Anyone who wants to turn their lawn into a grass tennis court can usually do so without a great deal of expense. So long as you have sufficient room and a flat area of grass, the only things you will need to do is to use a heavy roller to keep the surface playable, to install a net and to mark out the court. However, it is not so easy when it comes to the construction of clay, concrete or hard resin courts. This is why modern tennis court construction is not a cheap as people might think. However, as soon as you realise exactly how much goes into constructing one, you will understand the value for money they truly afford. So, what goes on in a typical tennis court construction process?

1. Earthworks and Excavation

To begin with, many tennis courts will need extensive groundworks to be completed before they can begin in earnest. In some cases, this will mean digging down half a metre or so so that the substrate for the court will be correctly anchored. Some hilly locations may need further earthworks to happen and even the construction of a retaining wall to prevent the possibility of landslips in future.

2. Provide a Substrate

Once the excavation works have been carried out, a geotextile membrane will be laid down to prevent anything growing up through the court and to improve drainage. Some courts will have a dedicated drainage system installed at this point, as well. The next step is to build up to the playing surface with a sub-base that is usually made from the same sort of high-quality hardcore that might be used in road building, for example.

3. Installing the Playing Surface

The next step is to install the type of playing surface that the customer wants. At this point, it is possible to choose any type of surface from natural grass to concrete. There are cost implications for different types of court surfaces, but the more expensive ones tend to have fewer maintenance costs. This means there is usually a pay-off when spending a little more at this point.

4. Finishing Touches

The final stage in any tennis court construction project is to mark out the court, to colour it in the case of artificial surfaces and to install other equipment. This might include tennis court lighting rigs, for example, as well as an enclosure that prevents balls from being lost when the court is in use.