Basketball Court Surfaces
Most professional and collegiate basketball games are done on hardwood basketball courts. This not only has a smooth surface, but it also provides a consistent bounce. The hardwood court is what you can say as the prime type of basketball court surface. However, not every basketball court shares the same type of playing surfaces. The surface of a basketball court depends mostly on its location (indoor or outdoor) and, of course, budget.
Types of Basketball Court Surfaces
Hardwood Court
The hardwood court is the most popular type of surface for indoor basketball. All professional and collegiate leagues use hardwood court for their basketball games. The floor is usually made of hard maple which is a dense wood with fine fibers which makes it resistant to splintering. The tightly packed grains of the wood also results in a smooth surface which leaves no room for dirt and grime to hide. This gives it particularly exceptional durability while requiring very little maintenance. Hardwood courts are not suitable for the outdoors as the rain and sun can damage or warp the surface of the wood.
Concrete Court
These are the popular types of surfaces for outdoor basketball courts. In fact, nearly all who play basketball starts playing on concrete or asphalt court. Community parks use these materials for their basketball courts due to their strength and durability as well as the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Multi-Sport Court
There are some manufacturers who produce multi-purpose plastic flooring for basketball courts. The construction of the court starts with a flat polished concrete to give is a sturdy foundation. The plastic modular square flooring is then added to the top surface which easily snaps together giving it its shape and design. The good thing about plastic flooring is that it provides excellent traction while providing a consistent bounce.
Asphalt Court
Asphalt basketball courts: Asphalt is the most common surface for outdoor basketball courts as it is both durable and (relatively) affordable. Compared to other surfaces, asphalt courts can do a better job of withstanding the elements and changing weather conditions. Asphalt is a bit softer than concrete (the next most popular outdoor surface) which makes it a bit easier on the players over time. The life of asphalt courts can be extended through regular maintenance, resurfacing and repair.
