Choosing the right type of backyard sports flooring?
More and more sports enthusiasts will DIY their backyard sports flooring and choosing the right type of sports floor is the most crucial. The perfect sports flooring will allow you to save money and have a more comfortable sports experience at the same time. In the following article, I’m going to cover the common backyard sports floors on the market and how to choose the best one for you.
1. Type of sport
Measure the dimensions of your court and determine the main types of sports to be played. Different types of sports will require different types of sports floors.
2. Size and ground
The size of your sports court is indeed important as it can have an impact on the overall gameplay and safety of players. Different sports have specific court size requirements to ensure fair competition and proper gameplay.
In reality, however, our backyards can hardly accommodate all sports. So here I am listing court sizes for different sports to help you design your backyard.
| Ball Sport | Court Size |
|---|---|
| Basketball | 94 feet long and 50 feet wide |
| 3×3 Basketball | 49.2 feet long and 36.1 feet wide |
| Volleyball (indoor) | 59 feet long and 29.5 feet wide |
| Volleyball (beach) | 52.5 feet long and 26.3 feet wide |
| Tennis (singles) | 78 feet long and 27 feet wide |
| Tennis (doubles) | 78 feet long and 36 feet wide |
| Badminton (singles) | 44 feet long and 20 feet wide |
| Badminton (doubles) | 44 feet long and 44 feet wide |
| Table Tennis | 9 feet long and 5 feet wide |
| Handball | 40 meters long and 20 meters wide |
| Squash | 32 feet long and 21 feet wide |
| Racquetball | 40 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 20 feet high |
| Futsal | Between 38 and 42 meters long and between 18 and 22 meters wide |
| Water polo | Typically 30 meters long and 20 meters wide |
| Hockey | 100 yards long and 60 yards wide |
| Rugby | 100 meters long and 70 meters wide |
3. Flooring Durability
Most of our backyard is not covered by a shelter, so we choose sports flooring from the perspective of durability. The surface should be able to withstand frequent use, varying weather conditions, and the demands of different sports.
Here I list the 5 most common types of sports flooring materials and their durability.
| Flooring Material | Estimated Lifetime | Weathering Resistance |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | 20-40 years | Not resistant to moisture, humidity, and extreme temperature changes. May warp or crack over time with exposure to moisture. |
| Synthetic flooring | 10-20 years | Highly resistant to moisture, humidity, and extreme temperature changes. Can withstand exposure to sunlight, rain, and snow. |
| Concrete flooring | 20-30 years | Highly resistant to moisture, humidity, and extreme temperature changes. Can withstand exposure to sunlight, rain, and snow. |
| Artificial turf | 8-15 years | Highly resistant to moisture, humidity, and extreme temperature changes. Can withstand exposure to sunlight, rain, and snow. However, the color may fade over time, and the fibers may become brittle with prolonged exposure to UV radiation. |
| Interlocking tiles | 10-20 years | Highly resistant to moisture, humidity, and extreme temperature changes. Can withstand exposure to sunlight, rain, and snow. But some cheap materials are also easy to deform. |
4. Sports Safety
Many parents build sports courts for their children. But even very common sports can pose a risk of injury. Active youngsters often fall, bruise, cut, and in some serious cases break bones and bleed while playing sports. So sports safety is very important.
There are at least 5 points to consider when it comes to the safety of sports floors: hardness, edges, shock absorption, stability, and slip assistance.
- Hardness
| Flooring Material | Hardness Rating |
|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | 1,100-1,400 pounds-force (Janka hardness rating) |
| Synthetic flooring | 60-100 Shore A hardness rating (depending on the material) |
| Concrete flooring | 4,000-8,000 pounds per square inch (psi) compressive strength |
| Artificial turf | Relatively soft surface compared to other flooring materials |
| Interlocking tiles | 80-90 Shore A hardness rating (depending on the material) |
- Edges
| Flooring Material | Softness of Edges |
|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | Sharp edges and corners |
| Synthetic flooring | Rounded or beveled edges (depending on the specific material) |
| Concrete flooring | Sharp edges and corners |
| Artificial turf | Rounded or beveled edges |
| Interlocking tiles | Rounded or beveled edges (depending on the specific material) |
- Shock absorption
| Flooring Material | Shock Absorption |
|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | Limited shock absorption, can cause joint stress and fatigue |
| Synthetic flooring | Good shock absorption can provide a cushioned surface for athletes during play |
| Concrete flooring | Limited shock absorption, can cause joint stress and fatigue |
| Artificial turf | Good shock absorption can provide a cushioned surface for athletes during play |
| Interlocking tiles | Good shock absorption can provide a cushioned surface for athletes during play |
- Stability
| Flooring Material | Stability |
|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | Relatively stable, but can be affected by changes in temperature and humidity |
| Synthetic flooring | Typically stable, but some materials may be prone to buckling or warping if exposed to extreme heat or cold |
| Concrete flooring | Very stable, but can be affected by changes in temperature and humidity |
| Artificial turf | Typically stable, but the underlying base material may shift or settle over time |
| Interlocking tiles | Typically stable, but the tiles may become loose or dislodged over time if not properly installed or maintained |
- Slip assistant
| Flooring Material | Slip Resistance |
|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | Can be slippery when wet or polished, but finishes are available to improve slip resistance |
| Synthetic flooring | Generally slip-resistant and provides good traction for athletes |
| Concrete flooring | Can be slippery when wet, but coatings and treatments are available to improve slip resistance |
| Artificial turf | Generally slip-resistant and provides good traction for athletes, but may become slick if covered in debris or water |
| Interlocking tiles | Generally slip-resistant and provides good traction for athletes |
5. Maintenance and Cleaning
Keeping your backyard sports flooring clean and well-maintained is essential for its longevity and performance. Maintenance costs mainly come from repair & replacement costs, and cleaning costs.
First repair costs depend largely on the flooring surface material. The second replacement cost is usually the replacement of a single piece of flooring, depending on the lifetime of the flooring.
| Flooring Material | Maintenance Requirements |
|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | Regular sweeping and mopping, periodic sanding and refinishing |
| Synthetic flooring | Low-maintenance, easy to clean with a damp mop or cleaner |
| Concrete flooring | Regular sweeping and mopping, periodic sealing or polishing |
| Artificial turf | Regular brushing and cleaning to remove debris, possible infill material, depending on the type |
| Interlocking tiles | Low-maintenance, easy to clean with a damp mop or cleaner, periodic replacement if damaged or worn |
As for the cleaning costs, some floors can be cleaned by simply hosing them down, others need to be waxed and deep cleaned. Investing in quality sports flooring will save you money in the long term.
6. Budget-Friendly
For most families, it’s important to shop for one of the most cost-effective flooring. Here’s a list I’ve compiled of their common costs that you can use as a reference.
| Flooring Material | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | $8-$15 or more |
| Synthetic flooring | $2-$12 |
| Concrete flooring | $2-$10 |
| Artificial turf | $5-$20 or more |
| Interlocking tiles | $2-$8 |
7. Eco-Friendly
With growing environmental concerns, it’s worth considering the eco-friendliness of the sports flooring you choose. Look for options made from recycled materials or those that are easily recyclable at the end of their life.
| Flooring Material | Environmental Impact |
|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | Can have a negative impact if not sustainably sourced or finished with harmful chemicals |
| Synthetic flooring | Relatively environmentally friendly, but the manufacturing process can be energy-intensive and contribute to carbon emissions |
| Concrete flooring | Relatively environmentally friendly, but manufacturing process can be energy-intensive and contribute to carbon emissions |
| Artificial turf | Can have a negative impact due to the use of petroleum-based materials |
| Interlocking tiles | Can have a negative impact due on the manufacturing process and the release of harmful chemicals |
While almost all flooring is not very eco-friendly, some of them have special material options that are purely green. You can learn about it through this article of mine.
I hope this blog will help you choose a backyard sports floor and that your family will have a great time!
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