If you’re a homeowner looking to invest in your residential court, you may wonder what foundation is the best option.
Whether you have kids that need safe playtime or want extra space for entertaining outdoors, choosing the proper subfloor is critical! You’ll need something with long-term durability, strength and accessibility.
In this blog post, we’ll fill you in on all the essential factors to consider when selecting the perfect residential court floor foundation for your backyard – from materials and surfaces to shape and size.
We’ll also provide some helpful resources so that making an informed decision about which subfloor type works best for you and your family can be quick and easy!
So read on to learn more about building a proper and solid subfloor!
Understand your court’s needs – consider the activities you’ll use it for and the amount of access and activity traffic on it.
When building a court behind your home, understanding your court floor layers is vital. A little planning can go a long way in ensuring that your court subfloor is sturdy and durable enough to withstand years of use.
You should consider what kind of activities you plan to use the court floor for and how much foot traffic it will receive. This information will help you determine what type of court subfloor products you need to install, whether a concrete foundation or a permeable subflooring system.
In addition, it’s important to ensure that site prep is done thoroughly to avoid any unforeseen issues.
Consider the different subfloor options available – permeability vs concrete as the two best options.
Many clients often wonder what the main differences between permeability and concrete are. While there is a cost difference between the permeable and concrete bases, there are a lot of outside factors to consider.
For example, is there backyard access and can a concrete truck get to it? Do you have issues with the permeability of your land? Is having the most shock absorption for your kids’ joints important to you?
At the end of the day, it is 100% the Sport Court owner’s discretion. Both foundations required excavation and a sub-base. There is no need for a permeable or removable subfloor in some areas, and the owners have no plans to remove the court. In these cases, concrete makes sense.
However, increasingly clients choose a permeable subfloor for their Sport Court floor surfaces because the cost is similar and solves water management issues. If there are ground or root issues under your court, our team of certified installers can safely dismantle a portion of your court to fix the ground without occurring an expensive cost.
When it comes to building a court floor foundation, site preparation is everything. And one of the critical factors to consider during your site prep is the type of subfloor material you’ll use. Fortunately, many options exist, including gravel, concrete, asphalt, and brick.
Calculate the cost of each material to determine which is most economical.
Considering the cost is essential if you’re trying to determine which material to use for your next construction project. You want to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money. One way to do that is to calculate the cost of each material you’re considering.
For example, if you’re deciding between concrete and permeable, it’s essential to look at the expense of each. While concrete might seem like the obvious choice, the cost of a permeable base might surprise you.
By taking the time to calculate the cost of concrete vs permeable, you can make an informed decision and ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Consider the condition of your soil and drainage when choosing a foundation.
Choosing a subfloor is a crucial decision for your court. You want to ensure the layers to your foundation are stable and sturdy enough to support your court.
But before you make any decisions, it’s essential to consider the condition of your soil and drainage. If your soil layer is prone to erosion, it could undermine the subfloor layer stability over time.
If your drainage installation isn’t correct or maintained, you could end up with moisture damage that can weaken the subfloor foundation. So be sure to get a professional assessment of your soil and drainage to help you make the best decision for your court’s subfloor.
After all, subfloors are critical to a proper game court system!
Decide whether you need professional help or if you can install the subfloor yourself.
When it comes to installation, it’s essential to consider whether you need professional help or if you can tackle the project yourself. While some tasks are easy enough to take on solo, others may require specialized knowledge or tools best left to the pros.
The good news is that plenty of resources are available to help you make an informed decision, from online tutorials to expert advice from friends and family.
Ultimately, the choice is yours, but by researching and exploring the subfloor options, you can feel confident and get the job done right.
What’s an example of a permeable foundation?
BC Sport Court propriety permeable option is called SportBase. This option is a heavy-duty, easy-to-install, modular sub-base floor system that is designed for outdoor weather-ability, is environmentally friendly and promotes water drainage.
SportBase, and now SportBase II, are the civilian versions of a product designed for and sold to military and large industrial operations.
Traditionally, a court floor would have needed to be installed over a concrete foundation. Concrete is excellent at what it does; it has unsurpassed compression and tensile strength. However, it is permanent, except if removed and dumped at significant expense.
It is hard to fall on. It does not allow water to pass through it, creates water management issues, and is increasingly not permitted by bylaws like most municipalities in the Lower Mainland.
What are the Sportbase benefits?
Permeable
Permeability being issue number one, BC Sport Court has been installing its removable permeable surface all over the lower mainland for almost all of its projects.
Safe
A SportBase foundation technology offers 2 to 3 times the shock absorption of any other outdoor court system. Having SportBase under your game court floor has the highest head-impact rating to help protect against injuries from falls.
High Performance
Having a SportBase subfloor doesn’t mean sacrificing your play. A sport base foundation still offers an outstanding ball bounce for your court while keeping your players safe.
Eco-Friendly
SportBase is made from 100% recycled materials and was specifically engineered to use under a game court floor system. Choosing to install SportBase saves an enormous amount of energy, up to the equivalent of almost a year’s worth of electricity for a medium-sized household.
Does your city have bylaw requirements?
Cities’ bylaws can be complicated, and the requirements for permeable base and landscaping are becoming increasingly important.
The simple solution for Sport Court owners is SportBase. We have been installing SportBase, removable and permeable subfloors in the lower mainland, on most projects for nearly a decade.
Now into the second version of this modern foundation, SportBase II is tested and certified to maintain flow rates even if partially blocked. In addition, SportBase is designed to meet the most stringent environmental standards for permeability and exceed bylaw requirements.
BC Sport Court customer service can help you through the process
When it comes to picking the best subfloor for your residential court, it’s essential to consider all the factors. Think about the type of activities you’ll use your court for and how much foot traffic it will get.
Then consider the budget-friendliness of all materials – permeable and non-permeable surfaces have advantages and disadvantages that depend on your circumstances. Once you’ve decided which subfloor option is suitable for you, consider whether professional help is needed when installing it or if it’s a project within your capability.
It may look like a daunting process, but with careful consideration and proper customer service combined with thoughtful planning, you can create an inviting residential court that will surely envy all your neighbours.
Reach out and contact us when you’re ready to talk about Sport Court options for your backyard!