frequently asked questions.

1. How much room do I need to fit a Sport Court game court in my backyard?

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Sport Court game courts are custom designed to fit not only the available space in your yard, but your family’s lifestyle, interests, and sports activities. So the answer is—we can build a court of almost any size or configuration, and our network of local CourtBuilders™ is the world’s largest and most experienced with over 125,000 projects completed. Why would you trust anyone else to build your family’s dream court?

2. What is the time frame to install a game court?

Depending on the size and scope of your court, your CourtBuilder can have you ‘ready to play’ in a matter of days. Of course, site preparation, concrete placement, and busy schedules—both for your CourtBuilder and your family—can require a little more time and planning. On average, count on about 4–6 weeks from the first time you meet with your CourtBuilder until you’re shooting hoops or playing tennis with your kids.

3. Are there court accessories available for purchase?

Sport Court game courts feature the widest variety and highest quality of components, accessories, and equipment. Depending on your family’s interests, these could include our SlamSystem™ hoops packages, with professional-style tempered glass backboards, lighting systems for night-time play, nets and racquets for tennis, badminton and other sports—virtually everything you would need for years of enjoyment and time together on your court.

4. May I pick more than one color for my game court?

We hope you will! Sport Court game courts offer an almost unlimited number of color options and combinations. Whether it’s your school colors, or just a scheme that will fit your house, yard, or neighborhood, you set the design, and we build the court!

5. Do you offer custom designs on game courts?

Check out our photo galleries for ideas—we’ve done literally tens of thousands of courts, and you can either choose from one of the beautiful designs we’ve done, or sit down and create your own unique look with your CourtBuilder. And for a truly professional finish, we can create special logos of your alma mater, favorite team, or family crest, right on the surface of your court. There will be no question whose court your friends and neighbors are playing on!

6. If the sports surfacing becomes damaged, how difficult is it to replace?

Nothing simpler! Since Sport Court game courts are constructed of durable polypropylene modules, the chance of any damage is slim; but, in the event one or two modules need to be replaced, your CourtBuilder can quickly and easily fix the problem.

7. What does it cost to build a Sport Court game court?

We’ve built small ‘shooting courts’ for as little as $10,000 and multi-sport backyard complexes that might reach six figures. The point is that we can build what you want. Our local CourtBuilders can guide your design to include the features you want most within your budget, so you’ll get the court that is right for you and right for your budget.

8. How do I maintain my Sport Court game court?

Maintenance and care of your Sport Court game court is simple. A broom, blower, or hose can be used to keep the top surface free of debris, and since water drains quickly through the open grid, your court is ready for play soon after cleaning or inclement weather. We recommend that you have your CourtBuilder conduct an annual inspection and cleaning, check and grease components, replace nets and balls if necessary, and power-wash the sub-surface.

9. How long has Sport Court been in business?

Sport Court has been building quality game courts and backyard recreational facilities since 1974. No other company has done it longer, or built more courts—we are the World’s Largest Courtbuilder—and that expertise and experience ensures that your court will be built with the skill and care it deserves.

10. Why is the Sport Court surface important? Can’t I just play on painted concrete?

Many of us grew up playing on a backyard concrete or asphalt slab—and some of us have the scars to prove it! The bottom line here is the safety of your children, and there is no outdoor sports surface that delivers a better combination of shock absorption (protection from injury), ball response, traction, and playability than our PowerGame™ outdoor modular flooring. There are other choices available, but why would you trust the safety of your children to an inferior surface?

11. In what ways are you better than other companies selling the same products?

With almost any purchase you make, you have choices and alternatives, and there are a few other companies who build outdoor courts. Most of them claim to be ‘just as good as Sport Court’ and some will sell inferior products at lower prices. Sport Court is the original brand, with the world’s largest network of experienced CourtBuilders. A game court is an important investment in your family’s health and togetherness—does it make sense to invest in something less than the best for your family?

12. How long will a game court last?

Sport Court game courts are constructed of the highest-quality and most durable materials. Your Sport Court surfacing is covered by a 15-year limited warranty, and we expect it to deliver at least that many years of playability and fun for your family.

13. Is the surface slippery when wet?

Almost any surface—whether grass, artificial turf, or even concrete or 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. Fortunately, 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.

14. Do I need a permit to build a backyard court?

In some communities, you may be required to get certain permits before building your backyard game court. Your local certified CourtBuilder may have experience in working with your municipality or neighborhood, and can help you navigate the required regulations. There may be some restrictions on size, proximity to your property line, drainage, fencing, or lights, but you and your CourtBuilder can work together to manage those requirements.

15. Why do I need a visit from a local CourtBuilder™?

At Sport Court, every court we build is custom designed and installed for you. There are many variables that we must identify when building your court: some projects require excavation or backfill, some communities require special permits, and some places need a retaining wall to secure the court. Our local CourtBuilder’s initial site visit will show us what unique features your backyard may have and help us identify exactly what’s important to you and your family, so we can build the court that fits your needs.

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1. Sports - Consider the sports that you want to play on your court

The answers to these questions will help you determine the right court size for your family's needs:

• How old are your children?
• What sports are they currently involved in?
• What sports do you see them playing in the future?
• Do you play?

On a typical mid-sized multi-purpose game court as many as 15 games can be played. Shifting from one to another is typically very easy and fast. To a large extent, what you play will determine the size of court needed.

If basketball is your family’s primary sport, a 3 point line may be important. At 19 ½ feet from the rim a full 3 point line requires a court at least 25x45 feet to allow a player to shoot from behind the line.

If volleyball or any other “net” sports are important, except full tennis, 30x60 feet allows for full court volleyball. The basketball hoop is often placed in the middle of the 60 foot side and used as the volleyball net post as you can see in this photo:

This configuration allows for half court basketball with full court volleyball and other net sports on the same court.

The court size is all up to you and should be very customizable allowing you to create the best backyard environment possible with a few other considerations:

2. Space - How much space do you have on your property for a backyard court?

We’ve just discussed the space and environment inside a court, now we need to address the space requirements on your property:

• Generally a court cannot be built inside your property’s setback lines
• Setbacks vary by town and zones within each town
• Some towns limit the amount of lot coverage allowed by zone
• Most towns consider non permeable surface as “coverage”
• Many courts are built on asphalt or concrete, not permeable
• Courts cannot be built over septic systems
• Most towns will not allow a court to be built near wetlands
• The largest flattest space will require the least amount of preparation
• The court should be placed far enough from large trees that roots will not be an issue

Other than that you should be able to design and build a fantastic backyard recreation center that your family will enjoy for years. Assuming you can get the appropriate permits from your town.

3. Permits - Does your town require a permit to build your dream court?

Your town may require a permit to build your dream court, so:

• Start early - it will almost always take longer than expected
• Involve your contractor - most will help with the process
• Find your property site or plot plan, it can tell you a lot

4. Contractor - Choosing the right contractor

Building a court is a unique major construction project in your backyard. Choosing the right contractor is critical.

• You cannot afford to use anyone unlicensed or uninsured
• Your contractor should provide you with drawings or plans
• As mentioned above, they should help with permitting process
• Ask to see their work - experience building courts matters
• Ask how many courts they have built
• Ask them if this is their primary business or a sideline
• Check them out

Now that you’ve chosen a court builder here are some things they should discuss with you. If they don’t, it should set off some internal alarms bells.

5. Access - How are they accessing my backyard?

Building a court in your yard is a major construction project therefore access to the space is crucial.

• Most fencing can be taken down and put back up to allow access
• Limited access will limit the equipment that can be used = more labor
• If you are using concrete as your base a pump truck can be used to reach the court from a reasonable distance
• If there is no access there will be more labor as everything will be done by hand

6. Sub Base - How are they preparing the sub base?

The contours of your property will determine the amount of work required to create a large flat area.

• Sod will be stripped away
• Court area will be leveled often with a “cut and fill” meaning dirt will be moved from one end of the court to the other to level
• If there is too much change in elevation from one end to the other a retaining wall may be necessary
• Courts collect and direct a lot of water, drainage must be considered
• Drainage may be required for your permit; it will be installed first
• A crushed stone base of 4” is put down and compacted
• Now you are ready for the base of your court to be built

7. Base - What are they using for a base?

This will create the hard flat surface from which you can build your court.

• Generally built with concrete or asphalt though other options exist
• Concrete done right is permanent and will not require any maintenance
• Asphalt will deteriorate with repeated freeze thaw cycles and at some point will require repair and maintenance
• Compacted base is made by layering smaller and smaller stone and compacting heavily it will be permeable and requires some maintenance
• Modular base - there are two new types of base available that require no concrete or asphalt and are very permeable

8. Athletic Surface - What athletic surfaces can I choose from?

“Let them play on concrete, that’s what we did” is a common refrain. Unfortunately, the more kids, and adults, play on concrete the more injuries in particular to the growth plates and joints.

• Concrete or asphalt can be left with no further surfacing
• Painting the surface looks better but provides no cushioning
• Acrylic’s can be applied to add a very small layer of protection
• A cushioned surface can be applied and layered with acrylic’s however, this option is almost exclusively for tennis use and does not tolerate many other sports
• Modular surfaces offer varying degrees of protection for players. Given their design they are engineered with small “legs” that absorb shock and openings that allow water to pass through and flow off the court

9. Manufacturer - Who is the manufacturer?

Are you dealing with a reputable high quality manufacturer?

• As you move down the list above, manufacturing is more important
• Where is the product made?
• What sort of quality control processes do they have?
• How long have they been in business?
• How many courts do they have installed?
• How do they look after a few years?
• What is their distribution strategy, who sells, installs and repairs?

Quality manufacturer’s offer quality warranties, the last of our Top Tips

10. Warranty - What is the warranty?

Sometimes things can go wrong with any surface, be sure to read the fine print on any warranty to ensure yourself a long happy relationship with your new court.

• Generally there are no warranties on paint
• Acrylic’s may offer some warranty, but not long, as acrylic’s must be reapplied every few years
• Modular offers a range of warranties, often 10 years or more
• Has the manufacturer been in business longer than their warranty period?
• Really, read the fine print regarding warranties

We hope this guide was helpful and a worthwhile use of your time. We look forward to seeing you out playing with your family soon.

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