Determining the Location and the Users
There are many different things to plan when making a basketball court before ever purchasing any equipment. The biggest factor in making a basketball court is whether the court will be indoors or outdoors. Determining the location of the court can make it easier to narrow down what types of options are available.
Another determining factor is the intended users of the court. If the court is intended for children or recreational purposes, it will likely be constructed in a much different manner than a court that is intended for higher levels of competition. Higher levels of competition will demand higher quality equipment and more regulations.
Outdoor Courts
Outdoor courts offer a wide selection of options and equipment. Outdoor courts can be as simple as setting up a basketball net in a backyard or as complex as making a full basketball court built to regulations and literally any combination in between.
A court built in a backyard is a completely informal setting. It can be designed and built with complete freedom of choices, regulated only by personal choice and budget. It could be a simple basketball goal system on a driveway or a backboard and hoop attached to a wall on the garage. Home basketball court setups are generally just half court with one basket. Lining the court is not generally a priority, as the boundaries can be defined by the playable area available.
For other outdoor courts that have public uses, there is a decision to be made about the size of the court. The size of the court comes down to whether it is a full court or only a half court that is being made. In most cases a half court is big enough for outdoor use, but if there is enough space available a full court can be built. The materials chosen for the court are weather resistant and tough. This includes asphalt or concrete for the court surface. The basketball goal system is generally made from metal or other sturdy materials that are built to last.
Indoor Courts
Indoor courts are traditionally more rigid in the types of courts created and the equipment used because they are usually built for a combination of recreational and competitive use. Strictly recreational use courts allow more freedom when choosing dimensions and equipment. Indoor courts are almost always full courts regardless of whether they are for recreation or other use.
While the types of flooring can vary somewhat, the traditional choice for flooring is finished hardwood. There are other choices of flooring that are more durable, require less maintenance and cost less but hardwood is the surface most universally used. Once the choice is made on the type of surface to use, lines are usually added to basketball specifications.
Indoor courts most frequently implement tempered glass backboards, but acrylic can be used as a cost effective solution in some cases. Metal backboards are also used, but glass is preferred for competitive basketball leagues.