What You Need to Know to Build Your Own Tennis Court
If you’re thinking of building your own tennis court, you probably have a lot of questions. It’s a good idea to get together as much information as you can before making the decision. These will relate to the amount of space needed, what kinds of playing surfaces are available, whether you will need a fence and of what kind, if you need an architect to help you plan, and how much maintenance the court will need. You will also need to identify a reliable source for tennis court materials like court markers, benches and hopper carts.
Planning your tennis court
For those who’ve been bitten by the tennis bug, it’s quite self-evident. If there’s room, you want a tennis court at home. Or maybe it’s your kids who’ve got the bug. Or you may be making an argument for adding tennis courts to your local park, school or club. In any case, there are plenty of good reasons to build your own tennis court.
Tennis is not only a fun game which also requires skill, concentration and strategy. It’s also one of the best forms of exercise. It can burn about 169 calories in just half an hour for women, and 208 calories in the same time for men. And then there’s the history and the mystique of the game, its traditions, the colorful and skilled players, and the tournaments each with its own character. But there are also some practical considerations you will need to consider, from permits to tennis court materials.
How much room do I need?
The amount of space available will determine if you can build your own tennis court at home. A single court measures 60 feet by 120 feet, with the minimum size required by the International Tennis Federation being 56 feet by 114 feet. For multiple courts, there should ideally be a space of 24 feet between courts, and at a minimum this should be 12 feet. If room is needed for judges, the single court dimensions should be 66 feet by 132 feet.
Once you’re sure you have enough space, the next question is about the kind of surface on which you would like to play. You can choose standard hard or cushioned surfaces or sand-filled turf surfaces. Fences are needed for security and to contain the balls in the playing areas. Fences are usually ten to 12 feet high. They can be chain-link fences or soft fences made of strong netting.
Do you need an architect to design your tennis court?
If you plan to do some landscaping for your tennis court to blend in with your home, you may need to hire an architect or landscaper to design your tennis court. Or you may prefer to do the designs yourself, choosing your own plantings, tennis benches, lighting, etc.
The contractor you hire to build your court will provide the necessary engineering drawings for permitting and construction, with all details about the court, drains, retaining walls, and lighting. The contractor will also provide all tennis court materials for building and for continued maintenance.
A tennis court at home is a lifelong ambition for many people. It’s a sound investment in a game that brings so much pleasure and richness to many lives, while being one of the healthiest forms of exercise. Having all the information you need, from tennis court materials to local permits, will help you make the right decision in this important matter.