Okay, so I’ve been wanting to build a basketball court in my backyard for, like, forever. Finally decided to just go for it! First thing I had to figure out was the flooring. Man, there are a LOT of options. I started digging around to see what my choices were.

The Search Begins…

I started by, you know, just Googling around. Found a ton of articles and stuff, but honestly, it was kind of overwhelming. So many technical terms! I just wanted something that would work, wouldn’t break the bank, and would last a decent amount of time.

Narrowing Down the Options

I quickly learned there are a few main types of flooring people use for backyard courts:

• Concrete: This seemed like the most basic option. Pretty durable, but I was worried about it being too hard on the knees.
• Asphalt: Similar to concrete, maybe a bit cheaper? But I heard it can crack more easily.
• Modular Tiles: These looked cool! Like big plastic puzzle pieces that snap together. Seemed easy to install, and they come in different colors.
• Wood: This is what the pros use indoors, but it seemed like way too much maintenance for outdoors. Plus, expensive!
• Acrylic : This seems can use for outdoor,and it has so many colors.

Making a Decision (and Some Mistakes!)

At first, I was super tempted by the modular tiles. They just looked so easy! I even ordered a small sample pack to test them out. I laid them out on my patio and tried dribbling a ball. It felt…okay. Not amazing, but okay. The big problem? My backyard isn’t perfectly level. And those tiles? They need a really flat surface.

So, back to the drawing board. I ruled out wood immediately – too much hassle. Asphalt seemed like a gamble with the cracking. Concrete was starting to look like the most practical choice, even if it wasn’t the most exciting.

I called up a few local contractors to get some quotes. One guy came out and took a look at my yard. He actually suggested a concrete base with an acrylic coating on top. Said it would be more durable than just plain concrete and would give it a better bounce and some color,I like the idea that can customize the color!

The Installation Process

I decided to go with the concrete/acrylic combo. The contractor and his crew came in and got to work. First, they had to level the area, which involved digging out some dirt and adding gravel. Then, they poured the concrete and let it cure for a few days.

Watching them pour that concrete was…nerve-wracking! It looked like such a mess, but they knew what they were doing. After it dried, they came back and applied the acrylic coating. I chose a classic blue and red color scheme,it looks very professional.

The Finished Product!

It took about a week and a half from start to finish, but man, it was worth it! The court looks AMAZING. The ball bounces great, it’s not too hard on my joints, and the colors are super vibrant. I’ve been out there shooting hoops every day since it was finished. The kids love it too!

So, if you’re thinking about building a basketball court, definitely do your research on the flooring. Don’t just jump at the first thing that looks easy (like I almost did!). Think about your budget, your yard’s conditions, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do. For me, the concrete with acrylic was the perfect balance of durability, playability, and looks.