Common Questions about Pickleball Court Installation
In case you missed it, pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
Demand for places to play is well ahead of supply. Many of the available pickleball courts are multipurpose ones adapted from tennis courts. There’s a lot of competition for playing time.
Want to help meet the demand by adding a dedicated pickleball court to your commercial facility or large residential property? Let’s take a look at some of the common questions you might have about pickleball court installation.
How Much Room Do You Need for a Pickleball Court?
The official court size is 20 by 44 feet, according to USA Pickleball’s court guidelines.
But practically speaking, you need an area that’s at least 30 feet by 60 feet. And USA Pickleball actually recommends 34 x 64 feet. After all, you want room for the most vigorous pickleball action, right?
Also, keep in mind that your court rectangle should be oriented north to south. That way, no paddler will have the sun right in their eyes.
What Is a Pickleball Court Made of?
Typically, it consists of a hard base with an acrylic surface. Those in the know at USA Pickleball say either asphalt or concrete makes a fine base.
But in Wisconsin, we recommend an asphalt foundation for sport courts including pickleball. It comes with a lower upfront cost than concrete. It’s easier on the knees. And perhaps most importantly, asphalt pavement is better in colder weather — less prone to freeze-thaw cracking and heaving.
Do You Need Lighting?
It’s only a must-have if you want to play at night and don’t already have some broad lighting at your site.
Two fixtures along the length of the court should suffice. But keep in mind that lighting could add thousands to your cost. And you might be restricted by local zoning or homeowners association rules.
What about Noise Reduction?
If you’re at all familiar with the sport, you know pickleball isn’t exactly quiet (especially compared to its cousin tennis).
Some people enjoy the thwack of the plastic ball on the racquet. Others, not so much. You might have heard of some controversy in your community. It’s enough racquet racket that you should be considerate of your neighbors.
Besides not playing into the wee hours, try adding some landscaping around your court. Tall, thick hedges can cut the noise well. It also helps to have enough space that you can go with plenty of setback from adjoining properties.
By the way, you likely don’t need a tall fence around your court to keep the balls in. Just some grassy space will do, because pickleballs won’t fly far or bounce away on the grass.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Pickleball Court?
The process is similar to a typical seven-step asphalt installation and takes a few weeks.
First up is site grading and subbase preparation. These key steps, which ensure a stable foundation and proper drainage, take a couple of days.
Following base prep, we install the strong binder layer. Then it’s time for the top asphalt surface.
That asphalt needs to cure for 2 weeks before we do two coats of the acrylic playing surface. Once that’s cured in another 2 days, you’re ready to play!
How Much Does It Cost?
We end with the trickiest question.
Cost will vary based on a number of factors. These include the lighting, landscaping and amenities you want to include. The most unpredictable part is the condition of the soil where you want to put your court.
One way to know the cost for sure: Request a reliable, free quote from your pickleball court paving partners at Wolf Paving!
