In theory, basketball can be played on any hard surface. Standard asphalt is the most common outdoor basketball court surface. Indoor surfaces range from synthetic materials like PU (polyurethane) to natural materials like hardwood.
In this article, we’ll discuss what kind of flooring is used for basketball.
Professional courts
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the biggest and most famous professional basketball league in the world. They use hardwood maple courts. The NBA uses three companies for their hardwood courts: Horner, Robbins and Connor Sports Flooring. Of these companies, we think Robbins has the outstanding product.
We are a leading UK supplier of Robbins timber floors, so we have seen the quality of the product up close. The hardwood is of exceptional quality and the feel of the court is next-level. These courts are amazing to play on.
General use courts
In gymnasiums and sports centres where basketball is only one sport played on a surface, hardwood is still the preferred choice. However, PU (polyurethane) has become a cheaper alternative. PU feels similar to hardwood in play. The only downside to PU is it isn’t rated as a pro surface and it doesn’t look as good as timber.
Outdoor courts
Standard asphalt is the most common outdoor basketball court surface. Asphalt is cheap, easy to install and lasts several years. This is the material used in urban projects. It delivers great bounce and performance. An alternative to asphalt is concrete. Concrete costs more, but it’s smoother, which some people prefer.
Another option is basketball tiles. These are made from plastic and are installed over a concrete subfloor. The plastic tiles are more forgiving than the subfloor and are safer for children. They can also be removed at a moment’s notice.
Choosing the best flooring for basketball
If money is no object and you want the purest basketball experience, a Robbins timber floor is what you want. Hard maple is a sublime surface to play on.
Outdoor basketball is well-served by asphalt or basketball tiles. The beauty of tiles is you can install them over an old court that has seen better days.
If you have any questions or would like to talk about your next basketball project, give us a call on (0)1706 260 220 and our sports surfaces specialists will help.