A home sports court can provide the entire family with hours of fun and entertainment. It’s a great way to exercise, practice your skills, and just have some fun in your backyard. But before you decide on this, there are some things to think about and steps to take to ensure a smooth installation process and a maintained court.
In this article, you’ll learn the different types of courts to consider, the steps to follow while planning, and some tips on maintaining a home sports court.
Different Types of Sports Courts
Futsal Courts
Futsal is a type of soccer typically played on a smaller court with fewer players. If you haven’t heard of it yet, it’s a great way to improve your soccer skills because it forces you to be more creative with your passes and shots. A futsal court is typically indoors and has a hard surface like wood or concrete. However, some futsal courts are made with artificial turf.
Tennis Courts
Tennis courts come in all different shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they need to be level so that the ball can bounce evenly. The two main types of tennis court surfaces are clay and hard. Crushed stone, shale, or brick are used for clay courts. These are considered slower than hard courts. Meanwhile, concrete, asphalt, or synthetic materials are used for hard courts.
Basketball Courts
Basketball courts generally have the same dimensions, regardless of whether they’re indoor or outdoor courts. The playing surface is usually made of wood, concrete, or asphalt. Basketball hoops are fixed at 10 feet (3.05 meters) on all NBA and WNBA courts.
Steps to Follow While Planning
Determine the Available Space
The first step is determining how much space you have to work with. You’ll need to take into account the dimensions of the court itself as well as any additional space required for activities like serving or running around. Once you know the available area, you can start planning the dimensions of your court.
Choose the Size
If you’re working with a smaller area, you might want to consider a half-court or three-quarter-court. If you have more room to work with, you could go for a full-sized court or even add features like bleachers or lighting.
Pick Your Surface
After you’ve chosen the type of court you want, it’s time to decide on a surface. The most popular options are asphalt, concrete, or synthetic turf. Asphalt is typically the least expensive option, but it will require more maintenance. Concrete is more durable than asphalt but can be more expensive. Synthetic turf is low-maintenance compared to grass and also long-lasting, but it can be one of the more costly choices.
Sports Court Maintenance Tips
Check for cracks regularly and repair them as soon as possible. Cracks in your court can not only jeopardize the structural integrity of the court itself, but they can also create trip hazards. Inspect your court for damages regularly and fill any that you find with crack filler or sealant. Be sure to smooth out the sealant so that it’s level with the rest of the court surface.
If there are any low spots in your court, they should be filled in. Low spots can cause water to pool on your court, leading to moss and mildew growth. Fill in low spots with a resurfacer or another similar product. Once the patching material has dried, roll over it with a roller to ensure proper bonding and leveling.
You’ll have to give your court a good cleaning from time to time, sweeping away any leaves or debris accumulated on the court’s surface. You may also need to pressure wash your court if it’s particularly dirty. Be sure to use a spray tip that is designed for concrete if that’s what your court is made of, and start from the bottom of the court surface, working your way up.
After you’ve cleaned your court, you’ll need to reseal it. This will help protect it from weather damage and will also make it easier to clean in the future. Be sure to choose a sealer that is designed for outdoor use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
If you’re unsure how to do these things, you can always call a professional for help. For better results, try to look for one that specializes in the task or kind of court that you’re dealing with. For instance, a tennis court resurfacer or a futsal court contractor.
A home sports court can be a great way to add value to your property, get fit, and improve your skills simultaneously. Choosing the best court for you and following these steps to plan and maintain it ensures that your court will provide years of enjoyment for your family and friends.
