Padel, being one of the fastest-growing sports branches in the world, has become a high-potential area for investors and sports clubs. However, a padel tennis courts project is technically much more complex than a standard tennis court. This is because, in a padel court, glass walls and steel meshes are an active part of the game; the ball hits these surfaces, and the game continues. This situation necessitates millimetric assembly precision and high safety standards during the construction process.
As Reform Sports, we manage padel court projects not just as a flooring job but as a steel construction project with static calculations made, resistant to wind loads, and centering on player safety.
In this guide, you will find how a padel court is constructed from design to turnkey delivery, the intricacies of glass assembly, and the technical factors affecting the cost.
How Does the Padel Court Construction Process Start?
The process begins with the analysis of the area where the field will be established and the selection of the correct model. Padel courts are produced in two main models: “Standard” (with metal poles) or “Panoramic” (column-free glass structure that does not cut the viewing angle). At the beginning of the project, the following three basic questions are answered:
- Ground Suitability: A padel court has a heavy steel and glass load. Is the ground hard enough to carry this load? Generally, a C25/30 class concrete infrastructure is required.
- Indoor/Outdoor Decision: Will the court be built in a closed hangar or outdoors? In open fields, wind load calculations change the thickness of steel profiles.
- Measurement Check: A court in international standards has a playing area of 10m x 20m. However, a working margin of at least 0.5 – 1 meter should be left around it for installation. You can examine our padel court dimensions page for detailed technical drawings.
The table below shows the step-by-step operation of a padel court installation at Reform Sports quality:
| Stage | Operation Performed | Time (Estimated) | Critical Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Infrastructure (Concrete) | Pouring of perimeter beam concrete | 5-7 Days | The level must be flawless; glasses are fixed to concrete with steel dowels. |
| 2. Steel Construction | Modular cage and pole assembly | 2-3 Days | Galvanized or electrostatic oven-painted profiles are used against corrosion. |
| 3. Glass Assembly | Placement of tempered glasses | 2 Days | It is the most sensitive stage. 10mm or 12mm tempered glass is used. |
| 4. Ground Laying | Artificial grass and sand fill | 1-2 Days | Silica sand must be brushed homogeneously into the carpet (for ball bounce). |
| 5. Lighting | LED projector and wiring | 1 Day | Asymmetric lens fixtures are selected to avoid glare during the game. |
What Are the Padel Court Construction Stages?
The construction of a padel court is a modular process like combining Lego pieces, but every piece must fit perfectly.
1. Concrete Beam and Ground Preparation
A reinforced concrete beam (hatıl) approximately 30-40 cm wide, where the steel construction will sit, is poured around the field. It is vital for this concrete to be “level”. If the concrete is crooked, the glass panels will not meet each other, and assembly cannot be done.
2. Steel Construction and Wire Mesh
The skeleton of the padel court is steel. Modular steel panels and wire mesh systems prepared in the factory environment are brought to the field and assembled. For open fields, hot-dip galvanization or high-quality oven paint should be preferred against rust.
3. Assembly of Glass Walls (Safety Glass)
The back and side walls of the court consist of “Tempered Glass” resistant to ball impact. Generally, 18 glass panels (each 2m x 3m in size) are used. These glasses are 5 times more durable than normal glass against impact and ensure safety by breaking into small, blunt pieces when broken.
4. Artificial Grass and Silica Sand Application
Synthetic grass carpets produced specifically for padel, usually blue in color, are used in floor coating. After the carpet is laid, special washed and dried silica sand is poured over it. This sand prevents the player from slipping and ensures the ball bounces correctly.
Things to Consider When Building a Padel Court
Some technical details should not be ignored for the investment to be long-lasting and for player comfort. These details also play a determining role in the total padel court cost.
- Glass Thickness: While 10mm glass is used in standard courts, 12mm tempered glass must be preferred in panoramic courts and regions with intense wind.
- Lighting Position: Lights are usually hung at a height of 6 meters. The angle of the projectors should be adjusted so as not to dazzle the player while looking at the ball coming from above (smash).
- Ground Drainage: In open courts, a slope between 0.5% – 1% should be given for rainwater to drain over the concrete. Padel cannot be played on a court that creates puddles.
- International Approval: It is important that the materials used and game rules comply with padel federation (FIP) technical specifications for the facility to organize tournaments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How much area is required for a padel court?
The playing area is net 10×20 meters. However, for installation, player exits, and safe movement area, ideally, an 11×21 meter or wider flat ground is needed.
2. Do padel court glasses break outdoors?
The glasses used in courts are tempered (reinforced) glasses and do not break with ball impact. However, there is a risk of breakage in case of assembly error, metal contact with glass, or impact with a hard object (stone, etc.) from outside. Correct assembly minimizes this risk.
3. Why is there sand on the padel floor?
Silica sand ensures the synthetic grass stands upright and, most importantly, increases friction. Padel is a game involving very sudden stops and turns; if there is no sand, players can get injured, and the ball slides on the ground (without bouncing).
4. What is the difference between Panoramic and Standard courts?
In standard courts, there are metal poles between the glasses. In panoramic courts, the rear glasses are attached to each other with special connection apparatus without metal poles. This provides an uninterrupted view for spectators and TV broadcasts and is a more aesthetic, premium option.
As Reform Sports; we manage the entire process from steel production to ground installation internally and build long-lasting and aesthetic padel courts at international standards. If you want to get technical support for your project, you can contact our expert team.