Difference Between RV Awnings and Awnings for Your Home

June 4, 2022

Scottsdale love their RVs, and with good reason. It's wonderful to be able to travel anywhere in Scottsdale, AZ, without having to rent a place. Families have a lot more flexibility while on vacation with RVs, and there is a growing number of empty nesters and retirees who are completely switching to RV living.


The best thing about RV living is its proximity to nature. This is why RVs and awnings work so well together. RVs provide little or no shade protection without an awning. It can be uncomfortable to enjoy the view from your RV outside depending on the position and time of the sun.


Like awnings on your home, RV awnings increase the amount of usable square footage. When they have hundreds of square feet of shade outside, RV owners aren't limited to the RV's interior.


It is not surprising that RV awning installation has grown into a cottage industry. There are many types of RV awnings, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Retractable awnings are a common RV awning style. Although the tracks are placed differently and the arm extensions may vary, the principle is the same.


There is one main difference between RV and home awnings. RV awnings require some form of retractability. It is not practical to drive on the highway with an eight-foot awning hanging from the RV's side.


This is where the big difference lies. It's all about how retractable they are and whether or not they can be completely removed and stored. There aren’t many home awning designs that you can simply pop off the side and bring inside.

Awnings Come in Different Types


  • Fixed Awnings
  • Slide-Out Awnings
  • Automated Awnings


Fixed awnings can be compared to fixed awnings in your home. However, they are usually removable and can be stored using a mechanism. Although they are more difficult to store than automatic or slide-out awnings, they provide shade for extended periods and can be useful for RV owners.


The support arms used to mount slide-out RV awnings near the RV's wheels wells are usually attached to them. The awning, once closed and rolled up, is stored permanently on the RV's side near the roof. The arms at the sides of the rolled awning can be pulled outward and locked into place by locking them in place.


These slide-out awnings may be locked with the arms attached to the base of an RV to create a sloped awning. However, the legs can be removed from the RV and used as posts to anchor the roof and provide support.


Attached to homes, retractable awnings don't usually have vertical arms like an RV awning. Most often, they have joined horizontal arms that extend from the point where the awning retracts. This allows the awning to stretch to its maximum length. Retractable awnings don't need support posts and can be adjusted at any angle.


Motorized versions of slide-out awnings are available that slide along vertical tracks attached to an RV's side. These awnings are similar to manual slide-out RV awnings in appearance and function, but they can't be detached from the track so that the arms can be used as freestanding posts.


Motorized awnings have jointed arms that bend as the awning is moved out. Motorized slide-out retractable awnings function in the same way as home retractable awnings, with the only difference being that the vertical arms are attached to either side of the awning.


To Get a Great Awning in Scottsdale, AZ, You Don't Need an RV


An awning is a great addition to any RV, or if you are considering buying one. A great addition to your home, they can also be used as awnings. You have more options with home or company awning customizations than with RV awnings.


Scottsdale Awning Service can custom make almost any shade sail or permanent awning you want. We can also install retractable and shade structures, as well as patio awnings or shade structures.


Looking for the best awning services in Scottsdale, AZ? Feel free to contact us at (480) 485-0957 or fill out our online form to get your free estimate today!

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