Installing a tennis court seems like a very complex affair, especially once you consider the different types of turf there are. In fact, the presence of a tennis court in a home is a pointer to the home’s overall expense and this is why most people shy away from investing in such a grand endeavour only for it not to be used as much. In this article, we debunk the notion that tennis courts are a preserve for the wealthy by examining the types of tennis courts available and the cost implications.
Factors to Consider before Building a Residential Tennis Court
Zoning Restrictions
Residential areas have strict zoning rules and restrictions that determine what structure or renovations you can have on your property. These HOA rules can affect your determination to build a tennis court in your home. The purpose of this kind of limitation is to lessen the likelihood of water drainage and soil erosion. Though grass courts are becoming increasingly rare, they are still legal in some regions.
Additionally, fencing and lighting codes may prevent you from doing so. Some neighbourhoods prohibit fences beyond a specific height, but you might be able to get away with it if your tennis court is located far enough away from the street that it is hidden from view by the rest of your property. Nighttime tennis games require high illumination, but many people find that distracting, so you may have to construct an unlit court and play solely during the day.
Choose The Right Surface Material
The durability of your court will depend on the surface you choose, as some characters are far more high-maintenance than others, and the expense of installation and upkeep will be significant. Every court surface has a distinct style of play. Zoning regulations may restrict the types of characters you can use.
As soft courts require more time and effort to maintain, a hard court could be preferable if you're short on time. Using Cushion Court, you can construct a state-of-the-art hard court that is still quite soft and pleasant to play on. When resources permit, a Har-Tru clay court is highly recommended.
Remember that different tennis court surfaces call for other installation methods, such as a concrete base, subsurface irrigation, and more. The specific requirements of each surfacing material are detailed on their respective product pages, and professional surface installers are available to answer any questions you may have.
Using heavy gear to excavate and lay the court will yield many superior results regardless of the surfacing type selected. You must guarantee that construction vehicles will have easy access to the court area and to all surrounding areas.
Consider Your Budget
Your tennis court is definitely an investment because it adds to the overall value of your home, and you get to exercise and host people on it. However, you should expect to spend an average of about $45000 on it for the medium-range tennis courts and up to $100000 for high-range ones. Most of these costs arise from permits, lighting, excavation, surfacing, windscreen, backboards, netting etc. Therefore you need to be financially capable not only of installing the surface but to maintain it to the highest standards.
The natural movements beneath the court will also likely shift over time, which is normal due to factors such as rain, drought, tectonic movements, etc. Therefore, constant maintenance is required. The best way to handle maintenance costs is by entering into long-term agreements with your installer to conduct routine checks on your surface to ensure minor issues don’t escalate into bigger ones.
Advantages of Concrete Courts over other Types of Courts
The grass and concrete tennis courts are the most popular as compared to clay or rubber court. Generally, a clay court is the cheapest option as it only requires constant sweeping and watering to keep the ground tight. However, in this comparison, we shall examine the grass court and the concrete court because of their popularity. The grass court is slightly cheaper than the concrete court, but requires constant maintenance.
Installing a grass court starts with excavation and backfilling to ensure the ground is stable and not porous. Porous grounds are more likely to shift and result in bumps, and this is why almost all courts start with excavation and backfilling. Next, you need to plant the correct type of grass and grow it to a good consistency and length. Grass courts requires daily watering and trimming.
A concrete court is slightly expensive at $60000 compared to a grass court at $50000. It requires deficient maintenance as you only need to check for rare cracks. Most people confuse concrete courts with asphalt courts and though they mostly look similar, the asphalt is cheaper but requires slightly more maintenance due to constant cracking.
Even a post-tensioned slab can crack due to shrinkage or develop mild structural cracking, so the problem with asphalt courts isn't so much that they break as the fissures keep getting worse every year. Asphalt courts can have cracks as wide as two or three inches, which is dangerous for players. A post-tensioned slab's main benefit is that it prevents the damage from spreading and keeps it compressed into a thin line.
Over time, asphalt courts can get low spots when the earth or base settles. To prevent settling in this spot, a post-tensioned slab can be used as a bridge. In addition, a concrete court can be built on unsteady ground where costly excavation and base work would be required to sustain an asphalt court.
In conclusion, getting a tennis court for your home is a great idea but it should be planned well in advance and you should ensure you have the capacity to maintain it. Consider your space and the volume of traffic before you make any solid decision, and once you have considered everything, then and only then can you make this investment for your home and health.
