For all court-based and racket-based games, sports enthusiasts should never overlook some considerations. From proper gear to location to court construction, everything has a significant role in ensuring smooth gameplay.
Padel is just another racket-based court game with elements of both tennis and squash. So, like the two sports, padel’s court construction also matters a lot. Now, there is both indoor and outdoor padel court construction. Although the basics remain the same, there are some marked differences as well. This article provides insights into the key considerations that you should take note of when choosing or constructing your outdoor padel court.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Padel Court?
The entire padel court is composed of the following three basic elements:
- The fences and the steel frame
- The tempered glass walls
- Court’s turf/artificial grass
Let’s now have a deeper look at the key factors that can affect your padel experience in an outdoor-constructed court, which can help in choosing the best one for your gameplay.
1. Accessibility and Location
First and foremost, the court’s location plays a role in deciding where you will go for your next match. A court present in a prime location offers good accessibility, providing sufficient chances to come and enjoy a match whenever you wish for an active sports time. You should go for a place that’s comparatively near to your home or workspace, minimizing the travel time. It also helps avoid the hassle of finding transport to reach your desired workspace.
Consider choosing a padel facility with cafes and restaurants nearby. It’s because the players often desire a good refreshment after a tiring and thrilling match. While there are facilities that offer a cafe space alongside the courts, such as Padel Cafe, there are others that only offer a sports facility and no refreshment space.
2. The Steel Frame Quality
For any player, whether a newbie or a seasoned player, the quality of the steel fence matters. It’s this framework that structures the entire play area, providing it with the desired strength and robustness.
According to international standards, the thickness of the steel wire should be between 1.6mm and 3mm, reaching a maximum of 4mm. The framework should be galvanized to offer weather resistance, which is significant when choosing outdoor courts. Proper finishing with smoothened edges and an epoxy-polyester resin coating is also a plus, adding strength and resilience to the entire structure. Stainless steel threaded rods, washers, and nuts also contribute to ensuring a robust framework.
3. Quality of the Glass
Glass walls are part of the game in Padel, so the quality of the glass should be considered when choosing an outdoor court. The market offers several glass options for court construction:
- Tempered glass with 10mm thickness
- Tempered glass with 12mm thickness
- Laminated glass
The first two options differ only in thickness and produce no sharp-edged shatters or fragments in the event of a break or damage. Similarly, laminated glass also resists shattering and fragmentation. However, compared to the former glass type, this one offers better security and safety for the players on the court.
In addition to these, another premium type of glass is used in the construction of court glass walls. It’s Comfort Glass, a special super-elastic and indestructible acrylic compound that offers maximum safety and significantly reduces the risk of breakage.
Normally, the top three glass types are used in the making of glass walls, and all those offer good security for the players. So, as you opt for your choice of court, just make sure that the walls bear no cracks or fractures.
4. Turf’s Quality (Court’s Artificial Grass)
The quality of the turf is crucial in determining the quality of the game on the court. Make sure that you step onto a court featuring high-quality, durable sports grass. This helps avoid injuries and offers the excitement you seek when playing padel. The turf’s durability adds to its long life and makes maintenance easy.
You can find three types of synthetic turfs in the market:
- Fibrillated
- Textured
- ZeroS
Besides this, some places offer a court surface made of concrete and clay. While they do offer better resilience, their grip and absorption capacity are much less than artificial grass. So, make sure you choose a court featuring quality-based artificial grass flooring.
5. Lighting
Outdoor padel courts have the advantage of receiving ample sunlight during the day, keeping everything visible. However, many sports enthusiasts opt for nighttime play, which suggests the need for proper lighting at the facility.
When choosing a padel court in Lahore, ensure that it offers adequate lighting with uniformity all around the facility. The maximum intensity should be around 300LUX, so you don’t get dazzled during your gameplay and lose the match.
6. Safety Measures
Lastly, you’ve got to make sure that your chosen facility offers good safety measures in case of an injury or emergency. There should be sufficient staff available to cater to the incoming players. Some padel spots even have the facility of changing rooms, showers, and seating areas, allowing players to rest and recharge.
Final Words
Choosing the best outdoor padel court for your next game may seem overwhelming at first. Still, by keeping the above-mentioned considerations in mind and evaluating the overall atmosphere, you can find a venue that meets your needs. Don’t forget to check the facilities offered and feel free to ask others for recommendations. With the above-mentioned tips in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy a thrilling and exciting game of padel in the great outdoors.
“Gather your friends, hit the court, and have an amazing time playing!”
