SportProsUSA answers some of the most common questions that our customers ask when they are ready to build a Sport Court.
#1 Question: What size is appropriate for our backyard?
Answer: Size is a personal preference depending on the overall plan for your backyard. A court can be designed to meet your needs, activity level, and budget. That being said, the #1 complaint we have received over the years has been “I wish I would have made my court bigger!”
#2 Question: How long does it take to install?
Answer: The average backyard court takes about 3 days to prep (depending on size) and 1-3 days to install the surface, components, and complete the line painting.
#3 Question: What is the smallest court I can have?
Answer: A court can be any size. A true 1/2 court is 50×42. Most people do not have the room for this. The most popular size is 30×50. The smallest court we recommend is a 28×43 which will still allow for the entire three-point line.
#4 Question: Who does the work?
Answer: We have factory trained staff which will handle all the court work. For preparation and base-work we use our staff or pre-qualified subcontractors who perform to our strict standards.
#5 Question: If I have a lot coverage issue, what options do I have?
Answer: Unfortunately, each municipality has different rules for what can and cannot be done. Our best solution would be our SportBase. Using SportBase as a court base (instead of concrete) satisfies most municipalities qualifications regarding lot coverage.
#6 Question: What size is a basketball court?
Answer: A full size court is 84×50 (line to line). College and professional is 94×55.
#7 Question: What size is a tennis court?
Answer: An official size tennis court is 60×120. This is usually adjusted down to 50×100 for backyards, which does not effect play within the lines.
#8 Question: What size is a multi-sport court?
Answer: Multi-sport courts are usually 28×44 or larger.
#9 Question: How long does a court surface last?
Answer: A Sport Court surface is covered by a 15- year limited warranty but with proper care and maintenance courts can last upwards of 25 years.
#10 Question: What colors are available?
Answer: There are a variety of color options and combinations available for your Sport Court, and every court is a unique expression of the owner(s). Whether you want your school or team colors, to replicate your favorite sports team’s colors, or just want a court that blends into the surrounding landscape, SportProsUSA can help you find the right colors and design to fit your personal preferences. For available colors, please ask to see color samples on your appointment. Click here for more details about designing your Sport Court.
#11 Question: How much does a court cost?
Answer: The cost of a Sport Court depends on numerous different factors, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” price. The size of the court, components and accessories, and amount of site work needed are a few examples of variables that can affect price. For a more detailed understanding of the cost of a Sport Court, please click here. For an accurate quote customized to your specific needs, please contact us to set up a free at-home estimate.
#12 Question: How big is 30 x 50?
Answer: A 30 x 50 court is slightly larger than a pool or a five-car garage.
#13 Question: What are the benefits of a Sport Court surface as opposed to playing on blacktop?
Answer: All of Sport Court’s products are manufactured with safety and performance in mind. Sport Court’s patented surfacing products are custom engineered, backed by 40 years of court building experience, and outplay any other modular surface in the industry. They provide a safe, high-performance basketball surface that reduces shock, minimizes injuries, delivers excellent traction and ball response, and can be customized with team colors and logos. You can visit our Sport Court Product Page to read through some of the benefits of specific Sport Court products, or contact us for more information.
#14 Question: Who paints the lines on the court?
Answer: The lines are painted on the court after the installation is complete. A proprietary primer is used with paint specifically designed to hold up to high traffic areas. Painted lines typically last for many years without needing any retouching.
#15 Question: Who determines lot coverage?
Answer: Lot coverage is determined by each municipality. Where your lot is located and its size can determine what specific rules and regulations you need to follow. Please contact your municipality for more information.
#16 Question: What’s the first step in determining how big my court can be?
Answer: Usually a survey can help you determine location and size. The most important factor will be what you want to do on the court.
#17 Question: What are my additional options to add to the court?
Answer: SportProsUSA offers a wide variety of the highest quality components, accessories and equipment available on the market today. Depending on your family’s interests, you could include things like lighting for nighttime play, rebounders, a multi-game net system, and more. We can build a batting cage adjacent to your court, paint a shuffleboard court, add lines for FourSquare, or anything else customized to your family’s wants and needs. If you can dream it, SportProsUSA can build it!
#18 Question: My backyard is on a hill. How do I prevent the balls from going into my neighbors yard?
Answer: Properties on a hill can cause challenges with prep work. We work with landscape architects who have come up with beautiful and practical solutions. Containment netting is usually the best option to handle stray balls and keep everything within the court area.
#19 Question: How do I maintain my Sport Court game court?
Answer: Maintenance and care of your court is simple. A basic broom, leaf blower, or hose can be used to keep the top surface free of debris. Because water drains quickly through the open-grid design, your court is ready for play soon after cleaning or inclement weather. We recommend an annual inspection and cleaning, and offer easy maintenance plans for all of our customers. Contact us for more information.
#20 Question: Why is a Sport Court surface important?
Answer: Bottom line – the safety of your children and family. No other outdoor modular sports surface delivers a better combination of shock absorption (protection from injury), ball response, traction and playability than Sport Court’s PowerGame surface. While there are other modular surfaces available on the market, why take the risk when your family’s safety is on the line?
#21 Question: Is the surface slippery when wet?
Answer: Almost any surface – whether grass, artificial turf, or even concrete/asphalt – can be slippery when wet. We don’t recommend active play on any wet surface, until the athlete has had the opportunity to test the surface and adjust his or her play accordingly. Sport Court’s open-grid design sheds water quickly, making it possible to return to action much sooner than with other surfaces, once the weather subsides.
#22 Question: Do I need a permit to build a backyard court?
Answer: In some communities, you may be required to get residential building permits before work on your backyard game court can begin. SportProsUSA can manage the time-consuming and often stressful process of obtaining these permits for your project. We can gather all the required information for your Sport Court building permit, process the application and deliver the permit directly to you. Let us do the work for you! Contact us for more information.
#23 Question: Does Sport Court flooring require a climate-controlled building?
Answer: Unlike many other flooring systems, Sport Court surfaces perform in a wide variety of climate and conditions. Extreme cold, heat, and humidity generally do not effect the playability and endurance of our sports floors. Maximize the use of your court with a Sport Court surface.
#24 Question: How is Sport Court flooring affected by moisture?
Answer: Unlike wood and most synthetic floors, Sport Court’s modular systems are virtually unaffected by water. Whether in vapor form, emitting from concrete slabs or sub-surface, or even (in most circumstances) in case of flooding or submersion, Sport Court surfaces are designed and manufactured to stand the test of time (and water)! In fact, Sport Court modular surfacing has often been used to retrofit facilities whose floors were damaged by flooding.
#25 Question: Does Sport Court use any hazardous chemicals or materials in its manufacturing processes or installation?
Answer: No. Sport Court’s products meet all safety standards and contain no hazardous chemicals. In addition, Sport Court was the first sports flooring manufacturer to implement and certify a quality manufacturing process through ISO certification and be a ZeroWaste company. As a ZeroWaste company, less than 1% of all waste is sent to a landfill. Sport Court continues to explore options that will result in an even further reduction of waste reaching a landfill.
#26 Question: What sports and games can be played on a multi-sport court?
Answer: Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Futsal, Hockey, Badminton, Speedminton, Shuffleboard, Whiffleball, Street/Dek Hockey, Inline/Roller Hockey, Floor Hockey, Roller Skating, Hopscotch, Tot Play, Dances, Short Court Tennis, POP Tennis, Paddle Tennis, Pickleball, Foam Tennis, Four Square, Scooters, Trikes, Soccer Tennis, Dodgeball, Kickball, Handball, Parties, Big Wheels and more. In some climates, your Sport Court can be flooded to create an ice rink for even more winter fun! Read our quick and easy guide, How to Turn Your Backyard Court Into an Ice Rink.
#27 Question: What if I just want a half-court basketball court?
Answer: SportProsUSA builds half-court and full-court basketball courts, customized to your needs, activity level, and budget. Our most popular half-court sizes are: 30×30, 30×40, and 30×50. Full courts (with basketball hoops on each end) are typically 35×55, 30×60, 35×65, 40×70, 46×75, 50×80, 54×94, and 56×104.
#28 Question: What is the distance from the free throw line to the front of the backboard?
Answer: The front of the backboard is 15’ from the back of the 2” free throw line.
#29 Question: What kind of base do you recommend for a court?
Answer: SportProsUSA typically recommends a concrete pad made of 4” reinforced concrete. Concrete, when done to court specifications, offers the best long-term performance. Asphalt has been used for many courts as a less expensive option for tennis courts, and occasionally (with special conditions) a compacted stone base may be used for half-court basketball or small multi-sport courts.
#30 Question: How do I get concrete to my backyard if there is not access for a concrete truck?
Answer: By using a line or book pump from the street or a motorized corner buggy (oversized wheelbarrow with a motor).
#31 Question: Who builds the court once we decide to go ahead?
Answer: Authorized Sport Court dealers, contractors and/or factory trained installers. SportProsUSA’s courts are built to specifications provided by the company engineering department and construction team. We can work with your contractor on base preparation, orientation, concrete specifications, setting anchors or sleeves, electrical, or other issues. We can provide an experienced installer to come in once the concrete has been poured to complete the installation of your surface, components, and lining. (Any lighting assembly hook-up would need to be done by a licensed electrician.)
Each family’s court is custom-designed with consideration to the following court building conditions and variables: climate, frost levels, soil type, water runoff/table, slope, neighbor considerations, Home Owners Association Guidelines, City/County/Township requirements (setbacks, easements, or other considerations) underground or over ground utilities, septic systems, drain fields, landscape aesthetics, orientation, sun direction in relationship to court, safety, optimum use, activity level, interest, and budget.
#32 Question: How long does it take to build a court?
Answer: No two backyards or courts are the same. Each family’s court is custom designed. How long it takes depends on the weather, access, terrain, permits, HOA approvals if applicable, etc. Generally, an average project will take 4-6 weeks from the date the customer signs off on design (finalized plans) to a finished product. Once plans are finalized, material and components are ordered and the construction schedules are set to begin work once the material is delivered. Be sure to speak with your Court Builder to get an idea of timeline and expectations.
#33 Question: What is the biggest regret clients have after getting a court?
Answer: That they didn’t get it sooner and make it bigger!
#34 Question: If you move can you take the court with you?
Answer: Yes. The surface and all the components (basketball systems, lights, containment netting, etc.) are designed to easily be removed and re-installed at a new location. The only thing you will need to provide would be a new base for your court.
#35 Question: What are the steps to building a court?
Answer:
- Get excited about ownership and share the excitement with your family!
- Call SportProsUSA to provide an estimate/site analysis.
- With the help of SportProsUSA, determine the best location for the court (considering a number of factors).
- Determine the size and component options for your court.
- Determine the color scheme and line design layout.
- Finalize proposal and contract.
- Approve proposals, design, and agreements.
- Place surface and component orders.
- Schedule construction work after all permits and approvals are secured.
- Clear vegetation and prepare site base.
- Determine drainage slope and direction.
- Form, pour concrete, and set anchors or sleeves for poles.
- Install components, surface, and line the court.
- Clean up site.
- Get excited to play.
- Call friends, neighbors, and family and invite them to the party.
- HAVE FUN!