The Complete Guide to Pickleball Court Construction

Pickleball has been around since the mid-1960s, but the sport of pickleball has recently been taking the world by storm as it grows in popularity and is becoming one of the fastest-growing sports. The game ties together elements of ping-pong, badminton, and tennis.

Pickleball can be played indoors and outdoors on a pickleball court that is the size of the one that is used in badminton. A modified tennis net is also used to play.

If you’re an avid player and want to learn what goes into pickleball court construction, we’ve got you covered. Some people look to build their own backyard courts while others look to add them to recreation centers. Whichever is the case, you want to make sure whatever pickleball courts are being built are keeping surface, color, drainage, and other considerations in mind.

From the court surface to the size and everything else in between, our pickleball court construction experts are here to provide you know everything you need to build a new pickleball court.

How To Build A Pickleball Court

While you may be tempted to make your outdoor pickleball court a DIY project, it’s best to leave it to the professionals if you want it done right. As we go down the list of all the things you need to consider when building a brand-new court, you’ll realize that making your pickleball court takes a lot of time and effort. This is why so many people trust North State Resurfacing for pickleball court construction and installation.

Here are the factors to keep in mind as you think about building your new outdoor pickleball court.

Pickleball Court Dimensions

If you want to play the game right, you’ll need a court that has the right pickleball court dimensions. Some people may think that these are the same as tennis courts, but they are smaller than tennis courts. Still, you’re going to need plenty of space.

A USA pickleball association-approved court will have the following dimensions:

• Pickleball Court Dimensions: 20 by 44 feet, for both singles and doubles play
• Pickleball Net Height: 36 inches at the sidelines, 34 inches in the middle
• Pickleball Playing Area: 30 by 60 feet is the standard, but 34 by 64 feet is preferable for tournament play or a standalone pickleball court.

Those are the dimensions needed for a single court. If you are looking to build multiple courts, you’ll need more space. For example, if you are planning to build four pickleball courts at a recreation center, you’ll need roughly the same amount of space as a tennis court would provide.

If the space you’re considering for your pickleball court can’t accommodate those dimensions, you’ll want to scope out a new area with more open space.

Pickleball Court Layout

As you look at what goes into constructing pickleball courts, you’ll want to know what goes into the pickleball court layout. There are a variety of lines to consider.

• Baselines sit parallel to the net at the end of the court.
• Sidelines run the length of the court.
• Non-volley zone (NVZ) is the area on either side of the net bound in by a line parallel to and 7 feet from the net and two sidelines.
• The Centerline extends down the center from the baselines to the NVZ and divides the court.
• The Service area is located beyond the NVZ on either side of the centerline.

Pickleball Court Surfaces

Once you have a better idea of the space you have to work with for your outdoor pickleball court, you need to think of the pickleball court surface you’ll be playing on.

Pickleball court surfaces include:

• Concrete
• Asphalt
• Plastic Tiles

Concrete is one of the most popular surface types for outdoor pickleball courts. This is because concrete is affordable and durable. Once the surface is laid out, all that needs to be done is to grade it for proper drainage and paint it.

Asphalt is another affordable choice for outdoor courts. If the land quality is good, all that needs to be done is to put down a layer of concrete and spray it on top. But there is more upkeep needed with asphalt compared to concrete.

Some people opt for plastic tiles for their surface, but this is more expensive than asphalt or concrete.

How Long Does A Pickleball Court Surface Last?

Just as with anything, a pickleball court surface is going to need TLC after some use. The exact time your outdoor pickleball court will need attention is going to depend on weather conditions and how often it’s used.

Generally speaking, a pickleball court will need attention every five years. This is when you want to consider pickleball court resurfacing. Resurfacing will prevent you from slipping or falling on the pickleball court surface. If your court is used very frequently, you may need to resurface it sooner.

Pickleball Court Colors & Lines

Once you have the pickleball court dimensions determined as well as the court surface, you can start thinking about court color coatings.

Choosing the court color coatings is one of the most fun parts of building an outdoor pickleball court. You can have some fun with this one, but remember, it’s often a good idea to choose a color that contrasts the color of the pickleball. Pickleballs are generally yellow, orange, or lime green. So, if the ball is yellow, a blue court color would be a good choice.

Some people also like to use stencils and other graphics to make their outdoor pickleball court stand out! When it comes to the lines on your pickleball court, the official rules state that they should be 2 inches wide and the same color, contrasting with the color of the playing surface.

Check out Northstate’s Pickleball Court Colorizer

Pickleball Court Net Systems

When you’re looking at a pickleball court net system, there are portable net systems and permanent net posts. Each one has its pros and cons depending on what type of net system works best for you.

Portable Net Systems

As the name suggests, portable net systems are not installed into the ground. Some people like the flexibility of taking their net system with them. This is often good for those who just want to have fun and socialize. A portable net system is not meant to remain outside all of the time. You need to take them up and down as needed. This can get tiring, so it’s something to keep in mind.

Permanent Net System

If you choose to get permanent net posts installed, these will remain at the court. When you have permanent net posts installed, it gives your court more of a professional feeling. Since most net systems come with material that can weather the elements, there should be little upkeep. But you’ll want to ensure you can take the nets down during the off-season, so they don’t get ruined.

Also, consider the material of the posts of the permanent nets. Because they are set in asphalt or concrete, they would need to be highly weather resistant.

Pickleball Fencing and Lighting

When you’re talking about the overall construction of your pickleball court, you’ll want to consider fencing and light poles.

If you plan on building a multi-court complex, fencing is going to be a consideration. You may also want to think about fencing if you’re playing somewhere where the balls may end up in a dangerous spot.

You may want to think about fencing if you want the court placed somewhere that you won’t be able to control the flight path of the balls. Fencing also helps for security as well as the safety of spectators.

As you consider fencing for your outdoor courts, you’ll want to keep the size of the pickleball court in mind. It should match the perimeter of your court and be anywhere from four to 10 feet high in size.

While light poles are not necessary, they can be convenient. Lights are a nice touch and make it possible to play pickleball at night. If this is important to you, you’ll want to include light poles in your overall construction.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Pickleball Court?

Several factors are taken into consideration when people ask how much a pickleball court costs. This is going to depend on the following:

• Type of base
• Playing surface
• Other materials
• Net system
• Labor
• Time of construction
• Whether it’s located on land that someone already owns

The cost of a new court can vary greatly. If you have access to your land, you can generally expect to pay between $10,000 and $50,000. That’s a big difference! This is why people often choose a playing surface that is asphalt or concrete to reduce costs. While you want your outdoor court to be functional, you also want it to be affordable.

Can You Play Pickleball On A Tennis Court?

If you have a tennis court surface, you may be wondering if you can play pickleball on it as well. If you’re thinking of converting tennis courts into pickleball courts, you can fit four standard pickleball courts on a tennis court. But the corners need to be square, and it needs to be regulation size (60’x 120′)

Many people look to convert tennis courts into pickleball courts due to the shortage of pickleball courts. Most conversions take up about 50% of the tennis court, but this can vary depending on the layout of the tennis court and how much space is needed for the pickleball net and players. If you want to convert a tennis court into four pickleball courts, you will need to use the entire tennis court.

As you consider converting a tennis court to a pickleball court, you may be wondering if a pickleball will damage the tennis court surface. It’s very unlikely that a pickleball on a tennis court will harm the court surfaces. The court surfaces are built to last and withstand some pretty heavy playing, so there should be no worries there!

Final Thoughts On Building A Pickleball Court

Whether you’re thinking about converting an existing court or looking to construct a new court area, you always want to leave it to the professionals, especially if you want your court to follow USA Pickleball guidelines. This will ensure that they will get the job done right and not forget about things like court lines as well as make sure to leave room for all specifications that a pickleball court needs.

You don’t want to forget the main components of building a pickleball court:

• Dimensions
• Layout
• Pickleball court surface
• Pickleball nets
• Court color
• Fencing and lighting

Time to Resurface? Call North State Today

Give us a call today at (919) 365-7500 or fill out the form below for an estimate. We’re happy to assist you in any way we can. In the meantime, test out your favorite color combos with our interactive tennis court colorizer.