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Whether you want to build a pickleball court for your local recreation center, a school team or a country club, it’s surprisingly easy to build your own pickleball court.

It’s similar in construction as a tennis court. You’ll need to find a suitable space, choose your pickleball court surface and set up a net.

In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to build a pickleball court and what you need to look out for when designing your pickleball area.

Step 1: Find A Suitable Space And Determine The Size

One of the biggest decision right at the beginning of building a pickleball court is the space that you have available.

A pickleball court is 20×44 feet but you will need to have an area of 30×60 feet available to comfortable walk around the court and set up your lighting.

You may be building a multi-court complex or you are converting a badminton or tennis court to a pickleball court.

Whatever your situation, you will need to adhere to the standard pickleball court dimensions to ensure that you can use the court.

If you have a tennis court and you want to convert this for playing pickleball, then you just divide it into four pickleball courts.

On the other hand, if you are planning to build a multi-court pickleball complex, then you will need to consider the dimensions for a single court on a larger scale with some fencing and walking areas between each court.

The standard pickleball court dimensions for doubles and singles play is 20×44 feet. But you should consider the tournament size of 34×64 feet to allow room for walkways.

Also bear in mind that the typical pickleball net height is 34 inches in the middle and 36 inches at the sidelines. This will have an impact on your chosen net system.

For the specific dimensions and areas of a pickleball court, check out the Pickleball rule book on the website of the International Federation of Pickleball.

Step 2: Pick Your Pickleball Court Surface

If you have an old tennis or badminton court (see also ‘How Many Pickleball Courts Fit On A Tennis Court?‘) that needs a revamp or you want to build an outdoor pickleball court from scratch, you will need to pick a good surface.

There are a few different pickleball court surfaces that you may want to consider.

Plastic

Snap-together plastics is a quick and easy solution which can be added directly over concrete or asphalt.

It’s an ideal surface if you just need a temporary pickleball court or you want to keep the surface underneath intact.

Asphalt

Asphalt is a relatively cheap option for a pickleball court surface but it requires a lot of maintenance.

Concrete

Concrete is one of the most common pickleball surfaces. It’s durable and doesn’t cost as much as some other options.

How To Build A Pickleball Court (1)

Step 3: Select Suitable Perimeter Fencing

Fencing is an essential part of every pickleball court, especially multi-court systems.

Sold perimeter fencing does not just keep the ball in your playing area but it also ensures the safety of spectators and players.

There are a few different types of pickleball court fencing that you can go for.

Saying this, some of the most common fences for this are made more wire.

They allow the audience and players to see into the pickleball court or out of it. Plus, wire fencing also lets a lot of light into the playing area.

When you pick your fencing, make sure that it’s painted with rust-resistant paint or material. This makes the fence more durable and it keeps anyone touching the fence safe from injury.

A contractor will be able to give you detailed advice about fencing for your specific area.

Generally, a pickleball court fence is between 4 feet and 10 feet high.

Step 4: Set Up The Light For Your Court

Lighting is especially important in a pickleball court when it’s getting dark. There are specific regulations for pickleball court lighting.

Pickleball courts need to have at least two 1,500W light piles that light up the playing area.

The poles should be between 18 and 20 feet tall. They should be fixed in the center with a minimum distance of 24 inches away from the sidelines.

Step 5: Buy A Pickleball Net System

Once you decided on your space, lighting, court materials and the surface, you are ready to contact a few professionals for a suitable pickleball net system.

As a rule of thumb, you will need at least two poles, a pickleball net suitable for outdoor use, a ratchet and some sleeves.

This is the basic net setup but you may also want to consider some added extras, such as an electric ratchet.

Step 6: Building A Pickleball Court

When you have all your materials together, you need to contact professional contractors who will put down your court surface and install the net.

It’s a good idea to hire a contract who has some experience with pickleball courts. This will ensure that your court is built according to the correct specifications.

If you are building an outdoor court from scratch, then make sure that the playing area orients South to North.

Outdoor sport courts are always exposed to the weather, which means players also face the glaring sun or dark shadows.

In order to avoid this, it’s essential to place your pickleball court North to South.

All court lines for your pickleball area should be 2 inches wide and painted in white. These include the sidelines, baselines, non-volley line, centerlines and non-volley zones.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to building a pickleball court, you will need to stick to clear specifications.

From the color of painted lines to the dimensions of the court, there are guidelines which you need to follow to ensure that players and audience are safe and enjoy the game.

It can be a good option to a hire a pickleball court contract who has experience with building these types of sports areas.

This can make the building project much easier, less costly and you can also get it done faster.