Surfacing for Basketball Courts

Basketball courts come in all different sizes and shapes. A lot of factors go in to determining what material and what size court will be made. Some of these factors include time, resources, budget and use. The more you know about basketball court surfaces, the better decision you can make as to what type of court you will pursue.

  1. Types--Outdoor

    • Countless playgrounds across the country include a concrete basketball court. Sometimes the concrete is topped with an acrylic or other type of shock-absorbing surface, and sometimes just the lines are painted in.

      Asphalt (or blacktop) courts are also popular in backyards and neighborhood parks. Asphalt courts are made of gravel bits held together by the tar substance and crude oil byproduct bitumen.

    Types--Indoors

    • Maple is the typical wood used for basketball courts in gyms around the world. Maple is hard, but resilient.

      Mostly found in sports clubs, synthetic floors can be made of rubber, PVC or some type of plastic.

      Suspended athletic floors are usually interlocking plastic or rubber tiles that are installed directly over an existing floor or concrete.

    Warning

    • No matter what surface you choose for your basketball court, make sure the area is level. Nothing is worse than a lopsided basketball court. Installing an asphalt or concrete court with some friends is not impossible for the handy, however, it is strongly recommended to use the services of a professional installation company. It will level the surface area, install the court evenly and minimize any mistakes that come with installing basketball courts.

    Price

    • The price of concrete and asphalt will depend on the area. In some areas, concrete will be less expensive; usually asphalt will cost less. It is advised to surface a concrete court with another material such as acrylic. Maple wood floors will be more expensive than synthetic floors.

    Considerations

    • Choosing the best surface depends largely on the needs of the consumer. If the court will be built outdoors, typically a concrete or asphalt surface will be best. Concrete is known to be harder on the knees and ankles than asphalt. However, asphalt can become very hot in the summer and be slippery in the colder and wetter months, even if the court is indoors. Indoor courts used for competition should be made from maple whenever possible; however, synthetic courts will suffice for recreation leagues or PE classes.