Basketball is a fast-paced sport.
It involves frequent strenuous body movements, such as dribbling, shooting, and rebounding.
While the sport offers incredible health benefits, one cannot ignore the falls and injuries it’s associated with.
So, court managers should focus on choosing the right infrastructure, such as the court surface.
An ideal basketball court surface has high resilience, slip resistance, and shock absorption. It helps players maintain grip and body balance while ensuring safety.
Most importantly, the surface can withstand high-intensity activities, helping players deliver peak performance.
In this post, we will share the four types of budget-friendly basketball court surfaces and the pros and cons of each. It will help you select the most suitable surfacing option for your basketball court.
#1: Hardwood Surfacing
Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular options for basketball courts.
It is prepared using fine fibers of dense wood, resistant to splintering.
When installed appropriately, a hardwood basketball court looks aesthetically appealing. No wonder, top NBA stadiums have hardwood floorings.
Pros
- Hardwood’s tightly packed grains offer a smooth surface with no room for grime or dirt to hide.
- The surface has anti-skid properties, giving an edge to players pro at dribbling.
- The durability of hardwood is high, except when exposed to hot weather conditions.
- The ball’s response on hardwood is exceptional, offering a high playability quotient.
- The fine fibers and air pockets in hardwood have natural shock-absorbing qualities. So, this surfacing provides excellent traction for enhanced player safety.
Cons
- The installation cost of hardwood flooring is high.
- The surface can’t withstand extreme heat. Hot weather and sunlight can damage and warp the surface within a few months.
#2: Asphalt Surfacing
Most basketball courts in parks and outdoor community centers have asphalt surfacing.
This surfacing is made with a combination of fine sand and oil. Low installation costs make it a preferable option for outdoor basketball courts.
Pros
- Asphalt is a recyclable material, which makes it an eco-friendly option.
- The installation cost of this surfacing is cost-effective.
- Basketball bounces fast and higher on the asphalt surfacing.
Cons
- Asphalt surfacing is prone to chipping and cracking and thus needs regular maintenance.
- The impact of falls is high on asphalt basketball courts. Falling on this surface can damage the ankle and knee joints of players.
- Repetitive leg movement during jump shots on the asphalt surface can result in severe knee pain and fractures.
#3: Multi-Purpose Plastic Surfacing
The basketball court has versatile applications.
Many schools use the court for arranging different sports activities.
In such instances, multi-purpose flooring is a good option.
Multi-purpose flooring is prepared from a combination of asphalt and concrete. Concrete mixed with asphalt offers a sturdy foundation, while the upper surface layer varies.
Here are the materials used for the upper surfacing of multi-purpose courts.
- Acrylic: The acrylic layer is easy-to-install and has high durability. Besides, it is elastic, non-slippery, and low-cost maintenance.
- Tartan: Tartan is a commonly used material for multi-purpose flooring. It has high durability and elasticity. Besides, it has anti-skid properties that offer maximum grip to players.
- Polyurethane: This material is inexpensive and durable. It provides an even surface to players for superior grip. As a result, most multi-purpose floorings use polyurethane.
Pros
- Multi-purpose floorings can withstand heavy foot traffic.
- The installation cost of these floorings is much lesser than other options.
- They are easy to clean and maintain.
- They are durable, elastic, and offer superior grip to players.
Cons
- This flooring may heat up during summers and get damaged.
- They may need resurfacing within a couple of years when used for outdoor basketball flooring.
#4: Rubber Surfacing
The rubber material is a gold standard for high-performance basketball court surfacing.
These courts are constructed with concrete, polypropene plastic, and a layer of rubber material.
The rubber surfacing provides extra cushioning to reduce the impact of falls. Besides, the flooring has high shock absorption capacity that’s favorable for hard hitters.
Pros
- Rubber surfacing has high durability. It doesn’t splinter by high-intensity movements of basketball players.
- The material can sustain extreme weather conditions, minimizing wear and tear.
- The surfacing is skid-proof and provides sturdy ground for superior grip.
- Rubber surfacing aids the ball’s responsiveness, offering a smooth basketball match experience.
- The surfacing has a high coefficient of friction, reducing the impact of severe falls.
- Rubber absorbs sweat buildup and water spilling, thus enhancing playability.
Cons
- The upfront cost of rubber surfacing is expensive. But as the floor has high durability quotient, it won’t need much maintenance costs in the long term. In fact, the court can stay in good condition for ten years.
- The upper layer of the rubber court may appear dull with time. But, cleaning the surface with a mild cleanser and mop can help improve its appearance.
Why Choose Rubcorp’s Rubber Surfacing for Basketball Court?
Here are the top reasons to choose Rubcorp’s rubber surfacing for basketball courts.
- Is Highly Skid-Resistant
Rubcorp complies with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards. It offers high slip resistance and reduces the impact of injuries common during basketball matches. It provides enough traction to help players move swiftly.
- Provides Adequate Cushioning
Rubcorp’s surfacing provides adequate cushioning underfoot, enhancing players’ experiences.
- Easy to Maintain and Clean
Rubcorp’s rubber surfacing is easy to clean and maintain. The court can be cleaned with a mop and mild cleanser. It doesn’t need much maintenance.
- Allows Effortless Customization
Basketball court managers can customize the surfacing using Rubcorp’s colorful EPDM. Check out our website for exploring customization options.
- Delivers Premium Quality at Affordable Prices
Rubcorp offers premium quality rubber surfacing at affordable prices. The best part is the surfacing comes with a warranty of 5 years.
Conclusion
Basketball courts need surfacing that provides top-notch safety to the players as they make fast dribbling and rebounding movements. So, they need a surface that allows them to focus on the sport without stressing about serious injuries.
Rubber surfacing meets all the standard safety requirements and offers high elasticity. Besides, the flooring has shock absorption power that reduces the stress on players’ joints while enhancing their experiences.
These benefits make rubber the best surfacing for basketball courts compared to the other shared options.
If you are looking to install a premium rubber surfacing solution, Rubcorp’s team is here to help!
Get in touch with us to get exclusive guidance on rubber surfacing solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best flooring for a basketball court?
Rubber flooring can sustain dry, damp, and wet weather conditions. Most importantly, it offers a high safety quotient, reducing the impact of severe falls during matches. That’s why rubber surfacing is the best flooring material for a basketball court.
How do you clean the floor of a basketball court?
Basketball court surfaces need extra care and maintenance at regular intervals. But rubber courts can be cleaned with a mild cleaning solution and a mop. This attribute makes rubber surfacing stand out from the others.
What is the best surface for a basketball court?
Rubber flooring creates the best basketball court surface. Check out this FAQ page to explore the benefits of rubber flooring in detail.
What are the dimensions of a basketball court?
Basketball courts can vary in size. According to National Basketball Association (NBA), the standard basketball court size is 94 by 50 feet (28.7 x 15.2 m).
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