The Ultimate Guide to Annex Matting

Annex matting makes RV life much more comfortable. When you are on the road, it is simply a must-have!

What Is Annex Matting?

Annex matting is a type of non-permanent floor material you can use in an outside or transitional area in an RV, caravan or tent.

It is designed to provide you with a clean and more comfortable living space for activities inside or outside of your home away from home.

Annex matting stops dirt, dust and sand from ending up in your vehicle. It is a great way of cutting down on the amount of sweeping up and cleaning you have to do.

Once you start shopping around, you soon realise you have different types of annex matting to choose from.

Synthetic and foam matting are the most popular types of annex matting. Both have pros and cons.

Pros and Cons Of Synthetic Matting

Synthetic annex matting is perhaps the most popular choice. It is lightweight, easy to clean and durable. As with all other camping products, there are pros and cons to synthetic matting.

Pros:

• Long lasting: Synthetic matting withstands harsh weather conditions much better than cotton rugs and other forms of matting meant for the home. It can handle wind, rain and sun without fading and deteriorating.
• Lightweight: One of the top benefits of synthetic matting is its weight. Compared to other forms of flooring, it is easy to lay down and remove. It is far less bulky.
• Easy to clean: Synthetic flooring is easy to clean with water from a hose pipe or a broom.
• No insect attacks: Termites and other creepy crawlies love to explore flooring. Synthetic flooring is not really “attractive” to insects and termites. It does not offer them anything they can eat.

Cons:

• Weather conditions: Although synthetic flooring is great for most regular weather conditions, it is less practicable in snow and rain. Under certain weather conditions, synthetic matting can become slippery. If you are concerned, choose synthetic flooring with a non-slip surface.
• Comfort level: Synthetic flooring may not be as comfortable as other foam types of flooring. If you are thinking about using your annex matting as the base for a play area or for sitting on, you may want to explore the alternatives.

Pros and Cons of Foam Annex Matting

Pros:

• Lightweight: Foam matting is very lightweight. When you want to it around, you don’t have to worry about its weight.
• The comfort factor: One of the main benefits of foam matting is the comfort factor. Compared to other materials such as rubber, it is more comfortable to sit on. Some foam annex materials are so soft you can place your sleeping bag directly on it.
• Easy to transport: Foam matting is often sold in rolls. You can roll it up and take it with you when you fancy going out hiking for the day.

Cons:

• Less durable: Materials are beginning to evolve, but it is fair to say that some forms of foam matting could be more durable.
• Weatherproofing: If you are opting for foam matting, make sure that it has been treated and weatherproofed. It should have a top coat which reduces the risk of deteriorating from sun exposure and rain exposure.
• Cleanliness: Foam matting is not as easy to keep clean as regular synthetic matting. Dust and sand can get trapped in foam matting.
• Cost: Foam matting is sometimes more expensive. Make sure you compare prices

What Does Foam Matting Look Like?

Synthetic foam matting looks like a yoga or aerobics mat. It is available in different formats including roll and tiles.

The line between regular synthetic matting and foam matting is becoming blurred.

Thanks to new manufacturing technology, you can now buy synthetic matting which is foam-backed.

Rubber matting is another popular choice. Not so very long, it used to be the only alternative for when you wanted to go camping or buy annex matting.

The main downside of rubber matting is that it is heavy. It is cumbersome to move around. You need to consider transport costs as well.

Don’t forget that anything heavier which needs to be transported around makes your RV or camping set-up heavier. This means using more fuel. It is easy to lose sight of that when you are just getting into camping or spending time outdoors camping.

What Choice Is Right For You?

If you want to make your outside or transitional space (perhaps you have an awning) truly versatile, opt for foam annex matting.

An alternative is finding annex matting which offers you the best of both worlds. You can buy synthetic matting with a foam base. It is slightly more expensive but more versatile.

Also, bear in mind that any annex matting should be easy to keep clean. You want to be able to clean it quickly when you are camping and when you come home.

If you have already been camping, you will appreciate how important it is to make sure you are comfortable. Foam-backed materials are far more comfortable to sit on. In particular, this is important when you have kids who may want to play in an outside space or your awning.

Final Thoughts

Annex matting is a must-have. It cuts down on the amount of cleaning you have to do.

Also, annex matting makes your camping environment more comfortable.

Take your time and find the right annex flooring solution for you. Good quality matting is one of the must-haves when you head out on your camping and outdoor adventure.