If you play tennis regularly, you probably know which surfaces you prefer. But, as tennis court surfaces wear out, they require an increasing amount of maintenance. Racquet facilities, tennis clubs, and schools are faced with deciding whether to maintain the old, upgrade to a new surface, or rebuild whole tennis courts.
American Athletic Track and Turf serves the East Coast and Florida with the award-winning construction of athletic courts, tracks, and playing fields. We can help you choose the right tennis court surface that fits your needs and budget.
Pros and Cons of Different Tennis Court Surfaces
There are four main types of tennis court surfaces. There are costs and benefits to each of them. Here are the highlights:
Natural Grass
Lawn courts are old-fashioned and much beloved. There is a soft quality to feeling grass underfoot and a refreshing smell as players move with the game. These courts evoke the best of summer when it’s possible to play in a natural setting outdoors. Games can be fast, with lower ball bounce. There’s also a greater chance of slipping and falling on wet grass. However, the time necessary to maintain these courts for frequent play is prohibitive and costly.
Clay
Newer clay courts are constructed from crushed brick or synthetic rock. Traditional clay courts still exist; however, they take a long time to dry after rainfall. Clay surfaces can slow down the game, but at the same time enhance ball bounce. They also provide some protection for joints and falls. The maintenance necessary for clay courts can be prohibitive, and they require a sizable amount of water, which is not practical in climates with water shortages.
Hard
These are the asphalt surfaces familiar to those playing tennis in city parks and schoolyards. Usually constructed of concrete and asphalt, an acrylic surface is applied for sealing out moisture and to provide a softer landing. These are fast courts with high ball bounce. Maintenance requirements are minimal and pressure washing can be used for cleaning.
Synthetic Turf
For players who want the feel of grass without constant maintenance, an artificial turf court is an option. These soft courts play can be fast, but ball bounce is usually low. With more padding underfoot, players enjoy less damage to joints. Turf dries faster than natural grass, but brings similar chances of stumbling or tripping during fast volleys.
Consult with an Experienced Builder
American Athletic Track and Turf is a vertically integrated sports construction company. We have over 25 years of experience managing every aspect of athletic facility construction. Our experienced team is American Sports Builder’s Association (ASBA) Certified and will provide an in-depth consultation that considers the size of your facility, current traffic, goals, and budget. We will work with you to design a facility and tennis court surface of your choosing.
Utilize Our SmartBuy Co-Op Purchase Program
Our participation in the SmartBuy Co-op Purchasing Program benefits from multiple cooperative purchasing agencies across the country. This combined purchasing power allows preferential pricing on quality products and materials, including Beynon Sports. Being able to choose the best tennis court surface for the project, rather than having to accept a plan for materials submitted by the lowest bidder, gives schools and clubs more control over project outcomes.
Get Expert Help and Design the Right Tennis Facility
Tennis is an exciting game and players are attracted to the right surface and a nice facility. Enhance your tennis court surface with our repair and maintenance services. Purchase a different surface or design new court facilities from the ground up. What’s more, our construction projects come with warranties for peace of mind.
American Athletic Track and Turf provides services available in Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Florida. Contact us today.
