Best material for annex walls

Rocko,

We had an annexe made about 18 months ago and ended up choosing canvas.

I am from the old school of thought when it comes to this sort of stuff. I choose canvas for 1 simple reason, it breathes.

I have been in my brother inlaws annexe which is PVC or vinyl as some call it, and it always seems to be hot to me.

We lived in our van for 4 months from Oct last year to Feb this year while we had a new house built and naturally we had the annexe erected for more living area.

During this period we experienced a higher degree of humidity than we normally get, yet the annexe was no hotter inside than outside. At the same time our neighbor in the park (who was also building) had a PVC annexe and he did nothing but complain about how hot it was inside it and spent a fair amount of time in ours for that reason. (we got to know them fairly well)

As for mould, sure, canvas will go mouldy if you dont dry it our before folding it up and putting it away, but then again so will PVC.

The PVC is easier to clean, but we wiped our annexe down with a clean cloth in clean water about once a week and its still ok despite constant use for 4 months.

I think it comes down to how you look after it.

By the way, when I had mine made, there was no difference in the price for either PVC or canvas.

Thats my experience and I am sure someone else will have a different opinion re PVC, but at the end of the day all you can do is take on board what others have to say and go with what you think is best.

Cheers,

Cruiser

Hi, I have a Jayco Eagle van and it came with a annex roof only ( Grey canvas ). so I just bought some same colour canvas and made up skirts, ( you can sew it on a normal sewing machine , the wifes old one) one end and two fly roofs, made the other end and fly skirts from 90% shade cloth, that was 10 years ago and they are still in great condition , the roofs have a few stains from birds and trees, but no dirt or mould stains,
Always dry completely before folding to put away,
Cheers Des.

Hi Scott,

My last business was making annexes for caravans and the rule "No free lunch" is true here. So some questions first. Are you travelling around or are you going somewhere and then setting up the annex to stay. Something like a fishing trip where you will stop for a couple of weeks? Are you only going to use this in warm weather or are you thinking of a camping trip to the Snowy.

So if travelling around and following the good weather, like a trip around the country, you want easy to put up but not really total protection from the cold. Therefore light weight materials and easy to handle. Otherwise it becomes a major pain in the rear end.

If you are going to squat in one place like some grey nomad on the sunshine coast. Then heavy duty materials that offer better protection from the rain and wind. This makes it hard to put up and not something yuo want to do every day. Here you get materials with a high GSM (grams per square metre). ie heavier and thicker material.

So PVC or Canvas or other material.

PVC does feel hotter than canvas. You tend to feel sweatier under it. It however is easier to maintain, does not rip, waterproof, can be welded, cleans better, does not get as moldier, can be cleaned with bleach, makes more noise when flapping in the breeze.

Canvas breathes better and does not feel as hot, gets moldy, harder to clean, cannot be cleaned with bleach, can be sewn for repairs, quieter in the wind, fold up easier to store, does not come as wide as PVC or as many colours.

If you are making a annex for protection from just wind, insects and sun (not rain) there are some other materials you can use. PVC coated fiberglass is one and shade cloth is another. Shade cloth is cheaper, many colours, light, easy to store, offers some protection from rain, harder to see through, hard to sew and put door / windows into, does not last as long, holds creases.

PVC coated fiberglass is insect proof ( some types migi proof), super strong, looses creases, looks new much longer, more expensive, heavier, can put door and windows into, easier to look through, good wind protection but allows breeze, does not give you that locked in feeling, harder to fold and store (particually in very cold weather), rip proof, offers goo suns protection.

One is often counter to the other so you need some good advice. The internet is a great source but always go and look and feel the material. Sometimes they appear different on the internet. Also remember the annex maker (if he is not you) is making this more for himself and his wallet than you overall comfort. So when he says it cannot be done or you cannot have it, you get where I am going here.

Finding suppliers of materials if you want to do it yourself can be hard as well. The overall fun is worth the effort as well. Remember if you make one yourself and it works, your mates will want one too. This can be a pain in the rear or a neverending source of beer/ scotch or just owed favours. Good luck

Had an Aussie Traveller Canvas Annexe on our previous van. It would fold up into a small bag I could lift with one hand Was a 14ft annexe.

New van has a 16ft annexe and got a PVC one thrown in with the van.

It comes in two large bags that are heavy to lift and is heavy and hard to put up.

Any one wants it they can have it I will never use the useless thing.

Just my experience of having both.