Times they are a changing, especially in the pickleball world. The sports exploding — from pro pickleball taking off to the game being named Americas fastest growing sport. You can find pickleball courts everywhere these days, both outdoors and indoors. While courts are usually drawn the same, not all are built of the same material. These differences raise the questions, what is the best surface for a pickleball court?

What is the Best surface for a pickleball court

The biggest factor in finding the best surface for a pickleball court is whether it is indoor or outdoor. Depending on where you are building, the most common court surfaces are:

Any of the surfaces will do, but each comes with it’s own pros and cons. Regardless of your choice, the most important feature of a pickleball surface is that is flat, so make sure you find level ground.

Sport court pickleball surfaces

Let’s start with the best — sport court is hands down the best option out there for pickleball court surfaces. Designed specifically for pickleballers, it is made of a blend of polyurethane and rubber. This creates a surface that is designed to provide a balance of durability, player comfort, and ball response.

Sport court surfaces have two major things working for them. First off is durability. Designed to withstand heavy use and weather conditions, it can last for many years outdoors with proper maintenance. It is designed to resist fading and chalking, which can help to keep the court looking new for longer. The cherry on top? Sport court doesn’t crack as easily as asphalt or concrete. And if it does, you just have to change out a single tile vs. the whole court.

Another benefit of sport court surface is player comfort and safety. Its softer surface helps to reduce the risk of injury and reduce stress on joints. Additionally, the surface is designed to provide good traction and ball response, which can help to improve playability and accuracy. So in addition to stopping shin splits, it ups your games. Sounds like a win-win, right?

You might of saw this coming, but the downside is cost. Since sport court requires a concrete or asphalt foundation, it is significantly more expensive. This stops a lot of people, but if you can afford it, it’s definitely the best option. It might save you money down the line… and you joints in the short-term. If you’re interested you can find a provider here.

Asphalt

Asphalt pickleball courts might be the most popular choice for outdoor facilities. Not only is it durable, it’s fairly cheap to install. Asphalt is made by mixing aggregate (small stones or gravel) with a binder, usually bitumen, and then compacting it. This creates a hard surface that can withstand heavy use and weather conditions. Asphalt’s durability makes it resistant to cracking and with proper maintenance, it can last many years.

Another upside to the asphalt pickleball court is that it is easy to paint over. Since asphalt is uniform in color and texture, it’s easy to mark the court lines and boundaries and get your court dimensions right.

However, asphalt is not without its problems. One of the downsides is it can be hard on players’ joints. It’s harder and less forgiving than other surfaces like sport court or concrete, which may cause more stress on joints and muscles.

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Concrete

Concrete pickleball court surfaces are another popular choice for outdoor facilities, and they share many similarities with asphalt courts. A concrete mix is made by combining cement, water, and aggregate and then pouring it into a mold. Once it has hardened, it creates a hard surface that is durable and weather-resistant.

It shares the same basic benefits as asphalt — it’s relatively cheap and easy to paint court lines on. With that said, it shares the same downsides on being hard on players joints. The other major downside to concrete is that it is much harder to fix cracks and impossible to resurface.

A smooth court is a good court, so I wouldn’t recommend going with concrete unless you already have the surface poured and are looking to repurpose it. When starting from scratch, you’ll be better off going with asphalt.

Wood courts

A wood pickleball court is an exceptionally good choice for courts due to its natural look and softer surface. They are typically made from maple or another hardwood, and can be laid over a concrete or other type of subfloor. With that said, these courts only work indoors.

One of the key benefits of a wood pickleball court is its softer surface, which can be easier on players’ joints than harder surfaces like concrete or asphalt. The wood surface provides a bit of give and can be more forgiving than other materials, which can help to reduce the risk of injury.

For starters, wood pickleball courts are beautiful. They have a natural look, can add warmth and character to a facility, and they complement other wood elements in the building like exposed beams or natural wood finishes. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, the softer surface is easier on the joints and more forgiving than it’s outdoor counter parts.

But wood courts have one major flaw — they get slippery when wet. With players sweating or spilling water, you run the risk of making hazards that spike the risk of injury. The porous nature of wood can also absorb moisture, and lead to warping or rotting, but if you properly seal it, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Wrap up

Pickleball court surfaces really come down to your budget and where you are building. While concrete and asphalt are great cheaper alternatives, splurging for sport court is your best bet. If you’re building a court at home, maybe you can get your neighbors to throw some cash in exchange for access. Just a thought.