Tennis Court Construction - Choosing A Surface Type  

Tennis is played on a variety of surfaces including grass, clay, concrete, and many others. Each type of court affects the game style that players should adopt. Each type of court surface also alters the behavior of the ball, the style of the player and some courts require more care than others to remain in good condition.

If you are looking to have a tennis court contractor install a court for you, knowing the pros and cons of the different court surfaces can help you make the best decision for your needs and allows you to budget accordingly for repairs and maintenance.

When choosing the right type of surface for your tennIs court there are three factors to consider - speed, bounce, and ease on players.

• Speed is how much the surface speeds up or slows down the ball after it bounces
  
• Bounce is how high or low the ball bounces after it hits the ground
  
• Ease on players is how hard the surface of the court is on the body of the player

Features: fast pace, soft surface, high maintenance

Grass is the fastest type of court due to its slippery surface. It presents a tricky surface to play tennis on because it is extremely fast with low bounce. Often players will experience unexpected ball bounce on this court.

Even though grass tennis courts are appreciated for their soft surface and fast pace, they are falling in popularity due to their high maintenance. They must regularly be watered and mowed because they are susceptible to damage from each game play. The bounce of the tennis ball changes depending on all these factors, and proper maintenance of a grass court is more difficult and expensive than other courts.

Features: slow pace, high bounce, soft surface, high maintenance

Clay courts are made of hard-packed clay or sand covered by loose clay/sand. Unlike the grass court, because of the grittiness of the clay, it is the slowest surface out there but it also has high bounce and high traction.

Construction of a clay court is less expensive than other types, but maintenance can be time-consuming because the court must be rolled and flattened to eliminate marks and damage from play. The clay's water content is also very important as water keeps the clay court moist, playable and structurally sound. Clay tennis courts are ready for play straight after it rains as the water is quickly absorbed through the surface and into the base.

Features: slow pace, slower bounce, softer surface, high maintenance

Har-Tru courts are made of ancient Precambrian metabasalt which is found in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. It is a natural green stone that is extremely hard and angular. Thanks to the qualities of the stone, the result is a porous, quick-drying court surface that is easy to maintain and doesn't form water pools in light rain.

The granular Har-Tru surface acts as a shock-absorbing cushion, making it easier on players' ankles and knees. This type of court retains moisture and breathes during the hottest days of summer allowing the surface to remain cooler than hard courts. Har-Tru is an ideal playing surface and offers much easier maintenance and repair than other clay court types.

Features: hard surface, medium-fast pace, low maintenance

Hard tennis courts are the most common and most popular choice. Hard courts are made out of a concrete or asphalt base that is coated with an acrylic coating system. This type of court surface is the most commonly available as it’s easy to maintain and is considered a suitable surface for all types of tennis players.

On the hard court, the ball travels at speed faster than it would on a clay court but slower than on a grass court. The bounce of the ball is high and very predictable as the surface is very flat. Hard court maintenance is straightforward, including pressure washing, brushing, re-painting, anti-algae treatments, and other techniques.

At R.S. Site and Sports, we offer many tennis court servicesincluding repairs or resurfacing existing courts, and installation of new courts. Our tennis court contractors are here to help you make the right decision based on your requirements when it comes to a new tennis court. Interested in learning more? Contact us today ! We proudly serve Long Island, NY & all surrounding areas.