Isabella Bolon awning carpet
Cost £20 per metre (2.5m width)
Tel 01844 202099
Web www.isabella.net
Approved by Caravan Club (CC) sites? Yes
Weight per square metre 400g
There was slight yellowing of the grass after two weeks under Bolon carpeting, but it was still healthy and alive. Its close-weave material allows a certain amount of air to circulate, although not as effectively as does the mesh type of netting. Light transference is restricted, which contributes to yellowing. Unlike similar-looking products, it can be easily cut without fraying, making it ideal if you want a perfect fit inside your awning. The material is also lightweight and compact when folded. The matting did get quite slippery when wet, especially in the direction of the weave. Otherwise it is comfortable to walk on. The material is colour-fast and fire resistant, and available in three colours and patterns. Its cost may put some people off, though.
Verdict This is a popular and well-established brand of groundsheet, but it is almost twice the price per metre of similar brands.
Rating * * *

Pyramid Softex
Cost £10 per metre (2.5m width)
Tel 01623 421277
Web www.pyramid-products.com
Approved by CC sites? Yes
Weight per square metre 350sqm
Softex from Pyramid Products left the grass almost unmarked after two weeks. Its open-weave rubberised mesh allows light and air to reach the grass. It can also be easily cut to size with household scissors. The carpeting became a little slippery when soaked with water, but no more so than wet grass. Its green colour helps make it unobtrusive. According to the manufacturers, this 100% British product will last at least ten years. It is good value, and is also the lightest of the new, mesh groundsheets.
Verdict A relative newcomer to the market, Softex shares many of the grass-friendly attributes of better known brands. It is affordable and lightweight. Rating * * * * *

Carpetina by Milenco
Cost around £9 per metre (2.5m width)
Tel 01908 220102
Web www.milenco.com
Approved by CC sites? Yes
Weight per square metre 300g
The Carpetina looks rather like Bolon matting, but is less than half of the Bolon's price. One of its downsides is that you cannot cut it to size yourself; it comes in a pre-cut length and is specially sealed to prevent fraying. This could make it harder to get a perfect fit.
In other respects, the Carpetina has qualities similar to that of Bolon's and was unaffected during our 'slip test'. It remained non-slip even when soaked with water. It is extremely lightweight, and has been treated chemically to prevent mold, which will be a bonus when you come to unpack it each season. Pegs can be pushed through it into the ground to secure the groundsheet – without causing permanent damage. It comes in a range of colours: Savannah (green), Ocean (blue), Chianti (dark red), and grey.
Verdict Very similar to the Bolon matting and great value for money, but you can't cut it to shape yourself.
Rating * * * *

Quest Aerotex
Cost £12.99 per metre (2.5m width)
Tel 01527 516518
Web www.questleisure.com
Approved by CC sites? Yes. Recommended by it.
Weight per square metre 400g
Very slight yellowing of the grass was visible after two weeks, but it was still growing. Aerotex is easily cut with domestic scissors. The soft, rubbery texture helps it hug the ground nicely. It also feels soft on the feet, insulating them from the cold ground. According to the manufacturer, despite Aerotex's tactile quality, its natural jute fibres make it resistant to caravan steps and furniture feet. It didn't become slippery after our 'slip test' soaking. It can be hosed through after use or soaked over night in a biological washing solution to get it really clean. Its soft texture makes it great padding when packed among your other caravanning kit.
Verdict Eco-friendly caravanners will have a clear conscience, knowing that not only are they protecting the grass, but that Aerotex is made with real jute.
Rating * * * * *

Eco-Mat
Cost £10-12 per metre (2.5m width)
Tel 024 7646 6461
Web www.burdengroup.com
Approved by CC sites? Yes, and recommended by it.
Weight per square metre 500g
Like the Aerotex, the Ecomat produced just a very small amount of yellowing on the grass after two weeks. It is a little stiffer than Softex, but still pleasant and warm to walk on. It can easily be cut to size using ordinary scissors, and will not fray or deteriorate around the edges. It did become a little slippery when soaked with water, but no more so than wet grass. In 'natural conditions' (on top of damp grass) water was hardly detectable on the upper surface and the matting remained slip-proof. It comes in a wide range of colours so can be easily co-ordinated with your awning. It is a little heavier than the other mesh brands and its stiffer structure makes it a little harder to fold for storage.
Verdict There is little to separate this from Aerotex in terms of performance, and it's also popular on Caravan Club sites. It is one of only two to be recommended by them.
Rating * * * *

Multi-purpose groundsheet
Cost £6.25 per metre (2.5m width)
Tel 024 7646 6461
Web www.burdengroup.com
Approved by CC sites? No
Weight per square metre 350g
This is what groundsheets used to be like, back in the old days.Compared with all the other groundsheets, the damage caused to the grass by being covered by this variety after two weeks was considerable – and that was without people walking on it. It can be cut to size, although you will lose the eyelets, which come, pre-fitted in the groundsheet's corners. It becomes very slippery when damp or wet. Spilt water will not drain away, sitting instead on the surface, but the surface is easily wiped clean. Leaving aside the nostalgic reveries it may trigger in old-time campers, the smell of rubber in a warm awning can be pretty unpleasant. This groundsheet is affordable, but it's a case of you get what you pay for. And don't expect it to prove popular with site owners.
Verdict If anything, this old-style PVC groundsheet demonstrates the worst features of such awning 'carpeting'. During our test, this model caused serious damage to the grass that was underneath it.
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