Is Asphalt or Concrete Basketball Court Better?

Asphalt or Concrete Basketball Court: Which Is Better?

TL;DR: Can't make up your mind if an asphalt or concrete basketball court suits your yard better? Choose concrete mix if you want a court that will last a couple of decades or more, provide a true and consistent ball bounce, and require little maintenance, despite the higher cost and longer wait (up to a month) before you can actually play on it. Choose asphalt if you want to spend less on installation, have the court ready for use in just a couple of days and want a slightly more forgiving surface for people of all ages to play on, but you are willing to re-seal it every three to five years.

If you are hesitating between a concrete and an asphalt court for your basketball game, you need to decide what you value more: the quality surface or the money. A family with a school basketball player will choose concrete to get the real feeling of play, and a family that only wants to play recreationally will be satisfied with asphalt because it is more economical and doesn't hurt joints as concrete does.

What factors should I consider when choosing a court surface?

The surface has an impact on almost everything else. It dictates your budget, timeline, play characteristics, longevity, and maintenance requirements. In other words, it sets the standard for everything else in your project.

Here's one way to look at it:

• Concrete has the feel of a formal court. It is rigid, immobile, and is perfect for a serious professional player who practices free throws every day or the reason that it helps develop muscle memory because it will always provide the same bounce height and speed.

• Asphalt is more forgiving and has a little give to it, making it ideal for the casual player who wants to shoot hoops with his friends on an occasional basis. Due to its elastic structure, it is less stressful for the joints, and therefore, it is best suited for weekend social mixers looking to get in a couple hours of intense play uninterrupted.

If you are looking to build a court that will last you a lifetime, concrete is often a preferred choice due to its longevity and low maintenance. It also allows for more design flexibility than one might think. The surface can be stained to your liking to complement your home or stamped to resemble a more upscale material such as pavers.

What is the total cost of a court, not just the initial outlay?

While it's easy to get caught up thinking about installation costs, this is only a small part of the picture. In order to properly assess value you need to compare installation costs plus a realistic calculation of upkeep and maintenance. It's important to remember that the cheapest initial investment may well prove far more expensive in the long run.

What will installation actually cost me?

That's the big difference between the two materials. Asphalt is generally cheaper to install, costing anywhere from $2 to $5 per square foot. Concrete is pricier, with installation fees ranging from $4 to $8 per square foot. While concrete has a higher price tag, its durability often makes it a more economical option in the long run, especially when taking into account weather conditions in places like Atlanta, where we know Mother Nature can be quite fickle.

Let's see how much a standard half-court would cost to install on both materials, with a general size of 42' x 50', or 2,100 square feet:

• Asphalt half-court: Expect to spend around $4,200 to $10,500. The cost can vary greatly depending on the condition of your yard. If you're lucky enough to have a relatively flat area of land to work with, you could spend considerably less. However, if you have a sloped yard that requires extensive excavation, the cost could be much higher.

• Concrete half-court: Get ready to shell out $8,400 to $16,800 for a half-court. This price range reflects a standard 4" thickness of concrete. If you're looking for something more durable and reinforced with rebar, the cost could be closer to six inches thick.

Bear in mind that these prices only include the site preparation, base materials, and pavers. Line painting, sealcoating, and any additional equipment like a basketball hoop would be priced separately for either material.

How much will I have to spend on maintenance in the future?

This is the part where concrete really shines in terms of value. Concrete is more expensive to install initially, but it requires almost no maintenance after that. The same is not true for asphalt. Asphalt requires sealcoating every 3-5 years, and it can prematurely age and degrade if not properly sealed and maintained.

In other words, concrete becomes cheaper after fifteen years, though the difference between initial installation costs of the two surfaces is not as significant. Extend the time frame to twenty or twenty-five years, and repeated sealant renewals on asphalt can make concrete look like a much better investment.

This rough estimate of the costs of maintaining a half court for 15 years should give you an idea.

Asphalt over 15 years

• Sealing in yr 4: $850

• Sealing in yr 8: $950

• Sealing in yr 12: $1,050

• Total: Approx $2,850

Concrete over 15 years

• Mostly just cleaning and filling the occasional small crack

• A DIY crack filler kit costs $20 to $50

• A professional fixing a few small cracks costs $200 to $400

• Total: around $300 to $600

How does gameplay actually feel different on each surface?

Choosing a surface is more than just a material. It's about how your game will feel when you're dribbling up and down the court, taking jump shots, and getting up for defensive stands. It's also about how your body will be feeling after an hour or so of play.

Why do serious players prefer concrete?

Because when playing on a concrete surface you can get the best bounce from the ball. It doesn't take any energy away from it which means the ball will bounce quicker and harder. So the players won't have to think about how the ball will react when they are dribbling. They can just practice their ball handling skills knowing that the ball is going to come back to them the same way each time. This will help the young athletes develop a good muscle memory from the repeated motion of dribbling and crossing over.

The only downside is that it takes a lot of energy out of your joints leaving you tired after a game.

What could make playing on asphalt more comfortable?

There is a small degree of elasticity in asphalt that comes from its composition consisting of rock and an adhesive element. This flexibility takes away some of the impact with each step, making it easy on the joints, especially for recreational players or those who have experienced joint problems.

The drawback here is a reduced and less consistent bounce. This may go unnoticed by most recreational players, but not by a competitive one, who would notice the reduction in speed of the ball, especially when using it for a bounce pass.

If high performance is your goal, then go for concrete. Otherwise, asphalt will do just fine.

What extra qualities does an acrylic coating bring to a basketball court?

Whatever base layer you have, applying an acrylic coating transforms the court completely. This is not just regular paint. It's a multi-layered finish which allows you to tweak the performance of your court with almost any base material.

Below listed are some of the benefits it provides:

• Increased traction: Sand added to the coating improves the grip of footwear and allows players to make sharp cuts and pivot movements.

• Additional cushioning: Rubberized coatings laid on top of concrete can provide excellent shock absorption, reducing much of the gap from asphalt significantly. In some cases, up to 9 layers of rubber granules are used.

• Better bounce quality: An acrylic coating evens out the surface of the base material and allows the ball to bounce off more consistently.

• A cooler playing surface: Lighter colors of acrylic coatings absorb less heat than asphalt or concrete surfaces. They can be up to 15 to 20 degrees cooler than asphalt on hot days.

How are these surfaces affected by weather conditions?

A combination of brutal heat and severe cold, along with torrential rains, takes a toll on the surface material itself, and concrete and asphalt are nowhere near each other when it comes to resisting the elements.

And although both can be durable and long lasting, concrete driveways and concrete patios tend to last the longest, often a good 20 or more years, and sometimes even 30 or more. So when it comes to the elements, it's not the weather that defeats concrete, it's the ground below.

Why exactly do concrete surfaces crack?

The primary reason is ground movement. The settling or shifting of soil or the upward pressure of tree roots from underneath can put pressure on the surface which cannot bend or adapt, and hence, cause cracking. If left like that, the water seeps through and undermines the foundation causing more trouble than just a small crack. However, most of these problems can be solved. One technique is slab jacking, which lifts and levels the subsided surface without having to replace the whole slab.

Why does asphalt deteriorate more quickly?

On average, asphalt needs resurfacing between 10 and 15 years since its installation, due primarily to sun exposure and moisture. The binder in asphalt deteriorates due to exposure to UV rays, which is known as oxidation. Oxidation changes the color of asphalt from black to gray and makes it fragile and susceptible to cracking. This is one of the reasons why regular sealcoating is so crucial and is done every three to five years.

How would these materials stand up to a sunny yard versus a shady one?

A sunny yard (no shade)

Asphalt will heat up and oxidize rapidly without periodic sealcoating, causing unsightly bare spots and cracks to appear in five to seven years or so. Pavement will get very hot, but the sun won't hurt it.

A shady yard (next to trees)

Asphalt won't oxidize as much, but poor drainage will undermine many asphalt driveways, causing depressions or "birdbaths". Concrete's big threat comes from beneath in the form of tree roots that cause slabs to rise or roll, inch by inch, over years or even decades.

What does the installation process look like?

The process of transforming your empty patch of yard into a finished court consists of multiple steps, and skipping or rushing through any of them will lead to disastrous results. Any kind of surface, concrete included, is installed in much the same way – the site is prepared, graded, and a sub-base is installed before the actual work begins. And the actual work can be postponed for as long as the sub-base is properly prepared.

That is where the real master-stroke of the installation comes in, and where your money is well spent. Anyone can lay asphalt or concrete, but only an expert knows how the proper preparation of the ground will affect how long the court will stay in good condition after a decade has passed since its opening.

What happens during site preparation?

Site prep is actually the first real work that is performed on the job, and it involves much more than simply removing grass. The grounds crew will clear all grass, rocks, roots and topsoil to a depth that exposes hardpan or subsoil that will provide a solid base free of soft areas or patches of grass that could lead to uneven settling. Following this, if it is determined that the underlying soil is too loose or sandy to hold its shape and not prone to retain too much water, it as well may be excavated.

Finally, the ground is excavated to a depth that allows for proper installation of the sub base below in addition to the finished court surface so that the finished surface is in ground level, not above or below. On sloped or highly uneven yards this process can also create a building pad by either digging down into a slope or bring in imported soil to build up a level yard. This is the most critical part of any tennis court construction or renovation job and getting it right is the key to everything else that follows.

What is grading?

Well, this step in the process is actually pretty important. Grading is the step where we make the court slightly sloped (instead of absolutely perfectly smooth and flat) and it's crucial that it is done correctly in order to ensure that any rain that might fall doesn't ruin the playing surface. You see, if you have an absolutely flat court there is no way for water to drain away from the surface and the only place for it to go is down into the ground itself. This leads to a slick playing surface temporarily until such time as the water has evaporated or soaked into the ground. In the meantime it can find its way into cracks in the surface and weaken spots in the base or accelerate the deterioration of the surface of choice, whether it be concrete or asphalt.

This is why we make the court slightly sloped so that any excess water will drain away from the surface. The slope on a court is usually about a 1% grade which is one inch for every ten feet of court. That's nothing to scoff at because on a 94 foot long court that means there is almost a ten inch difference between the two ends! There's barely any noticeable slope to the court, so much so that anyone watching or playing on the court would think it was perfectly flat, but the ball will still roll to the lower end because of gravity and the slope was built in at just the right amount to be perfectly imperceptible. And getting the grade right is an important step because it is extremely hard to address grading and drainage issues after the surface has been put in place and is ready to play on.

What is a sub-base and why is it so important?

A sub-base is a 4-6 inches layer of compacted gravel or crusher run placed under the final surface layer. Since it's the skeleton of the court, a good sub-base will achieve three goals:

• Even distribution of the court's weight, preventing it from sinking or shifting

• Drainage of excess water, rather than pooling it up and freezing it

• Creating a perfectly level surface to lay concrete/asphalt on

Lack of attention to the process or rushing it is probably the number one reason for cracking or shifting of courts within just a couple of years. One example of poor workmanship is using dirt instead of proper aggregate. Having dirt or loose soil as a sub-base will cause your court to settle and sink.

How much time before the court will be ready to use?

One of the most significant advantages that asphalt has over concrete is the time needed for it to be playable.

Asphalt is a quick-acting material. After laying and compacting, it only needs to cool down, so it is ready for light play and marking in 2-3 days. Concrete requires more time and cannot be loaded for a while. Sure, a concrete surface can be walked on after 1-2 days. However, it needs 28 days to fully cure and reach its optimal strength. Keep in mind that playing on freshly poured concrete or trying to do any installations like a basket system before it can result in permanent structural damage to the court. So, this 28-day waiting period has to be built into your project schedule when considering a concrete court.

How do I decide which surface is best for my family?

Choosing between the materials doesn't have anything to do with which one is best. It's all about choosing the material that suits your family's needs.

If you have an athletic kid: Concrete is the way to go. The consistency of its bounce makes it perfect for developing skills and its longevity ensures that it can withstand years of hard work.

If you want to create a multi-surface family friendly court where soccer, flag football, and ultimate frisbee are all on the table so it becomes an entertainment venue for your whole family: Asphalt is a great choice because of its lower cost and softer landing, making it easier on kids and providing more flexibility in activities that can take place there.

If budget is a concern and you want to get the most value per dollar right now: Asphalt is still the material for you. However, make sure to plan for periodic sealcoating every three to five years to preserve that investment.

How do I find a good contractor for the job?

Now that you have the material to build your dream court, you need to select the crew that will install it correctly because it doesn't matter how good the materials are if the work is done incorrectly.

These are a few things you may want to do before hiring someone:

• Request to see the courts they have built, preferably ones they built a few years ago to see if the job was done right;

• Ask them to describe their installation process, a good contractor will be able to walk you through the process and give you specifics on their work; and lastly,

• Get a detailed quote that will break down the cost of excavation, sub base, material, labor, and any coating or hoop system you want to add on to your court, along with specifics on how thick the gravel is.

More FAQs

Which surface is easier on the knees and ankles?

Asphalt has one big advantage over concrete in that it has a degree of give to it which has a cushioning affect on the joints. However special acrylic coatings have made it possible to get many of the advantages of asphalt on a concrete base. The softer surface is analogous to that of a rubberized surface found in five-star tennis courts.

Can I install the court myself?

A small pad of concrete on which to mount a portable hoop might be possible, but a half or full court is another matter. Getting the slopes for proper drainage, getting the correct sub-base material to allow proper compaction, and finishing a large slab to the consistency needed to allow a smooth game are tasks best left to experienced installers. More often than not, it can cost far more to correct a DIY mistake than to hire an experienced contractor to begin with.

Do I need a permit to build a basketball court for my home?

Generally, yes. Many jurisdictions will require a permit if you're constructing permanent structures or if you install a fence, lighting or a permanent basketball hoop. Check with your local building department to see what requirements apply in your area. A good contractor should know the local codes and can assist you in obtaining any necessary permits.

Is there a best time of year to install a court?

Late spring and early fall are always great times to get your court installed. The weather allows for installation at ideal temperatures while avoiding the hot summer temperatures and freezing winter temperatures. Rainy season can also prevent installation, so having several days of dry weather is always a plus.

How much space do I need for a court?

A half-court requires approximately 2,100 square feet, based on a 42'x50' design. A full court needs twice this amount of space, or about 4,700 square feet, since it is 94 feet long. Many people with limited space build a smaller shooting court and one hoop, which can be as small as 800 to 1,000 square feet.

Does the color of the court coating have a significant impact?

We believe it does. A coating like light blue or light green reflects sun rays and keeps the surface cool on hot days,which is a major factor for places with warm climates. On the other hand, dark colors like dark green would soak in the heat making it uncomfortable to walk on during an afternoon game. The color also has an effect on visibility, as darker colors tend to provide a more contrasting image of the ball against the court.

Can I start with just a half court and finish the other half court later?

It is possible but would be easier to use concrete rather than asphalt. With concrete, you can pour a slab and then connect them together with expansion joints. It would be harder to continue an asphalt surface because it can be hard to match the colors and textures and if you need to replace a section, the new asphalt wouldn't match the old.

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