It’s time to get your game on! Pickleball is the newest sport in town, and you’re totally missing out. This article will give you 6 steps on how to build a pickleball court for yourself, so follow carefully. Don’t worry too much because this guide will be right here for you to circle back to when you need it!
Let’s do this together so we can also make use of the sunlight before winter hits!
How To Build A Pickleball Court?
The steps are relatively simple, so all you need is some ground to work on and a little bit of handiwork. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Select The Area You Want To Put The Court In
To play pickleball, you need a space that is at least 30 feet by 60. The lines and volleys take up extra room outside of this size. So, it’s important for larger fields where there are multiple courts or layouts set up in one area because they will all want their own areas too!
For single-player games, though, just make sure both sides include enough padding with an additional few feet on either side if possible – but don’t push any past 40′.
For 4 courts, you need roughly the same amount of space as a tennis court surface provides. Orientation – where your court is facing is also key! North-south over east-west will limit sun in your eyes and allow for play throughout any weather condition with no worries about rain delays or anything like that because we are not lawyers here.
Make sure to check local regulations before setting up shop. Hence, everything goes smoothly from the start (and if there aren’t already established rules governing how many players per team can use each available piece).
Step 2: Choose On And Prepare The Necessary Materials
If you are thinking about the costs of building a pickleball court, your mind is in the right place. The first thing you need to think about is materials. That’s because those will be the biggest driver of what your final cost should end up being, and if there are any restrictions on which products can or cannot be used in making them (e.g., for environmental concerns).
The more money goes into sourcing these supplies from suppliers like landscapers who specialize only in this field. Then again – especially when dealing with surfaces such as concrete pavers that don’t come cheap at all! However, we’re guessing most people would rather not have to worry themselves too much over every detail while planning their perfect outdoor space.
The court is made of the same materials as a basketball or tennis facility, including concrete and asphalt. It can also come with padding to make it easier on your feet while playing!
- Concrete
Concrete is a great pickleball court material because it’s affordable and durable. Once you have the material, all you get to do is lay down their desired surface, grade for proper drainage in order to finish with your chosen paint/lines!
- Asphalt
Asphalt is a great alternative to concrete for pickleball courts. It requires less maintenance and can last up until 20 years or more, but it also needs some extra care, like keeping the surface free of weeds so it doesn’t end up damaging your lawn in time.
Not only does this make you have two options when picking out what kind of court material best suits your family’s needs. There will also be inspections done before anything goes down!
- Plastic Tiles
The cost of installing plastic tiles on top of your court can be expensive, ranging from $6-$7K. Still, they’re better in terms that these surfaces are much more versatile than with other materials. Because you’ll have the option to install any type of line and design desired down below without permanently altering an existing playing surface!
For example: In case there is a pickleball court owned by someone who wants their lines changed or added but doesn’t want anything too drastic done. This would work well enough, thanks largely due to its cushioning qualities as compared to concrete.
- Other Materials
As earlier mentioned, there are different materials you can add to create a more comfortable playing experience. One such material is padding! Pads help absorb the shock when playing sports and encourage the force at which your pickleball ball is hit on the ground.
Step 3: Pick The Colors
What’s the best part about building a pickleball court? You can design it to fit your personality and home! There are so many colors available for designs, including options like stenciling or other exceptional graphics. What color would you choose as its base coat, in addition to those placed around each side of the play space?
Before starting construction on this new project, try asking yourself these questions: which color and what things do I want to appear inside my lines when playing, and other appearance-wise elements!
Step 4: Pick A Net System
Once you have decided on everything to do with your pickleball court surface, it’s time for professional playing space. Plenty of different products will help you achieve this goal: permanent nets or portable ones capable of being set up and taken down as needed depending upon where autumn leaves off-trackless play takes place!
A good rule is always to try before buying if possible because some surfaces may need specific netting systems designed especially for them, while others work well no matter what kind one chooses. You should also ensure each option suits the purpose desired by giving careful consideration first – then go ahead buy whatever best suits all parties involved in advance, so there’s nothing left to think about later!
The first time you play pickleball, it’s important to have the right equipment. There are many types of nets and posts available on the market today that can transform any outdoor space into a playable court!
If your game doesn’t involve moving around much or playing in different locations, consider investing in one net system with pre-installed posts. This way, all players will be able to use these durable materials year-round without worrying about taking them down between seasons.
This ensures good drainage, too, since the nets will be set deep enough where water won’t pool near its base next time rain comes along throughout the winter months (and spring thaw).
Step 5: Equip Your Court With Fencing And Lighting
A pickleball court fence is essential for keeping the ball in play and preventing others from playing on your court after hours. Consider fencing only if it will be installed near an area that balls can fly off to but shouldn’t. Such as homes with decks overlooking courts or businesses next door that lease space out back for their employees’ recreation (and sometimes even have parties).
You’ll also need a high enough height – four feet up works well, but 10 feet tall fences are common too!
You need to have lights on your pickleball court if you want to play at night. It’s not as hard as it sounds: Just make sure there are two 1-Kw light poles in the middle of each side near where they meet up with the centerline, and that will ensure optimal visibility!
Regarding dimensions for standard courts (those without alterations), the light poles should be 18 feet wide x 34 feet long, from which all other measurements were derived – giving players plenty more space when compared against tennis net sizes or basketball field markings!
Step 6: Set Up Your Pickleball Court
Once the materials have been picked out and prepared, it’s time to set up. The following tips can help you in your building process:
Hire A Professional Contractor
When you have your own pickleball court, installing a net system can be quick and easy. However, if you want to install one in order for others (clubs/schools) to use it too, hiring an experienced professional contractor is a nice idea. As they know how things need to be set up properly, so that code compliance is adhered to at all times!
Orient Your Pickleball Court North-South
Outdoor pickleball courts are open to all sorts of environmental elements that can obstruct players’ vision (sunlight, shadows cast onto the surface of the court), so it’s important to orient your court north-south.
Court Lines Should Be White And 2 Inches Wide
There are many ways for you to draw up court lines, either with the contractor’s blue #1 chalk dust, sidewalk chalk, orange masking tape, green tape, or even acrylic paint. These are the lines you need to draw:
- Baselines: Draw lines parallel to the net on the two ends of the court.
- Sidelines: Draw lines perpendicular to the baselines along the length of the court.
- Non-Volley Line: Draw lines 7 feet from and parallel to the net on both sides of the net.
- Centerlines: Draw lines on each side of the net and between the non-volley line and baseline.
- Service Courts: Draw lines on both sides of the centerline.
What Else Should You Pay Attention To When Building A Pickleball Court?
Noise
The problem of pickleball noise is beginning to be more widespread. As communities across the country have seen this issue come up, they’ve started complaining and calling for action from local governments in order to put an end to it once and for all!
Location
What kind of light do you want for your site? Will it be shaded or airy, daytime or nighttime? All these factors need to be considered when choosing an orientation! The USAPA says that north is better than south because there’s more natural sunlight eastward in the mornings and west overcast at night time- but what does this mean for YOUR court?
Color For Your Court
This is a design choice that can give your court an element of uniqueness. Make sure that no matter what color you choose, it does not burn into players’ eyeballs even if they are on the court for a long time!
Diy Project Or A Contract With Professional Builder
Is it worth the cost to hire a contractor for refinishing or building your own court?
Since most courts can be installed with an already present pad, fitting one might not seem like such a complicated task. Nonetheless, if you are considering refurbishing and painting new ones from scratch, then definitely have knowledgeable resources who know what they are doing on this project!
Professionals can assure that there are no accidents on-site and guarantee the best result for your court. In the end, you would want to play on a court that’s standardized and suitable for the guidelines for your community’s safety!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Pickleball Court?
The costs for constructing a pickleball court vary differently based on our visions. You can start building one normal home set on the low end, including 4 paddles and balls for about $200 – 400 dollars.
Other sets start at more than double that amount. Like in Bend, Oregon, where you might need to pay up to 300k for a complex complete 8-court with lightning that you can play in the evening or have stadium seating used during tournaments!
Here is a rough sum for you to check out and consider:
- Court/Net Tape – $300
- Court Resurfacing – From $3,500 to $5,000
- Constructing New Court
- Basic (From $10,000 to $15,000)
- Basic (+ lighting & fencing) – From $20,000 to $35,000
- Community Complex 8-Court (only fences) – From $110,000 to $150,000
- Community Complex 8-Court (fences, professional seating, lightings)- $300,000 and over.
No matter the budget you prepared, you can still enjoy pickleball to its fullest for sure!
How Should You Clean Your Pickleball Court?
Molds and mildew thrive in dark areas where there is organic matter. To keep your court clean, vacuum it once a month to pick up any dirt or food that has fallen on the ground as well as from around plants. Wet-cleanse once a year with the diluted detergent solution if needed for stubborn stains.
The acrylic coating prevents fungus growth, so it only happens because someone spills something onto its surface, which feeds these organisms.
Here’s how you take care of mold and fungus growth on acrylic coating: Use a mixture of commercial bleach and water to get rid of mold and fungus. Rub with a soft brush for a few minutes and rinse the spot carefully. It is as simple as that!
How To Repair Cracks On Your Pickleball Court?
There are quite a few ways to treat cracks, depending on how large and deep they are:
- Small “hairline” cracks at 18’’ or less can easily be covered with acrylic paint or simple filler.
- Ready-to-use acrylic crack fillers are available for on-site application. Some mixed with Portland cement and sand, too!
- Full court overlay systems
- Pavement rebuild
- Qualified sports contractors can help you consider your choices to get what is best suited for what you need, so when in doubt, pick up your phone!
What Are The Best Color Combinations For Your Pickleball Court Project?
First and foremost, there is no “wrong” color for a pickleball court. The design is loose like so to allow players to customize to their likings. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Lighter colors will reflect heat from the noon sun, giving you a cooler ground to play on. Likewise, dark colors take in heat, but are more effective at melting snow and thawing ice!
- The color of your ball can help you spot it in the air, so be sure to use one that contrasts with whatever surface it flies over. The best picks for visibility are those on opposite sides of a color wheel – if there’s not quite enough contrast between them then stick with something more saturated or darker like black!
Conclusion
We hope this guide on how to build a pickleball court has been helpful for you, and we look forward to hearing from you! If all of these topics were too difficult, don’t worry. Our team is always available to answer any questions or provide help with your court project. Have a question? Let us know in the comments below!
Further reading:
Outdoor Pickleball Court Construction Instructions
Pickleball, anyone? | Building Design + Construction
If we build indoor courts, will they come?: Pickleball – Reddit
