How to Install an Outdoor Pickleball Court

Pickleball is an increasingly popular sport that combines many elements of other racquet sports such as tennis, badminton and ping pong. It can be played either indoors or outdoors on a badminton-size court with a slightly modified tennis net. Due to its ability to be enjoyed by various ages and skill levels, it has seen a recent surge in popularity.

The smaller court size makes it ideal for installing one outdoors, either commercially or residentially. If you’re interested in installing a court on your property, we’re here to help!

How to Build an Outdoor Pickleball Court

The first step in building your outdoor pickleball court is determining what space you’ll be placing it in. For a standalone court, it’s preferable to have a 34-by-64-foot area available. The court itself is only 44 by 20 feet. However, it needs buffer room on all sides for the players to move around.

After identifying the space where you want to build your court, you’ll have to choose what court surface materials to use. Some of the most common surfaces for pickleball include concrete, asphalt and snap-together plastic.

Another vital thing to consider when building your pickleball court is implementing perimeter fencing. Fencing is easy to forget but essential, as it helps contain the ball in the playing area and provides security for players and spectators. The most common type of fencing is wire fencing because it allows spectators to easily see the court through it.

It’s also a great fencing option for letting light pass through to the court. Each fence should preferably be 10 feet high, but a 4-foot-high fence will work as well if you pad the top.

The net is another crucial aspect of the court you must consider. Pickleball nets stretch across the width of the court, connected by two poles on either side with a ratchet in the middle. The net should be 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high in the middle. Note that it may be easier to buy all components together in a complete pickleball net system rather than getting each element separately.

Once you have everything you need for the court, the last thing you need to do is set it all up. Your court should be facing north-south and not east-west to limit the effects of sunlight exposure that may negatively affect players. You’ll need to correctly outline the baseline, sidelines, non-volley line and centerlines. If you’re creating the pickleball court for a recreation center or school, it may be best to hire a professional contractor to ensure it is correctly built and up to code.

What Is the Surface of an Outdoor Pickleball Court?

Depending on your needs and space availability, you can play pickleball on various surfaces. While it’s traditionally played on a smooth concrete surface covered with a polyurethane or acrylic coating, you can play pickleball on other surfaces like grass, clay or snap-together plastic. Each of these courts has its advantages depending on what you’re looking to get from it.

Acrylic surfaces are great for more competitive play due to their consistency. Typically, these acrylic coatings are reinforced, non-abrasive and suitable for all weather. They also help minimize surface glares, preserve the concrete, offer a consistent bounce for the ball, are safe and have a good grip.

Besides playing pickleball on concrete with an acrylic coating, you may also play it on a multi-sport plastic court. These courts are a great option that provides increased traction, better ball performance and shock absorption. If you have limited space available or are looking to use the court for more than just pickleball, multi-sport courts are an ideal choice.

One of the big advantages of pickleball is its flexibility. Depending on what you want to get out of the game, you can implement a court surface to fit your needs. The surface material can be adjusted to fit whatever you’re looking for, making it great for those who want to use the court for things other than pickleball! There’s no need to feel obligated to make a professional-level court if you’re only looking to play casually. At CBA Sports, we have both acrylic and sport court options available for your outdoor pickleball court.

How Do You Line a Pickleball Court?

The lines are arguably the most important thing when building a pickleball court, as they are the game’s backbone. In total, you will create eight different lines on the court. These lines consist of:

• Two sidelines
• Two baselines
• Two non-volley lines
• Two centerlines

Make sure you have the necessary materials before creating permanent lines. These materials include at least 400 feet of green Frog Tape for stencils, one 25-foot tape measure and one 50- foot tape measure, a pencil marker, line paint and brushes, a drop cloth and painting materials. If you’re looking to create temporary lines, you’ll need half as much tape and won’t need the line paint or painting equipment.

Standard pickleball lines are 2 inches wide. This is important to keep in mind, especially when creating permanent lines.

When you start lining the court, remember it will be 44 by 20 feet. Start by measuring out one 44-foot-long sideline. This first line is what you will use to create the other lines. From here, you can create both baselines at each end of the sideline, each being 20 feet. After creating the baselines, you will have the lines you need to create the second sideline, completing the outer “box” of the court.

After completing the outer box, make temporary marks at 15 feet, 22 feet and 29 feet on the sidelines. The 15- and 29-foot marks will tell you where the non-volley lines will go, while the 22-foot mark signifies the net’s placement. The non-volley lines will stretch from sideline to sideline at those 15- and 29-foot marks.

The last lines that need to be marked are the centerlines. These will go from halfway or 10-feet across each non-volley line back to the baseline. After completing these lines, you should have a total of eight lines that will complete the lining of your pickleball court!

Adding a Pickleball Court to Your Property

Building a backyard pickleball court is an excellent idea for families who are looking for new ways to have fun. Pickleball is a fun sport that people of all skills and ages can enjoy. It can serve as a great way to exercise and compete with friends and family alike, making it a fitting addition to any property. The court’s versatility makes it easy to install in various places such as homes, parks and recreation facilities, schools, sports facilities, hotels, resorts and retirement homes.

Count on CBA Sports for Your Custom Pickleball Court Installation

CBA Sports constructs pickleball courts with quality and precision. We have both traditional acrylic coatings and our SportGame pickleball surface for your court. Our fully licensed and insured team has been working in the industry since 1992 and will bring your court design to life! Contact us online by calling us at 770-797-9990 to tell us more about your project requirements, or fill out our form.