Sport Court™ Modular Court Tile vs. Poured Acrylic Surface: Why One Outperforms the Other.

Planning a game court these days comes with plenty of options to choose from. The most talked about features of a court are size, desired sports to be played on the court and color. 

The least talked about subject, one that really matters the most, is the safety of the surface. This is for young and elderly alike. You generally here about the traditional poured acrylic surface because it has been the surface of choice for years and years and has become the status quo for outdoor sports floors.  Although those surfaces look really nice when they’re newly installed, they come with plenty of disadvantages that should raise concern.

Left: Acrylic Court after years of neglect. Right: Sport Court™. Same Locations, way different results.

At the top of the disadvantage for Acrylic surfaces Weather Damage. Living here in the northern United States, we experience the extremes in temperature; both hot and cold.  This major fluctuation in temperature can cause excessive cracking and paint chipping.  Because of this, Acrylic Courts need to be resurfaced and maintained as soon as every five years.

The second disadvantage to acrylic courts: Drainage. Typically acrylic courts do not drain naturally so if there are any low spots on the court, which there will be, they become instantly apparent with areas of pooling water. Over time these areas will degrade the quality of the surface and also make for a slippery court.  If not maintained properly, algae or moss can grow on the court causing mold issues which can also cause stains and blemishes on the surface making it less than desirable to look at. 

Now getting to the Most Important characteristic of a court; Safety.  Acrylic courts offer low shock absorption and no lateral forgiveness. They are less forgiving on joints than other surfaces which increase the risk of injury.  Although acrylic courts typically cost less than modular courts to install, they have much higher long-term costs in maintenance and upkeep.

A Modular Sport Court™ tile surface combats all of the aforementioned disadvantages seen with acrylic surfaces.  It is the best choice for your outdoor court.  It’s far superior to acrylic in terms of durability, performance, safety and appearance. 

Durability: Sport Court™ modular surfaces are made from high-quality materials that are designed to withstand heavy use and extreme weather conditions. 

Performance: Sport Court™ modular surfaces provide consistent performance and traction, even in wet conditions.  Acrylic paint can become slippery when wet, making it more dangerous to play on.

Safety:  Sport Court™ tiles are cushioned to reduce the risk of injuries.  They also offer lateral movement so the tiles actually move with the player as they are making a sudden move on the court.  This is called “lateral forgiveness”, which aids in reducing the stress on bones and joints allowing longer play on the court.

Longevity: Sport Court surfaces last years longer than a conventional acrylic painted surface and comes with a 15-year limited warranty.

Appearance:  Sport Court™ surfaces are available in a variety of colors and styles to compliment any court design.  With the considerably low fade rate, you can enjoy the vibrant colors you have chosen for many years to come.  Acrylic paint is typically available in a limited range of colors and will fade over time.

As you can see in the Sport Court™ vs Acrylic Surface, there really is no comparison. You can invest multiple times into an acrylic surface what you would once in a Sport Court™ tile system.