Any motorhome owner will tell you that an awning makes great sense. They offer a simple solution to the elements and keep you dry in the rain, whilst giving welcome shade from the sun. The main benefit is that they are very easy to erect and fold away. There are two main types, these being the manual and the retractable versions.

The retractable motorhome awnings are probably the easiest to use, and you can even purchase automatic versions that take a matter of minutes to erect. These are especially useful in windy conditions because they do not blow about whilst you are attempting to fold them out. The awning fits on the side of your camper van or caravan in a neat storage block that also gives good protection from rust and wear when not in use.

Manual retractable awnings can also be quickly erected by way of simply releasing the support straps and using an awning hook to unfold the canopy along the support tracks to it's final position. Both kinds are widely in use all over the world, and hundreds of campers enjoy their simplicity.

One question I receive over and over again from potential home buyers looks a little something like this: "I would really like a home that includes a covered patio or deck, but is it really worth the extra expense?" Similarly, many current homeowners wonder if buying a cover for their patio is worth the price as well.

My answer to both of these questions is an emphatic YES! Patio covers are not merely an expense that you would enjoy in your leisure time, they can actually be an investment that improves your home's value! So if you are going to spend money on something that you enjoy, why not spend it on something that could actually improve your bottom line?

Why can patio covers and awnings increase a home's value? Because a cover can increase the area of your home that is "useful," and because it can protect your deck from the elements and prolong it's life.