If you love basketball, have you always dreamed of having your own outdoor basketball court? The selection of ground materials is of vital importance when creating such a venue. It is not only about the players’ sports experience, but also involves the durability of the venue and the maintenance cost. However, there are a wide variety of outdoor basketball court ground materials on the market, and the prices vary greatly. How can one choose the ones that are both cheap and practical? Today, let’s talk about this topic together.
Factors influencing the price of ground materials for outdoor basketball courts
The inherent properties of the material
Due to differences in manufacturing processes, raw material costs, etc., the prices of different floor materials naturally vary. For instance, solid wood flooring is often used in high-end indoor basketball courts due to its good texture and elasticity. However, it is easily affected by the climate outdoors and is costly, with the price per square meter possibly reaching several hundred yuan or even higher. Some common outdoor materials, such as acrylic and suspended modular flooring, are relatively affordable. Acrylic materials generally range from tens to over a hundred yuan per square meter. The price of suspended modular flooring is also roughly within this range. The specific price may fluctuate due to brand and quality grade. This is because their raw material sources are extensive, the production process is relatively mature, and thus the cost can be controlled.
Site area and construction difficulty
The size of the site area directly affects the total cost of materials. The larger the area, the more materials are needed, and the total price will naturally be higher. Meanwhile, the construction difficulty cannot be ignored either. If the foundation of the site is uneven, additional ground leveling treatment is required, which will increase labor costs and material usage. For instance, when renovating some old sites, it might be necessary to first remove the original ground, clear away the garbage, and then lay new ground materials. All these additional procedures will increase the overall cost. In contrast, laying ground materials on a newly leveled site has a relatively simple construction process and thus incurs lower costs.
Brand and quality differences
The prices of the same type of floor material from different brands in the market may vary significantly. Well-known brands usually invest more in product research and development and quality control. Their products are more guaranteed in quality and have better performance. For instance, the price of some high-end brand silicon PU materials may be much higher than that of ordinary brands. However, from the perspective of long-term use, high-quality materials have better durability and lower maintenance costs in the later stage, which may actually be more cost-effective. However, some small brands or unbranded materials, although cheap, have uneven quality and may have problems such as poor wear resistance, easy fading and short service life. They may need to be replaced frequently in the later stage, and the overall cost is not low.
Common and inexpensive ground materials for outdoor basketball courts
Acrylic material
Feature: Acrylic material is one of the commonly used ground materials for outdoor basketball courts and is relatively affordable. It has good wear resistance and can withstand a certain period of time and frequency of use. The colors are rich and diverse, and various bright colors can be mixed according to needs, making the basketball court look beautiful and elegant. Moreover, acrylic materials have good weather resistance and can maintain their color for a long time in outdoor environments, and are not prone to fading due to ultraviolet radiation.
Price: The price of acrylic materials is generally around 30 to 120 yuan per square meter. The specific price depends on the quality, thickness of the material and the construction process. For instance, the price of ordinary hard floor acrylic material may range from 30 to 60 yuan per square meter. Elastic acrylic materials, due to their more complex manufacturing process, have relatively higher costs, with prices ranging approximately from 60 to 120 yuan per square meter.
Advantages and disadvantages: In terms of advantages, its construction is relatively simple, and the technical requirements for construction personnel are not particularly high. Generally, construction teams can operate it. Maintenance is also relatively convenient. On a daily basis, just rinse with clean water to keep the site clean and tidy. If there is minor damage to the site, it can also be repainted and renovated on the original surface layer, and there will be no peeling phenomenon. However, acrylic materials also have some disadvantages. It is relatively hard in texture and lacks elasticity. Athletes are prone to abrasions when they fall. Moreover, acrylic materials have high requirements for the site foundation. If the foundation is uneven or cracked, the surface layer is also prone to cracking.
Application scenarios: Due to its affordability, rich colors and other features, acrylic materials are very suitable for places such as schools and communities where the professional requirements for the venue are not particularly high, but the aesthetics and economy of the venue are also emphasized. For instance, in rural schools, the basketball courts have limited budgets. Using acrylic materials can not only meet the daily basketball sports needs of students but also not impose too much economic pressure on the schools.
Suspended assembly floor
Feature: The suspended modular floor is composed of multiple independent floor units, which are connected together by locks or clips. This kind of floor installation is extremely convenient. It doesn’t require professional tools. A few workers can complete the laying of a basketball court in a short time. It adopts a hollowed-out design and has excellent drainage performance. Even on rainy days, the site is not prone to water accumulation and can be put into use quickly after the rain. Moreover, the suspended modular floor can be disassembled and reassembled as needed, and the materials can also be recycled, which is very flexible and convenient.
Price: The price of suspended modular flooring is usually around 50 to 150 yuan per square meter. The price differences are mainly reflected in the material, thickness and brand of the floor. Some high-quality and thick suspended modular floors may cost nearly 150 yuan per square meter. For some ordinary quality ones, the price is approximately 50 to 100 yuan per square meter.
Advantages and disadvantages: Its advantages are quite obvious. Besides being easy to install and having fast drainage, it also has certain anti-slip and shock-absorbing properties, which can protect athletes’ knees to a certain extent. Meanwhile, its environmental friendliness is also good, being non-toxic and harmless. However, the suspended modular floor also has some shortcomings. Its material has relatively weak elasticity. The rebound feeling of a basketball on it is not as good as that of professional basketball court materials. Its anti-slip performance is also slightly inferior to that of silicone PU and acrylic. It is not very suitable for high-intensity and intense basketball games. After long-term use, the floor may age and fade, and the feel underfoot will also deteriorate.
Applicable scenarios: Due to its convenience and economy, suspended modular flooring is often used in basketball courts of kindergartens and primary schools, as well as basketball areas within communities for residents’ leisure and entertainment. In these places, people mainly engage in some simple basketball activities, and the professional requirements for the venue are relatively low. The suspended modular floor can well meet the needs.
Cement floor
Feature: Cement flooring is a traditional and cost-effective choice for outdoor basketball court surfaces. It is highly sturdy and durable, capable of withstanding considerable pressure and frequent use. The construction process is relatively simple. As long as one has basic knowledge of building construction and tools, laying can be carried out. Moreover, cement materials are readily available everywhere and have a relatively low cost.
Price: The cost of cement flooring is relatively low, approximately 20 to 50 yuan per square meter, which includes the cost of raw materials such as cement and sand, as well as labor costs. If one has the construction ability by oneself and only purchases materials, the cost will be lower.
Advantages and disadvantages: The advantages of cement floors are low cost and durability. However, it also has many drawbacks. For instance, its anti-slip performance is average and it can easily cause people to slip in damp conditions. It has poor shock absorption performance. When athletes exercise on it for a long time, their knees and other joints are prone to significant impact. Moreover, the aesthetic appeal of cement floors is insufficient, with a monotonous color. After long-term use, problems such as sanding and cracking may also occur.
Applicable scenarios: Cement floors are suitable for places with low requirements for the venue and very limited budgets, such as simple basketball courts in remote areas or temporary basketball courts. In these places, the primary consideration is to be able to build a basketball court at the lowest cost, and a cement floor can meet this demand.
Clarify the requirements and budget
Before choosing floor materials, it is necessary to determine your own needs and budget first. If it is a professional basketball training court, the requirements for the professionalism and durability of the ground materials are relatively high. It may be necessary to choose materials such as silicon PU that have better performance but are relatively more expensive. At this time, the budget needs to be increased accordingly. However, if it is merely a venue for community residents to relax and have fun, and the professional requirements are not high, then affordable materials such as acrylic and suspended modular flooring can meet the needs, and the budget can also be kept relatively low. Only by clarifying the requirements and budget can materials be selected more specifically, avoiding blindly following the trend to purchase high-priced materials or choosing low-quality products due to the pursuit of low prices.
Compare prices through multiple channels
To find materials with high cost performance, it is necessary to compare prices through multiple channels. You can check the prices of floor materials sold by different merchants through online e-commerce platforms to understand the market situation. At the same time, you can also visit the local building materials market to inspect the quality and price of the materials on the spot, communicate face-to-face with the merchants, and obtain some preferential information. In addition, you can also consult professional sports venue construction companies. They have a good understanding of the prices and performance of various ground materials and can offer reasonable suggestions. By comparing through multiple channels and comprehensively considering factors such as price, quality and after-sales service, choose the most suitable materials for yourself.
Pay attention to promotions and group-buying activities
Some building materials merchants will launch promotional activities from time to time, such as discounts, discounts for reaching certain spending amounts, and free gifts. You can pay attention to these activity information and purchase floor materials during the event period, which can save a lot of money. In addition, group-buying activities can also be organized to purchase materials together with others who have the same needs. When the quantity of group purchases is large, merchants often offer certain price discounts. For instance, when several communities purchase suspended assembly flooring together in a group, by negotiating with the merchants, they might get a lower price than purchasing it separately.
Conclusion
When choosing cheap and practical ground materials for outdoor basketball courts, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the material properties, factors influencing the price, and one’s own needs. Acrylic materials are rich in color, affordable but relatively hard. The suspended modular floor is easy to install and has good drainage, but its elasticity and anti-slip performance are slightly inferior. Cement floors are economical and durable, but they have shortcomings in terms of appearance and performance. By clarifying the requirements and budget, comparing prices through multiple channels, and paying attention to promotional activities, you can select suitable materials within a limited budget, build a satisfactory outdoor basketball court, and fully enjoy the joy brought by basketball.
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