Frequently Asked Questions
Hard Court maintenance is very easy. Every fall any leaves or organic material should be removed from the surface (preventing staining from the material decomposing over the winter). Metal shovels and de-ice chemicals or salts should never be used. If the court needs to be washed a garden hose or water-broom is recommended (pressure washers even at a low PSI have enough pressure to tear the surface).
There are a number of surfaces available on the market today. The most common hard court surface found at the majority of local parks is a sanded acrylic over concrete or asphalt. At tennis and country clubs typically they will also have a textured color coating or a cushion surface. The cushion surfaces do not feel soft when you walk on it but help reduce body fatigue. These make it easier to play longer and recover quicker. (more information can be found on our specialty surface page).
To apply a new surface to a court we need to have consistent temperatures of 60 degrees and rising (and not dropping below freezing at night). Because of the small window this creates for surfacing: Our recommendation to contact us in the fall or winter to schedule for the next year. This way your court can be done earlier in the year and you can enjoy it all summer long.
To make an exceptional court, there are only a few changes / additions that can be altered from a standard court. Things to consider: Custom wood fence with black fabric, cushion surface, cabana / shade structure, tennis specific lighting, court color selection, windscreen with logo, and landscaping.
In instances where a total site development or reconstruction is to be done, a landscape architect can offer a total “vision†of the completed project. This can include plantings, irrigation, walls, etc. In instances where a tennis court is to be constructed on an existing landscaped lot, or if the owner has a plan for amenities and plantings, an architect would not be required. Although not required, a soils report prepared by a soils engineer can offer invaluable insight to sub-surface conditions, and recommend procedures to overcome any problems that may lie beneath. We do not generally include this cost in our proposals, but we do recommend that the owner consider such. Problems that may be encountered might be expansive soils, underground springs, or substantial organic materials that may deteriorate. Typically, a property owner has already had this evaluation done when constructing structures on it. We can prepare engineered drawings for permitting and construction, for the tennis court, drains, retaining walls, lighting, etc.
There are a few ways to save money on the construction of a court and still build it right. Galvanized fence costs less than black vinyl, and lower the fence height all the way around the court or just on the sides of the court. There are a number of other ways to save on the design and engineering by using a contractor who can self-perform all work. There are also numerous other ways but each is job specific. So please do not hesitate to give us a call, we can help you solve your problems.
The Certified Tennis Court Builder Program was developed by the ASBA to help raise professional standards and to improve the practice of tennis court construction. Certified court builders (CTCB) have passed a comprehensive exam on tennis court construction and maintenance and fulfilled prescribed standards of experience; have demonstrated a high level of expertise in tennis court construction.