How does a panoramic design affect the structure when building a padel court?

A panoramic design has a direct impact on the steel structure of a padel court. Because the characteristic open glass walls catch more wind than a standard cage structure with mesh, the structure has to be calculated and built to a heavier specification. This applies to new courts as well as to conversion projects. In this article we answer the most frequently asked questions about the structural impact of a panoramic design when building a padel court.

What changes in the steel structure with a panoramic design?

With a panoramic design, the usual mesh sides are replaced by large glass panes, which gives the structure a larger surface area exposed to the wind. This means the steel structure has to be dimensioned more heavily than for a standard Pro court. The posts, beams and connections are adapted to the higher loads that the glass panels create.

In concrete terms, this means heavier profiles are used, the connection points are structurally reinforced, and in many cases the foundation also has to be adapted to the higher forces transferred through the structure. A panoramic court looks lighter and more open, but technically it demands more of the structure than an enclosed cage. This is a misconception we regularly come across in practice when building a padel court.

Moreover, every location requires its own structural calculation. Wind load, soil conditions and the surrounding buildings together determine how the structure has to be built. A standard drawing is not sufficient here.

How does a panoramic design affect the wind load on the structure?

A panoramic design considerably increases the wind load on the steel structure. Where mesh lets most of the wind through, glass acts as a closed surface that takes the full wind pressure. The larger the glass area, the greater the force exerted on the structure in the wind.

The wind load is calculated on the basis of the wind zone of the location, the height of the structure and the surface area exposed to the wind. In the Netherlands, several wind zones are laid down in the building regulations. Locations on the coast, on open terrain or near tall buildings face a higher wind load than locations in built-up areas.

For a panoramic court, this means in practice that the structural engineer takes a higher wind load as the starting point when calculating the profile dimensions, the anchor connections and the foundation load. Anyone who has a panoramic court installed by a company that does not produce a site-specific structural calculation is taking a real safety risk.

What foundation requirements apply to a padel court with a panoramic design?

The foundation of a padel court with a panoramic design must be calculated for the higher forces that the structure transfers. Because the steel structure is heavier and takes more wind load, the forces on the anchor points increase. The foundation has to be structurally matched to this.

For outdoor panoramic courts, a ring foundation combined with a water-permeable sports floor, such as drainage concrete or Supersub, is often chosen. Drainage concrete is a water-permeable type of concrete in which rainwater drains directly through the foundation into the soil. Supersub is a foundation solution based on foam concrete that provides a flat, stable base with good shock-absorbing properties. Both options are suitable, but the choice depends on the soil conditions, the intended use and the budget.

With indoor panoramic courts, water drainage plays a smaller role, but the stability requirements still apply. The anchor points of the structure must be anchored in a foundation that can take the wind load, even if the court is located inside a hall. In the Netherlands, all foundation components must be approved by Kiwa ISA Sport.

Can an existing padel court be converted to a panoramic design?

Converting an existing padel court to a panoramic design is possible in principle, but it always requires a structural reassessment of the steel structure. The existing structure was calculated for the original loads. When mesh sides are replaced by glass panes, the wind load and the distribution of forces change fundamentally.

In practice, this means the existing steel structure may have to be reinforced or partly replaced. The anchor points and the foundation must be reassessed. If the existing foundation has insufficient bearing capacity for the new situation, additional foundation measures are needed.

A conversion is therefore not a simple replacement of materials. It is a structural project that starts with a technical assessment of the current situation. Anyone who skips this and simply fits the glass panes without recalculating the structure risks an unsafe situation. Always have a conversion supervised by a company with its own structural calculation capacity.

What are the structural differences between a standard and a panoramic padel court?

The main structural difference between a standard Pro court and a panoramic court lies in the surface area exposed to the wind and the associated profile weight. A standard Pro court has mesh sides that let most of the wind through, so the structural load remains relatively low. A panoramic court has large glass surfaces that take the full wind pressure.

Standard Pro court

The steel structure of a standard Pro court is calculated for a combination of mesh and glass. The mesh sides result in a lower wind load, which means lighter profiles can be used. This generally makes the Pro court slightly cheaper to build than a panoramic variant.

Panoramic court

A panoramic court uses heavier profiles, stronger connections and more heavily founded anchor points. Despite the open and light appearance of the design, the structure is technically more robust and requires more material. This also explains why the price of a panoramic court is generally slightly higher than that of a comparable Pro court. More information about the cost of a padel court helps you make a well-founded choice.

How are sound-absorbing panels combined with a panoramic design?

Sound-absorbing panels can be combined with a panoramic design, but this requires extra structural attention. The panels are fixed to the outside of the cage structure and further reduce the wind permeability of the structure. On a panoramic court, which already has a high wind load because of the glass surfaces, the total wind load therefore increases even further.

This means the steel structure has to be recalculated if sound-absorbing panels are added to a panoramic court. The reinforcement generally consists of heavier posts, additional columns or adapted connections. Anyone who installs panels without recalculating the structure is acting in breach of the structural requirements and risks an unsafe situation.

The combination of panoramic glass and sound-absorbing panels is technically feasible and can be an effective solution for locations near residential areas. The panels absorb sound at the source, while the panoramic design provides an open and attractive appearance. However, it must be assessed for each location on which sides panels are installed and how the structure has to be adapted accordingly. Also look at the options for an indoor padel court if noise is a decisive factor in choosing a location.

How I-Padel helps with a panoramic design

We support the entire process of a panoramic padel court, from the first structural calculation through to handover. Because we produce the steel structure entirely ourselves, we can adapt every court to the specific requirements of the location. With a panoramic design, that is not a luxury but a necessity.

What we offer in concrete terms on a panoramic project:

• Site-specific structural calculation, matched to the wind zone and soil conditions
• In-house production of the steel structure, including reinforced profiles and connections where needed
• Advice on the right type of foundation based on the situation on site
• Structural integration of sound-absorbing panels, including recalculation of the structure
• Complete turnkey delivery: groundwork, foundation, structure, glass, artificial turf, LED lighting and installation
• 15-year warranty on the steel structure

A panoramic court calls for a partner who has a technical grip on the entire design, not just on the supply of components. Get in touch for an initial exploration and we will, without obligation, think along with you about the possibilities for your location.

Frequently asked questions