There’s nothing quite like playing basketball outside, with the fresh air and sunshine as your only spectators. But that also means you have to deal with different challenges when it comes to getting the ball around. Dirt and grass can make dribbling very difficult, which is why outdoor courts tend to feature a lot of raised surfaces, such as basketball turf or wooden blocks.
And if you’re going to be playing on a surface like that all the time, it might be worth investing in some specialized outdoor basketball flooring to make things easier for you. However, there are lots of options out there – not all of them suitable for an outdoor space! So whether you want to bring your love for basketball outside or simply want to upgrade your current indoor court, here are some things you need to know about the best outdoor basketball flooring before making your choice....
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What to consider when buying outdoor court flooring
As with indoor flooring, outdoor courts can be made from many different types of materials. However, there are some that are better suited to outdoor play than others, particularly when it comes to durability and ease of maintenance.
Durability
The surface of your outdoor court needs to be able to withstand all kinds of weather and play, so it should be able to stand up to the test of time. Newer solid surface acrylics, for example, are great for outdoor courts thanks to their non-slip properties and their ability to withstand rain, snow, and UV rays.
Slip resistance
When you’re playing on an outdoor court, you want to make sure that you’re as safe as possible. That’s why it’s important to make sure that your court has plenty of traction so that you don’t slide around on it.
Cleaning
Although indoor courts can be a lot easier to clean than outdoor courts, you should still make sure your court is as easy to clean as possible. It’s best to choose a material that’s easy to clean, so you can easily clean it after each game.
Synthetic turf
Synthetic turf is a great option for an outdoor basketball surface. It’s extremely durable and can be used for professional play, and it’s also suitable for casual use at home.
The synthetic turf comes in all different colors, so whether you want a vivid green or a darker shade, you can find whatever you’re looking for. It’s also a lot easier to clean than natural turf, and you can use a vacuum to clean it after each game. It’s a great choice if you want to mimic a basketball court without having to actually put a court there. You can use the synthetic turf indoors or outdoors, so it works well with all kinds of spaces.
One thing to note is that synthetic turf can get slippery when it’s wet, so you want to make sure you have non-slip mats under it. You can also choose to put a rubber mat under it to help protect against falls, which is something you definitely want to do if you have younger players playing on it.
Wooden basketball court blocks
Wooden court blocks are a great option for those who want to create an outdoor basketball court but don’t have the space for a full synthetic surface. The court blocks are easy to set up and take down, so you can quickly and easily move them out of the way when you’re not using them.
You can also paint them in a color that matches your space and preferences, so it can look like a real outdoor court. They tend to be made from a softwood like spruce, which helps make them easy to install.
The wood is also pretty resistant to rot and decay, so you don’t need to worry about the blocks getting wet or falling apart. However, wooden blocks are not without their drawbacks.
You do need to regularly treat them to protect against rot and decay, so you need to make sure you have the right materials and know how to take care of them. They also need to be kept dry, so they’re not a great option if you have a lot of rain or snow where you live.
Concrete resins
Concrete resin basketball courts are a great option for those who want something that lasts a long time but doesn’t cost a lot. They’re made from resin, which makes them very durable and easy to maintain. You can easily clean the court by hosing it down when it gets dirty, and it’s also scratch-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about putting any dings in it.
Concrete resin courts are pretty easy to install, although you do need to make sure that you buy the correct material and have it installed by professionals. You can paint the court any color you like, so you can customize the court to fit your space. Concrete resin courts do have some downsides. They can be pretty expensive to install, and they don’t last as long as other materials. They can also be harder to clean than other materials, although an easy solution to this is to put down an outdoor rug next to the court.
Solid surface acrylics
Solid surface acrylic basketball courts are a great option for those looking for a low-maintenance outdoor court. You can easily clean them with water or a mild detergent, which makes them much easier to maintain than a concrete or wooden court. They’re also scratch-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about damaging them when you clean them. You can get solid surface acrylic in a range of different colors, so you can choose one that matches your space and fits your preferences. However, you do need to make sure that you buy the right material.
The two main types of solid surface acrylic are pended and extruded. Extruded is the lower-quality option, so make sure you go for pended! Solid surface acrylics are a great choice for an outdoor basketball court, but they do have some downsides. They’re not as durable as other materials, so you need to make sure you get a thicker type of acrylic for your court. They’re also not as scratch-resistant, so you need to be careful when cleaning them.
Conclusion
Basketball is a great sport to play both indoors and out of doors, but there are a few different considerations to make when choosing basketball court surfaces if you want to play outside.
Synthetic turf is a synthetic surface option that is a great choice for outdoor play and is also suitable for indoor play. If a synthetic surface doesn’t fit your needs for an outdoor court, wooden blocks and concrete resins are also great options.
There are also solid surface acrylics that are very low maintenance and great for outdoor use. When choosing the best outdoor basketball flooring for you, keep these considerations in mind!