Outdoor Court Construction

How much space is needed for a pickleball court?

The USA Pickleball Rule Book states that “a total playing surface 30’X60’ is the minimum size that is recommended. A total size of 34’X64’ feet is preferred.”  The actual playing lines measure 20’ x 44’.  Whenever possible, a north-south orientation should be maintained to minimize the angle of the sun in player’s eyes.

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What kind of base is required for a pickleball court?

Asphalt or Concrete both provide an acceptable base for pickleball courts.  Make sure to review surfacing requirements before having the base installed, as there are recommended specifications for slope,  drainage, and surface finish, and overall construction.

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Where can I find experienced pickleball court contractors for court construction and surfacing?

You found the right place!  Right here, GoPickleball.com has a list of licensed, bonded, and insured contractors who are knowledgeable about pickleball courts.  We are your one stop for pickleball construction.

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What are the best color combinations for use on a pickleball court?

There are many colors to choose from, when deciding what colors to use for the pickleball court surface.  No color choices would be “wrong” for a pickleball court, but here are some points to keep in mind:

• Lighter colors will absorb less heat from the sun, resulting in a cooler playing surface.
• Darker colors will absorb more heat from the sun. This will result in a warmer playing area.  However, it will also help to melt snow and evaporate water quicker, which may be a benefit in certain areas.
• Surface colors can have an effect on ball visibility during play. For best results, use a pickleball color that is opposite the surface color on a color wheel (the most contrast between colors).  The human eye will spot the pickleball quicker when it flies over a contrasting surface color.

What kind of coating should be used to surface, or paint, pickleball courts?

• 100% acrylic coatings are recommended for surfacing pickleball, and athletic courts.  When properly applied, 100% acrylic coatings are breathable and allow some vapor transmission, which is especially important on outdoor courts.  This creates the ideal surface texture for non-slip footing, true pickleball bounce, and minimal abrasion and wear on pickleballs.

Is there any difference between indoor and outdoor pickleball court surfaces?

• Indoor and Outdoor pickleball courts are generally the same, from a recommended surface standpoint.  The base is asphalt or concrete, and PickleMaster is ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.  Wood or rubber flooring, as used in many indoor gymnasiums, can also be used as the playing surface.  However, they usually lack any texture and can be slippery, causing the ball to skip low.
  Fences for Courts
  

• Fencing contains the ball within the confines of the court.
• Fencing should be rust-proof and free of protrusions that could injure players.
• Chain link fencing is a cost-effective option that allows for both maximum visibility and light to pass through the fence, but other options include orange construction fencing, or plastic garden fencing.
• The ball is about 65mm so any openings in the fence should be small enough to prevent the ball from leaving the court area. 45mm or 55mm links are recommended.some text
  • Backstopssome text
    • Minimum height of 10 feet, but taller if there are problems associated with the ball leaving the confines.
  • Sidestopssome text
    • Should not be less than 3 feet in height. Minimum height should be the same as the backstop for at least 20 feet from the backstop, with 30 feet being more recommended.
  • Gatessome text
    • Should be present on both ends of the court to allow access, and wide enough to allow for wheelchairs/maintenance equipment.
  • Windbreakssome text
    • Recommended to deflect the wind from interfering with play, while also providing a background against which the ball can be seen.

Lighting for Pickleball

Because of the fast-moving nature of pickleball, lighting is key. Players are required to react quickly, and visibility is essential to gameplay. Ideally, when considering lighting for the court, one should strive to have as much light as the budget affords. Other considerations include:

• Quality of lightsome text
  • Should be uniformly spread throughout the area of play
  • Should adequately render color
  • Glare should be minimized as much as possible by avoiding reflective surfaces and controlling the amount of light on the court
• Sources of lightsome text
  • High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps: last on average 12,000 hours and require a warm-up time of 3-12 minutes but achieve maximum light output
  • LED lighting: Last up to 100,000 hours, costs less, require less maintenance and can be used with dimmers
• Wiringsome text
  • Should be underground if possible, outside of the court area
  • Consider wiring multiple courts separately so each can be operated individually to save costs
• Light poles:some text
  • A minimum distance of 5 feet from the sideline to light poles is recommended, and padding should be considered if they are inside the fence.
  • Should be centered on or immediately outside the fence or court if possible
  • Should not be used as fence posts
  • The bigger the area, the higher the light poles need to be
• Indoor lighting:some text
  • Direct lighting: direct light downward onto the court, but have potential to create glare so positioning and quantity should be considered so participants don’t look directly into them while playing
  • Indirect lighting: aim light upward at highly reflective ceilings, providing very little glare, but also very few shadows, potentially making ball tracking more difficult
  • A combination of the two may be the best option
  • Sources can include LED, HID, and fluorescent, which can last around 40,000 hours and offer low glare with high efficacy

Pickleball Court Accessories & Amenities

• Nets, Posts, Center Straps
• Windscreen, Divider Netting, and other netting
• Sound proofing (Acoustifence/Acoustiblok)
• Court benches
• Shade Shelters
• Power & Water
• Spectator Seating
• Organizers & Ball Holders