Tennis Court Construction Basics
The time and effort expunged in the planning and construction stages of a tennis court will determine the play-ability and longevity of the court in the following 10 to 20 years. A clear section of land for a tennis court needs to measure at minimum 60’ wide by 120’ long. An outdoor court should always have a 1% slope to allow for proper drainage.
Tennis Courts, as well as most other sports courts, should be oriented North to South to enable play while the sun is rising in the morning and falling in the afternoon. Base preparation and construction will determine if your court lasts 10 years or 20 years. We recommend using only Virgin Asphalt (thickness of asphalt and sub-base varies by location) or Post Tension Concrete for your substrate. Fencing, Windscreen, Lighting, Net Posts and Nets are all custom options in which your personal taste and budget are the only restrictions.
Factors to Consider Condition of land
The selection of a location where a tennis court is to be built has a large factor in the prep and base cost of tennis court construction. The flatter the piece of land the less expensive the pre-construction earth work becomes. Areas with hills can require large amounts of earth movement and even retaining walls at times.
Drainage
To keep water away from your court surface we always consider how water flows over, under and around your court. Dependent on location we may install drains in addition to the normal 1% slope of the tennis court surface.
Weather
Local climates can prove to be a hindrance on the court construction process. All acrylic surfaces are very temperature and weather sensitive. If it is too cold (below 50* F) or too hot the acrylic surface will not dry properly. Rain or overcast conditions also can be cumbersome as they prohibit the proper drying of the surface materials.
Building Permits
Building, Electrical and general construction permits, costs and their requirements vary by location. Please consult with Ace Surfaces for more information on your specific location.
Concrete Vs Asphalt
One of the most common questions asked in court construction is whether to choose a concrete or and asphalt base for a tennis court. Asphalt, in some locations may be the least expensive option for a court base, however if improperly built will not last as long as a concrete surface. Post Tension concrete, while more expensive, is typically going to outlast an asphalt surface. Concrete Surfaces will be slightly more rough on the body as they are less forgiving/harder than an asphalt surface. Concrete Surfaces will have a slightly higher initial cost for surfacing due to a 2 component primer that is required for proper acrylic adhesion.
Standard Acrylic Surface vs Premium Acrylic Surface
The industry standard surfaces come with a 1 year warranty and 3-5 year life expectancy. Your new substrate has a 1 year warranty and 20-30 year life expectancy. A premium surface selection, such as Laykold Masters, typically has a slightly higher cost but includes a 5 year warranty and 8-12 year life expectancy. Using a premium surface means less down time stakecasino nz, more vibrant/longer lasting colors and less cost down the road.
Cushion vs Hard Court
There are 2 types of cushion surfaces in the tennis court world. A liquid cushion surface (industry standard) is usually applied with squeegees and around 2mm thick. The shock absorption can be anywhere from 2%-5% and will slowly degrade with age. The premium option would be a mat based cushion system. The Laykold Masters mat systems are available in 5mm and 8mm thickness and have 16%-23% shock absorption and will retain their resiliency for 30+ years