These are the major types of surfaces commonly used for tennis court construction worldwide. Which types should be considered for your facility? Like most other situations that require a decision between different types of products, the decision on which type of surface is right for any facility will require some degree of compromise.

If your budget were unlimited and there were no functional limitations to its use, maybe you would consider the absolute beauty of natural grass, even though the surface plays very fast and is the most expensive to maintain. However, at the other end of the spectrum, if the court is potentially subjected to the alternate use of skate boards or roller blades, an asphalt court with a durable texture layer and color coating may be the most functionally intelligent compromise.

Consider Function and Use
Cost to build or cost to maintain should not be the first nor only consideration when selecting a tennis court surface. "Function" and "Use" should be the driving considerations to initially determine what are the best, or the only, surfaces.

What are the functional requirements of the players that are going to use the courts? If most players are accustomed to fast-dry or clay court slide, and the new surface is going to be built in a location where watering is impractical, then sand-filled synthetic grass or indoor carpets should lead the evaluation, because slide can be imparted to these types of surfaces.

Cushioned court surfaces are a major trend in the functional requirements of players and facilities worldwide. The acrylic, vinyl and sand filled cushioned surfaces should always be evaluated when site conditions allow cushioned courts.

Limitations or Requirements of the Site
What are the functional limitations or requirements of the site? A major consideration when resurfacing a cracked court is the absolute likelihood that the cracks will reappear. Therefore, surfaces such as vinyl padding, synthetic grass and fast-dry conversions are functional solutions that allow cracked sub-bases to move under the newly applied surface. These are also functional solutions where expansion joints exist, such as roof top locations and reinforced concrete sub bases.

The court surface must also meet the functional requirements that are dictated by the local climate. Does the lack of water or watering restrictions eliminate fast dry, clay or natural grass from consideration? If year round play is desired and an area is subjected to freeze thaw cycles, hardcourts, cushioned surfaces and synthetic grass are the functional surfaces to be considered.

Frequency and Type of Use
Frequency of "use," type of "use" and type of players that will "use" the courts are all elements to be considered when evaluating the life expectancy of the court, amount of routine maintenance required and ease of surface repairs.

After the types of surfaces that meet the "Function" and "Use" criteria have been determined, there are two considerations left in the selection process. Which types can the budget afford and which one will be the best for the players. There are two pieces of advice that can be offered at this point of the decision making process. Never compromise the quality of sub-base preparation to bring a more expensive surface into the overall budget. Always decide in favor of the player and select the best quality of that type of surface.

Selecting branded surfaces that are recognized for quality, and having them applied by qualified contractors, will make you the winner.