There is no doubt that basketball is one of the most loved and played sports in the world, especially in America. You’ll be amazed that the NBA league generates over 10 billion dollars in revenue! We love the game and idolize its stars, almost all of which started their journey to the big leagues by shooting hoops at their local neighborhood courts or their homes!
And if you’re a casual baller with dreams of making it big one day just like them, or someone looking to spend some quality time with their loved ones, building your own backyard basketball court can help you accomplish both!
But building a court is not a simple task. From fencing and proper lighting to selecting the right backboard and rim, a lot of things need to be considered while designing and constructing a basketball court.
Out of many others, one of the things that will have a major influence on your game experience and performance is the surface you select for your basketball court, also called flooring. The flooring type you choose for your court must be slip-resistant, have high traction, and have appropriate ball responsiveness for a smooth basketball experience.
Moreover, it should be weather resistant to withstand harsh weather conditions and extreme temperatures without sustaining damage.
Why Have an Outdoor Basketball Court?
For a basketball enthusiast, having a backyard basketball court in your home where you can hoop anytime is a dream! You can develop your abilities and grow better at the game with its help! Additionally, playing basketball with your family is a fantastic way to spend time together! Play hoops with your kids or challenge your guests to a friendly ball game on your own basketball court!
In addition to that, basketball is a great exercise and has a lot of health benefits. The game requires strenuous body movements and helps improve body coordination, balance, and stamina. So if you want to lose some extra pounds, or get an athletic body, build your own basketball court and start playing!
What Features Should a Basketball Court Surface Have?
The surface of a basketball court is one of its most significant features, as it directly influences the players’ performance and the overall game experience. The players are always dribbling, running, and dodging on the court, so the surface must be slip-resistant and have high traction. This will give the players a good grip, ultimately complementing their performance.
In addition to that, since tackles and falls are common in a basketball game, the surface must be shock absorbent to minimize the risks of serious injuries. All these features should be carefully considered while choosing a surface material for a basketball court!
The Importance of Weather-Resistant Basketball Court Flooring
Atop all the features above, your outdoor court’s surface must also be weather-resistant. You definitely don’t want cracks and peels appearing on your court floor just weeks after it’s built. This is why the flooring type you choose is important; it needs to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh climate conditions such as intense sunlight, rainstorms, snow, and high humidity.
Types of Basketball Court Flooring
Let’s look at common sports flooring types used for outdoor ball courts.
Concrete
Concrete is the most basic and commonly used flooring type for residential indoor basketball courts as well as commercial basketball courts. You might have seen concrete courts in community parks in your neighborhood. Concrete is slip-resistant and provides a solid grip and high ball responsiveness. Players love to play basketball on concrete courts because of its natural feel and the distinct bounce sound concrete gives.
Moreover, concrete is very inexpensive and easy to use; just make the mix, pour, level, and let it dry. However, concrete is very hard, increasing the chances of injuries and scratches. In addition to that, it can crack under extreme weather conditions.
Asphalt
Asphalt is another commonly used surface material for a basketball court. It is petroleum-based, made by mixing tar and stones. Asphalt provides excellent traction and a smooth feel which enhances the game experience.
It also has very high weather resistance, and an asphalt court surface can last up to 15 years without a single maintenance. You can also paint your asphalt court surface to give it an aesthetic look.
Court Tiles
We recommend choosing basketball court tiles if you want to give your court a clean, sharp look. Court tiles are laid over concrete surfaces and have a smooth feel. These floor tiles are weather-resistant, affordable, convenient to install, and highly customizable.
Court tiles may not provide as much grip as asphalt or concrete, but these tiles have a higher bounce and ball responsiveness. Basketball floor court tiles are also very easy to clean and require very minimal maintenance.
Synthetic Turf
Primarily used for residential indoor tennis courts, synthetic turf flooring is also getting very popular in ball courts. Synthetic turf has a very soft and aesthetically pleasing feel. It is made of recycled material, making it an eco-friendly option.
Synthetic turf has a high shock-absorbing ability, reducing the chances of serious injuries. This flooring type is the best option if you’re deciding to build a multi-sport court. A multi-sport court allows you to play different sports, such as tennis, basketball, and badminton.
Rubber
Rubber has a lot of properties that make it the ideal option for a basketball sports court. First of all, rubber is recyclable and eco-friendly. It has excellent performance, amazing ball responsiveness, better bounce, and superior shock-absorbing ability.
You can also add shock pads under the rubber surface to increase its cushioning capability. Rubber flooring may seem a bit expensive, but considering all its amazing properties, it is definitely worth the investment!
Final Thoughts – The Best Outdoor Basketball Court Flooring for Weather Resistance
There are a variety of different flooring options available in not just outdoor but indoor basketball courts as well. Commonly used flooring materials include concrete, asphalt, rubber, and court tiles. We have discussed their properties along with the pros and cons above.
Make sure to thoroughly go through and consider them before choosing a flooring type! You can also hire professionals such as HCA Sports to build a high-standard basketball court for you at a reasonable price!
Nate Parsons is the owner of Home Court Advantage, a leading manufacturer and supplier of premium residential and commercial athletic courts based in Northern Illinois. With a strong background in therapeutic recreation and business from York College, Nate has excelled in the sports industry, from college tennis to national rankings in platform tennis. He has served as the Director of Racquet Sports at Glen View Club, President of the Professional Platform Tennis Association, and as a teaching professional in tennis, pickleball, and platform tennis. Nate is also the founder of Pickleball AI, a platform for tracking players and points, and Club Dink, a pickleball brand that brings fun to the game.
