Why Choose Concrete For Your Basketball Court? (2024)

by | Nov 10, 2021 | Concrete | 0 comments

Why Choose Concrete For Your Basketball Court? (1)

Concrete can be the best solution for all types of outdoor projects. Outdoor basketball courts are less expensive to construct and give users the enjoyment of spending time outdoors. Whether you want to create an outdoor basketball court for commercial use, or just want to enjoy having a court on your property, your project’s success will depend on choosing the right outdoor basketball court flooring and the right concrete contractor. There are a variety of products available to construct an outdoor basketball court, but which one is right for your needs?

What Makes A Good Outdoor Basketball Court?

Why Choose Concrete For Your Basketball Court? (2)

A good quality outdoor basketball court has the right amount of grip, a consistent surface that provides a good bounce, and has a smooth feel. Three key elements that make up a good outdoor basketball court are durability, traction, and perforation:

Durability:

Durability is essential when building an outdoor basketball court. It is important to look for flooring that can withstand serious foot traffic but is still able to look great for years to come. The flooring you choose will not only need to be strong enough to withstand significant use, but it also is strong enough to withstand the elements that it will be exposed to. When looking at flooring options, consider what materials are UV resistant, can withstand different temperature extremes, and won’t be damaged by snow, ice, sleet, or hail.

Traction:

The flooring of your outdoor basketball court should be able to provide good traction to help keep the court’s users from slipping and falling. Good traction can prevent injury and long-term harm to joints.

Perforation:

Unlike indoor courts, outdoor basketball court surfaces are exposed to the elements. These courts see plenty of rain, so perforated flooring is ideal. Many court tiles feature perforations that allow water to drain through the tiles, which helps prevent the collection of standing water on top of the tiles.

What Are My Flooring Options?

There are three flooring materials that are commonly used in outdoor basketball courts:

Concrete

Why Choose Concrete For Your Basketball Court? (3)

Concrete is incredibly strong and, with proper maintenance and repair, can last from 30 to 40 years. Concrete is also incredibly durable and requires minimal maintenance compared to other flooring materials. Read our article on the pros and cons of concrete driveways to learn more.

Asphalt

Why Choose Concrete For Your Basketball Court? (4)

Asphalt is also a very strong, long-lasting material. Asphalt is very porous, which makes it a good material for drainage. Proper water drainage can reduce the risk of moisture related issues. Asphalt generally lasts 15 to 20 years with proper care and maintenance. Read our article which outlines why you should choose concrete over asphalt.

Sports Tiles

Why Choose Concrete For Your Basketball Court? (5)

Sports tiles are alternative to many other floor surfaces. These tiles either interlock or are suspended together to create the court. Sports tiles are weather-proof and are not permanent, so they can be removed in the off-season

Why Choose Concrete Flooring?

Concrete flooring provides the most stable, long-lasting, and low-maintenance flooring for your outdoor basketball court. Concrete will also last decades longer than asphalt. With proper care and maintenance, the expected lifespan for concrete is 30-40 years, while asphalt is only 15-20 years. Also, concrete stays in place permanently and does not need to be reassembled every season like courts with sport tile flooring would.

Is It Durable?

As previously mentioned, durability is a key factor when considering flooring options for an outdoor basketball court. Asphalt oxidizes over time and becomes brittle, which makes it highly susceptible to cracking and thus, is less durable than concrete.

What is the Maintenance Required?

Concrete requires minimal maintenance, however wear and tear over time is unavoidable. Concrete will take a longer time to deteriorate in comparison to other flooring materials, but some upkeep and repairs are still required. Apex Concrete can apply a fresh layer of concrete wherever it may be needed to make your concrete flooring look brand new again. Placing a new layer of concrete is only one option, if the wear and tear is extensive enough, Apex Concrete can also replace concrete anywhere you might need it.

Hire Apex Concrete & Hauling to Build Your Concrete Basketball Court

Why Choose Concrete For Your Basketball Court? (6)

The flooring material of your outdoor basketball court is extremely important. With bad court flooring, you will not only be faced with repairs often, but it will also be more hazardous for users. Choosing the right materials will allow you to avoid injuries, protect your investment, and get yourself a long-lasting court. Concrete is a great flooring option for outdoor basketball courts as it is extremely durable and requires minimal maintenance and repair. Apex Concrete is able to bring you the highest quality Concrete Contractor services at the most affordable rates. to build your outdoor basketball court today!

Why Choose Concrete For Your Basketball Court? (2024)

FAQs

Why Choose Concrete For Your Basketball Court? ›

Concrete is renowned for its longevity and resistance to wear and tear. Unlike natural surfaces that can become uneven or suffer from erosion over time, a well-constructed concrete court remains relatively low-maintenance and can withstand heavy use for years.

Is concrete or cement better for a basketball court? ›

Concrete is a great flooring option for outdoor basketball courts as it is extremely durable and requires minimal maintenance and repair.

Should backyard basketball courts be concrete or asphalt? ›

We recommend the foundation of your backyard basketball court be concrete, which provides the most stable, long-lasting and low-maintenance foundation. Asphalt will oxidize and become brittle over time, thus is susceptible to cracking.

How much concrete is needed for a basketball court? ›

How Thick Does Concrete Need to Be for a Basketball Court? All the court materials mentioned will require a concrete base level. You should expect to build an outdoor basketball court on a slab that's no less than 4 inches thick.

Can I play basketball on concrete? ›

Sport Court Flooring. When playing sports like basketball or exercising on a court, you risk falling down. If you have a concrete court, the impact of the fall could result in serious injuries.

What type of concrete is best for a basketball court? ›

Base Material

Many courts are built over a 4” thick concrete slab using 3500 PSI concrete and 1/2″ rebar reinforcements. Concrete is considered ideal for sport courts as a permanent structure that when done right will not require any maintenance.

Why is a Sport Court better than concrete? ›

Playing on hard surfaces such as concrete can lead to “jumper's knee,” also known as patellar tendonitis. Sport Court surfaces are excellent shock absorbers; Sport Court flooring have been shown to reduce head-to-leg shock by 14 percent, and landing shock at tibia by four percent.

Can you make a basketball court without concrete? ›

The "No Concrete" Court Base. The VersaCourt Foundation Panel is the ideal alternative to installing a concrete or asphalt pad… especially for homeowners and facility operators faced with impervious surface regulations.

How thick should concrete be for an outdoor basketball court? ›

However, a common recommendation is to have a concrete thickness of 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) for basketball court surfaces. This thickness provides adequate strength and durability to withstand the regular usage and impact of basketball activities.

Is basketball court concrete? ›

For starters, there is a hardwood court. This is the type of court you see used in NBA and NCAA basketball facilities. This type of court is very durable and does not require much maintenance. Next, there are asphalt or concrete basketball courts.

Is asphalt stronger than concrete? ›

Concrete is a stronger material and can withstand heavier loads and harsher weather conditions. It also does not soften in high temperatures like asphalt can, which can lead to cracks and potholes. However, if repairs are needed, they can be more expensive and time-consuming for concrete roads.

How to make a high school 3 point line? ›

Remember a three-point line is 19'9” (high school 3 point) from the center of the rim, not the backboard, not the pole and the center of the rim is 15” from the backboard. If you want the full range of the three-point line you will need to go a minimum of 45' wide and ideal is 50'.

How to make a concrete basketball court less slippery? ›

Using anti-slip paint like Pro Grip on outdoor basketball courts enhances their safety and performance. If you're looking for a durable and long-lasting solution for your athletic court, epoxy paint may be the answer.

What are the benefits of outdoor Sport Court? ›

Sport Court is designed to absorb the shock of falls and it has just enough grip to allow players to easily pivot, scoot, run, and jump without falling. Life span: Sport Court lasts at least 15 years or longer. Cost-effective: Compared to other surfaces, Sport Court is low-maintenance and requires little upkeep.

What is the best flooring for a basketball court? ›

Vinyl flooring has proven to have excellent traction and better shock absorption than traditional wood flooring, which makes it a safer flooring choice for indoor basketball courts. The surface is incredibly durable and requires less maintenance than wood while providing better bounce.

What is the best floor finish for a basketball court? ›

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.

How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab for a basketball court? ›

Poured concrete costs around $6 per square foot, putting your basketball court's concrete surface at around $28,200 for a full-sized court and $14,100 for a half-sized court. Concrete is a popular option for outdoor basketball courts because of its durability, affordability, and long life span.

What is the best surface for a sports court? ›

Outdoor sports tiles are the ideal flooring for basketball courts, tennis courts, roller hockey rinks, and many other sports. These court tiles have been formulated to withstand the harshest of environments.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terence Hammes MD

Last Updated:

Views: 6015

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terence Hammes MD

Birthday: 1992-04-11

Address: Suite 408 9446 Mercy Mews, West Roxie, CT 04904

Phone: +50312511349175

Job: Product Consulting Liaison

Hobby: Jogging, Motor sports, Nordic skating, Jigsaw puzzles, Bird watching, Nordic skating, Sculpting

Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.