RV appliances and accessories, Dometic offers a wide range of awning styles and sizes to suit different needs.
- Carefree of Colorado: Specializing in RV awnings, Carefree is a trusted brand known for high-quality awnings with various colors, fabrics, and functionalities.
- Fiamma: A European brand known for innovation and design, Fiamma offers awnings with advanced features and a sleek aesthetic.Specializing in RV awnings, Carefree is a trusted brand known for high-quality awnings with various colors, fabrics, and functionalities.
- Thule: A Swedish company offering a variety of RV accessories, Thule awnings are known for their durability and weather resistance.
- Solera Awnings: Offered by Lippert Components, a leading supplier in RV parts.
RV Awning Styles:
- Horizontal Arm Awnings:
- The most common RV awning style, horizontal arm awnings extend outward from the side of your RV in a parallel direction to the ground.
- They are available in manual or electric operation, with electric awnings offering the convenience of extending and retracting the awning with a switch.
- Pros: Easy to use, versatile, offers a large shaded area.
- Cons: Can be susceptible to wind gusts and may not provide as much shelter from rain compared to vertical awnings.
- Vertical Drop Awnings:
- Also known as wall awnings, vertical drop awnings roll down from the side of your RV like a shade screen.
- They provide excellent privacy and protection from wind and rain, especially on the side of your RV.
- Pros: Excellent privacy and wind/rain protection, ideal for windy areas.
- Cons: Offers less shade area compared to horizontal awnings, may not be suitable for all RV purposes.
Additional Factors to Consider When Choosing an RV Awning:
- Size: Measure the side of your RV to ensure the awning you choose will provide adequate coverage.
- Material: Awning fabrics come in various materials like vinyl or acrylic, each with its own advantages in terms of durability, weight, and UV resistance.
- Operation: Decide between manual or electric operation based on your budget and preference for convenience.
- Features: Some awnings offer additional features like LED lighting strips or integrated rain gutters.
Conclusion:
By considering these factors and the various awning brands and styles available, you can find the perfect RV awning to enhance your outdoor living experience during your camping adventures.