When on holiday, the search for extra 'sheltered' square metres and possibly a spare bedroom is paramount. Here are some tips on how to choose between an awning and a blind for your caravan and get the most out of it without having to spend a lot of time setting it up...
The awning: comfort on a budget
As a professional awning retailer explains, "The first criterion for choosing an awning is how long it will be used. A caravanner who is on the move will opt for a solette or an awning, which is quick to set up and fold away. On the other hand, if you use your caravan for longer stays, it is better to invest in an awning. The awning should be chosen according to the length of the holiday: for a few weeks in summer, a cotton or synthetic awning is sufficient; for longer stays - several months - it is better to opt for an all-PVC four-season awning with shutters.
Advantages: having an awning on your caravan
- Large covered area;
- Possibility to use only the roof as a solette;
- Interchangeable walls ;
- Addition of rooms possible - bedroom, kitchen ;
- Can be repaired;
- More affordable budget;
- No drilling of the caravan wall.
Disadvantages of the awning
- Longer assembly ;
- Demanding cleaning and storage;
- Sometimes heavy weight.
Should you invest in a top-of-the-range awning? Beautiful products are obviously more attractive, more practical and more flexible, with detachable or removable fronts and the possibility of putting them on a balcony, for example. The fact remains that if you take good care of your awning, of any type, it can last 10 to 15 years, adds our interviewer. "It really depends on the exposure, the weather conditions, and the storage during the rest of the year. In fact, the fabric will eventually age, and the crystal will "cook" with UV light. But everything can be repaired, as long as you have a professional sewing machine, the prerogative of repairers, and the repair budget remains reasonable, hence the need for an estimate. "If the fabric can still withstand a double seam without tearing, you can very well change the bays or repair a panel, but be careful not to use adhesives that will create sticky deposits that are difficult to remove, or glue that will harden and risk causing a tear.
The blind: more expensive but easier to install
In recent years, awnings have lost market share to blinds, a product that is not short of ideas. More and more manufacturers are even offering blinds as factory options.
Benefits of installing a blind
- Quick to set up ;
- Side walls can be added;
- No special maintenance, a simple wipe down is sufficient.
Disadvantages of the blind
- Reduced protected area ;
- High budget ;
- Difficulty in increasing the space covered by annexes;
- Limited reparability because the winding device does not easily support a clogging fabric that is applied too thickly;
- Assembly with drilling of the caravan body ;
- Weight of the device placed high on the caravan ;
- Depending on the length of the enclosure, the side walls may fall down at the caravan windows or a hatch and make it difficult to open.
- Bodywork drilling required for most models, to be done by a professional
More expensive than an awning, the blind consists of a textile roof stored in a box bolted to the vehicle body, which is unrolled to create a covered overhang stabilised by feet. It has its fans, as a caravan dealer confirms: "In general, the customers who buy a blind have been caravanning for a long time, they are older, and they are above all looking for ease of assembly. We install blinds on all types of caravans, from low-profile to large traditional rigid caravans. After a few years, users add a side wall and a windscreen to completely protect the awning.