How much does RV awning installation cost?
By
Elaine Knight
In this blog post, we will answer the question: “How much does RV awning installation cost?” We will discuss the installation price as per cost and size and talk about the types of RV awning materials. We will also discuss the types of RV awning mechanisms and mention a few tips to upkeep your RV awning.
How much does RV awning installation cost?
The RV awning installation cost can vary according to the size and type of the awning. At one point, everyone will need to get their awning fixed, especially if your RV has been used for close to 10 years. RV awning needs to be maintained to avoid such installation costs. A large RV awning installation cost can be pretty expensive and this is not something to compromise on.
There are various types of RV awnings and the most common materials that are used are acrylic and vinyl. Some RVs have fixed awnings while some have automatic awnings, patio awnings, and slide-out awnings. The type of awning material is also equally important when it comes to RV awning installation costs.
Installation price as per cost and size
The large RV awning is usually the patio type deployment and a medium RV awning is used for the side deployment. These types of awnings can be more expensive than the small RV awning that is for windows and doors. Here are the basic RV awning installation prices as per the type and size. Note: These prices can vary accordingly and these are only rough figures.
| Type | Size | Installation cost |
| Non-mechanized labor cost | 2 x 3 feet (small) | $180 |
| Non-mechanized labor cost | 4 x 8 feet (medium) | $360 |
| Non-mechanized labor cost | 6 x 15 feet (large) | $540 |
| Mechanized labor cost | 2 x 3 feet (small) | $450 |
| Mechanized labor cost | 4 x 8 feet (medium) | $900 |
| Mechanized labor cost | 6 x 15 feet (large) | $1,350 |
Installing a mechanized RV awning is surely going to be more expensive than a non-mechanized RV awning. Mechanized RV awnings will require more work as they need to be adjusted according to the switches and settings on the motor. It is also better to hire a professional to install an RV awning since these tasks are not easy to be done on your own.
Types of RV awning materials
Several types of RV awnings are used today. Some RV brands stick to a particular type of RV awning. These awnings need to be maintained frequently and keep clean as much as possible to avoid any damage. Each RV awning has its advantage and disadvantage. Here are the types of materials that are used for RV awnings.
Acrylic awnings
These awnings are solution-dyed and are one of the most common materials used for awnings. Acrylic awnings are also affordable when compared to other materials. These acrylic awnings are also water-resistant and they have the potential to dry easily even after a heavy shower of rain. Most people prefer acrylic awnings for these reasons.
Vinyl awnings
The other most common type of RV awning is Vinyl awnings. These awnings usually have the same appearance as acrylic awnings and are also solution-dyed. These awnings are also good for UV protection and are more durable. The only flipside is that these awnings retain a lot of heat. Vinyl awnings are a little more expensive than acrylic awnings.
Fabric awnings
Fabric awnings are the other alternative but they are not commonly found like acrylic and vinyl awnings. The advantage of fabric awnings is the lightweight material. This is also a major disadvantage since they can be easily blown off by the extreme wind. Fabric awnings can be retracted and stored easily and are a perfect fit for small RV mobile homes.
Types of RV awning mechanism
Those were the most commonly used awning materials but there are more types of RV awning according to the mechanism. Most RVs try to stick to the standard awning mechanism but the latest RVs arrive with power awnings. These power awnings are motorized and are way different than a traditional awning.
Retractable slide-out awnings
Most of the previous RV models have a retractable slide-out awning system. A majority of RVs have these retractable slide-out awnings. These can be manually pulled down like a window shade. Slide-out awnings are found usually on the sides of an RV. These awnings can be slid out manually and used for shade.
Permanent or fixed awnings
Permanent or fixed awnings are mostly installed over the windows and doors. The material of these awnings is usually made up of the same material as the exterior. The advantage of permanent or fixed awnings is that they can offer protection even when mobile. Maintaining these awnings might be a little tricky and that could be the only disadvantage.
Mechanized awnings
Mechanized awnings are different and it works by retracting. All you need to do is press a switch on the wall. The retraction time is also faster with mechanized awnings when compared to manual ones. Using these awnings is easy but the installation time and cost are more than the manual awning. However, the maintenance is not too difficult.
Shelter or Patio type awning
These awnings are just like a tent and can be used as another living area due to the length and space. These awnings are usually made from foldable materials like fabric or canvas. Many models have a huge canopy and some can be spacious like a room. These awnings are huge and they are also heavy and complicated to use.
Up keeping your awning
Upkeeping your RV awning is the most crucial part if you want it to last for a long time. Be sure to keep it clean regularly and do a proper inspection from time to time. The RV awning is always prone to rain and rain is one of the biggest enemies of an awning. Be sure to dry your RV awning before keeping it away to avoid mildew and damage.
- Always keep your RV awning away when not in use.
- Try not to have snow or leaves accumulate on the awning since these can cause a lot of damage.
- If there are minor damages, be sure to fix them immediately as they can be avoided from escalating to bigger damages.
- Inspect the RV awning frequently to identify any issues.
- Having an RV awning is an advantage. Awnings can protect your doors and windows from extreme rain and heat.
- You also get to make use of the extra space on the outside.
- The interior of the RV is also kept cool and outdoor camping can be an incredible experience with an RV awning.
- There are no disadvantages to such RV awnings. The only thing is that you need to constantly maintain them.
- The RV awning must be installed properly and it should be sturdy to withstand any wind or rain.
- If the awning is damaged, the exterior of the RV can also get damaged.
- Make sure that the awning is fixed well and keep checking for any lost bolts or nuts.
Many factors will determine the cost of an RV awning. The size, type, and material of the awning have different prices. It also depends on the place where you get the awning fixed and it also depends on the labor costs. Overall, RV the awning installation costs can vary based on the RV and the model itself.
Fixing an RV awning on your own is also a possibility since there is no need to hire an electrician. On the other hand, you will need to know how the awning functions and what repairs are required. It is always advised to contact a professional to get this job done. In that way, you will find this to be an easy task.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we answered the question “How much does RV awning installation cost?” We have discussed the installation price as per cost and size and talked about the types of RV awning materials. We have also discussed the types of RV awning mechanisms and mentioned a few tips to upkeep your RV awning.
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