Types of Holiday Homes

The traditional static caravan has come a long way since its early days of flat aluminium sheet roofs and beige exteriors. They now come in a variety of finishes and colours including high density wood composite CanExcel or wood effect cladding and with pitched tiled roofs which give a more spacious feel inside.

Static caravans are now fully equipped with all the latest mod-cons and have a much more luxury feel than the static caravans of the 70s.

Static caravans, sometimes referred as caravan holiday homes, come in two types - single units (or single-wides) and twin units (or double-wides). Both types are manufactured in a factory and then transported on the back of a lorry, with the twin units being transported in two halves and being joined together on site.

Caravan holiday homes are generally built to BS EN1647 standard, which means they are only suitable for being occupied for holidays.

Some manufacturers also build a version of their holiday homes to a higher standard - BS3632. This is recognised as a residential standard and has therefore better insulation and is more suited to holidays all year round. However, you will have to bear in mind that holidays all year round are only possible if the park's licence permits this and is open through the winter months.

Wood or wooden effect clad static caravans have generally become known as lodges. These too come in single and twin units and are built off site. Many lodges are now built to residential standards meaning they are suitable to be lived in all year round - ideal if your park is open in the winter months.

Lodges shouldn't be confused with log cabins which are much larger and are built to Building Regulations standard on site whereas lodges are prefabricated and built on a chassis with wheels so they can be transported on the back of a lorry.

Another type of holiday home is the chalet. Although you may think of a chalet as an alpine retreat for skiing holidays in the Swiss Alps, the term chalet has a very different meaning in terms of UK holiday accommodation.

Chalets are basically prefabricated like a static caravan, but tend to be smaller and more basic.