Different Types of Basketball Courts

Where can I put my basketball court?

• Driveway Many people use their existing driveway as their basketball court. This is cheap and convenient. You will usually sacrifice some playing area in one way or another unless you are building your driveway with your basketball court in mind. Most driveways are not wide enough to accommodate a three-point (view basketball court dimensions). You should make sure that you push your basketball hoop back enough to get in a free-throw line in (15 feet from the front of the backboard - visit the court dimension page) because this is where most shots are taken from.
• In-door For those of you with enough cash to build your own in-door court, I'd recommend going ahead and putting in a hardwood floor. Also, when laying out the building make sure to accommodate for large buffers around the edge of the playing area. You could also consider gym style hanging backboards. This will eliminate the concern of a pole placement and make your court more safe.
• Dedicated Backyard Slab For more about installing your own dedicated backyard court click here. If you'd like to hire a professional court building company to install your basketball court click here for more information.

What Kind of Court Surfacing Should I Use?

• Paint Stencil The most popular solution is a do it yourself court key stencil for driveway use. For more about the DIY stencil options visit this page. Basically, you lay the stencil down on your driveway and paint over it. Some include three point lines and others do not. Make sure you know the area it will cover (visit the court dimension page).
• Paint Striping Many people will have a professional come out to stripe the basketball court for them. They will usually tape everything off with masking tape (makes crisp lines) and use a die (not paint) to ensure durability. This service can cost anywhere between $500.00 and $2,000.00 depending on the company, how large the court is and if you need custom work like logos done.
• Paint Surfacing You can find these companies by looking for tennis court builders. They will usually not advertise themselves as basketball court companies. They will completely cover your court with paint and can even apply several layers with rubber beads for cushioning. This service directly competes with the modular tile court surfacing companies.
• Modular Tile Court Surfacing This is the most popular surfacing right now. It basically consists of plastic tiles that snap together. It is supposed to add cushioning and withstand the elements/play more readily than paint. For more information on modular suspended tiles, refer to our professional court builder's page or the DIY court building page.