Basketball court flooring and what you should know?

Basketball is a popular sport because it can be played by both experienced professionals and  inexperienced players of any age. It is also a sport which can be played at any time of the day or night. This sport is popular among students of all ages because it can be played both indoors and outdoors.

While basketball is a fun sport to play, there are certain safety and practical concerns that should be given proper consideration. Depending on the type of school you’re referring to, the quality of the basketball court flooring can make a huge difference in how you and your players perform on it.

Basketball court gym flooring is more than just a surface to provide safety from injuries or to add to the aesthetics of the court. The flooring and all other components should be able to withstand years of wear and tear without giving up on you. So how exactly should you go about choosing the right basketball court flooring?

# What to look for in basketball court flooring?

First of all and most importantly, make sure that your court flooring is going to be able to withstand the rigors of your game. The type of ball that you play with, as well as the motions involved in bouncing and dribbling, will have a lot to do with how long your flooring for the basketball court will last.

While there are a variety of basketball court flooring surfaces available on the market, it’s important to find one that will suit your needs the best.

1. Durability

It is important to have durable basketball court floorings because they will be used by many people. The ball can be pretty rough on the flooring as it passes back and forth, so you’ll need a floor that won’t show the wear or tear.

Most courts have a basketball flooring system that is intended to last from one season to the next. The material used is usually a composite of various different polymers such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The age of the court also needs to be taken into consideration. If you have an older school, you may need a more durable surface material because that’s going to be the area where students will spend much time on their feet.

2. Easy maintenance

A basketball court floor isn’t just going to clean itself, so make sure that you choose one that doesn’t require any sort of special maintenance. You won’t always have time to go out and get fancy tools for cleaning up your court floor, so make sure that you choose one that is easy enough for anyone at the school to clean. Repairs should also be pretty cost-effective and easy to implement.

3. Cost

Of course, the biggest factor in deciding what kind of basketball court flooring you’re going to choose is going to be the cost. It’s important to keep in mind that you’re going to spend a lot of time out on your court floor, so it needs a surface that will hold up under heavy use. At the same time, you need something that won’t break the bank.

4. Appearance

There are many different types of basketball court flooring available for you to choose from. No matter what style you’re going for, there should be a flooring option that will be suited to your needs. It should have a seamless surface or level surface.

5. Ease of installation

The last thing you want to do is pay for a professional installer when you could do it yourself. Most basketball court flooring comes in sheets today, so it’s easy to put together with the right instructions. If this isn’t an option for you, there are other options available such as prefabricated floors or modular units.

6. Versatility

Basketball courts should be versatile as well. They need to be able to accommodate a variety of games and different types of games such as basketball, volleyball, or even other games. You need to make sure that whatever kind of court flooring you choose can be easily changed to suit your needs.

7. Shock absorption

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a basketball court flooring is shock absorbency. You want to limit the shock that the basketball and other players feel when the ball is bouncing on the court. This will ensure they don’t get hurt. There are certain things you need to look for in order to make sure you don’t get hurt, such as making sure that the court has a good rubber surface on it and that the flooring is at least an inch or two thick.

8. Fade resistance

Basketball court floors should also be fade-resistant especially when located outdoors. This will ensure that your flooring looks good for longer periods of time. Some courts provide a protective coating that will limit fading and other forms of damage.

9. Bounce quality

Another thing that needs to be taken into consideration is bounce quality. You want to make sure that the court bounces the ball back up again as soon as possible to ensure that everyone can keep going without stopping.

10. Slip resistance

Whether indoor or outdoor, basketball courts should be slip-resistant so that players will not slip and fall. If they slip, it can lead to injuries or even worse, make them fall and not be able to play anymore.

11. Stain resistance

Stains are something you’re going to face in the course of playing basketball. Luckily, basketball court floors come with a variety of coating options that can help you with this. The options are tile sealants and rubbers, among others. When selecting your basketball court flooring, make sure to look for one that has these capabilities.

# Types of basketball flooring

The flooring material is another major factor in determining how long your floor will last. There are a few different types of flooring materials you can choose from, such as wood, PVC, and concrete.

Concrete flooring

One of the most common types of basketball court flooring available is concrete basketball courts. These cement sidewalks are used by schools all over the world and offer a lot of flexibility as well as good shock absorption. They can be easily installed and extremely affordable compared to other types.

Wood flooring

Wood floorboards are one of the oldest and most traditional types of basketball court flooring available on the market today. They have great durability and are often used in high school courts all the way up to professional courts.

Rubber flooring

The rubber pad and polyurethane surface is a relatively new type of flooring material that has been growing in popularity over the past few years. It provides a lot of cushioning for players and can be found at many schools around the world. The material is easy to install, affordable, and durable. It is also very easy to clean due to the fact that it is water-resistant.

PVC flooring

PVC floorboards are very popular because of their ability to resist the wear and tear of intense use. They are also easy to install and maintain, although it does require a good amount of maintenance. Its superior quality synthetic products offer health, safety, and environmental advantages since it is certified to be lung-friendly with low levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Hard plastic flooring

Hard plastic flooring is used in places where you want a very cushioned floor. It is generally best suited for younger children, although it can be used in a variety of sports such as basketball.

This is made from polypropylene and provides slip resistance and is often easy to clean. It is also chemical resistant and the colors do not fade. This can be installed both indoors and outdoors.

# How much does a basketball flooring cost?

Basketball court flooring can be a pretty costly addition to any gymnasium or athletic facility; however, if you do your research and know what you’re looking for, it’s possible to find a reasonable price. There are some important things to consider when looking for a basketball court flooring solution though. Make sure to find one that will serve your needs with maximum efficiency and longevity.

Installing a basketball cour flooring will cost $3.5 to $6 per square foot depending on the flooring material used. In addition, you’ll need to pay for installation which will add another $3 to $8 per square foot.

On estimate, a full-size basketball court costs around $29,000 while a 3-on-3 court would be around $5,500.

There are some other things that you may need to spend money on such as basketball hoops, benches, and bleachers. You can expect to spend around $500 on each piece of equipment. You may also need to add on a guard rail or coaching line which could cost another a few hundred dollars.

The cost of basketball hoops will depend on the type of hoops you want. A regulation-size metal basket will cost in the range of $300 while a plastic and fiberglass version costs around $150.

# Basketball court installation

Installing a basketball court flooring is a job that can be done by contractors. They’ll need to use a special adhesive to attach the flooring to the plywood subfloor. The space underneath the courts can then be filled with concrete or a rubberized material that keeps it from sinking into the soil underneath the surface.

# Cleaning and maintenance

It is important to maintain the basketball court because this will allow it to remain in its best condition for many years to come. The best way to clean and maintain a basketball court is by doing so once a week. It is important to do this because the dirt, debris, and dust will accumulate in the cracks of the concrete as time goes on. By doing this you will be able to keep the basketball court in great shape for many years.

Indoor basketball court

The indoor courts are made of the same materials as an outdoor court however, they are stained and varnished to prevent the courts from absorbing the moisture and dirt from the air. This can help prevent damage to the floor without having to encapsulate the court. The floor is usually cleaned by spraying a high-pressure cleaning hose with a cleaning solution. The most common type of cleaning solution is an alkaline detergent called bleach, which can be purchased in bulk for a cheaper price.

Outdoor indoor basketball court

Unlike an indoor court, the average outdoor court is subject to environmental damage. Sunlight, surface temperature, and moisture can greatly affect how quickly a court deteriorates.

A well-maintained outdoor court needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid weathering. Surfaces should be power-washed or hand washed with a neutral pH detergent and allowed to dry completely. Once the floor becomes dirty due to use or improper cleaning, it may need professional resurfacing by an experienced contractor.

# Final thoughts

Basketball courts have become more prevalent in the past few decades due to the rise of college and professional basketball leagues across the world. This has inspired many people to install backyard basketball courts in their own homes to practice their skills on a daily basis.

The quality of your flooring for basketball courts can make a big difference in how you perform on it. Depending on where you’re playing, you may also have special regulations (or requirements) regarding what kind of court flooring you are allowed to use.