Which technical points are important when building an outdoor padel court?

An outdoor padel court requires more technical preparation than an indoor court. The foundation, the construction of the padel cage, wind load, noise nuisance and permit requirements all play a role, and every location calls for its own approach. This article answers the most frequently asked technical questions about building an outdoor padel court, from foundation types to acoustic studies.

Why is an outdoor padel court technically more complex than an indoor court?

An outdoor padel court is technically more complex than an indoor court because the structure is exposed to the weather, wind load and temperature changes. On top of that come permit requirements, noise nuisance for local residents and a foundation task that depends heavily on the ground conditions. All these factors call for a project-specific approach.

With an indoor court, the cage structure is protected inside a hall. Wind load is negligible, the foundation is simpler and noise nuisance for the surroundings rarely plays a role. Outdoors, that is different. The steel structure must withstand wind forces that can differ greatly per location. A court on open terrain or in a coastal area has to handle considerably more wind load than a court that is partly sheltered by buildings.

In addition, the steel structure must be protected against corrosion for outdoor applications. At I-Padel, all components for outdoor courts are hot-dip galvanised and then finished with a high-quality powder coating. This so-called duplex system combines two protective layers that reinforce each other, resulting in a considerably longer lifespan than with galvanising alone or coating alone. The zinc layer protects the steel against corrosion, while the powder coating protects the zinc layer against UV radiation, wear and weather.

Finally, outdoor projects almost always raise questions about noise and permits. This combination of structural, acoustic and permit-related challenges makes building an outdoor padel court a process that requires more preparation than an indoor project.

Which foundation types are suitable for an outdoor padel court?

Three foundation types are common for an outdoor padel court: drainage concrete, Supersub and ZOAB asphalt. Which type is most suitable depends on the ground conditions, the available budget, the location and the desired lifespan of the court. There is no universally best choice.

Drainage concrete

Drainage concrete is a water-permeable type of concrete in which rainwater drains directly through the foundation into the subsoil. The open structure of the material makes this possible. Drainage concrete has high stability and bearing capacity, is suitable for heavy loads such as the steel structure and glass walls of a padel court, and has an average lifespan of 25 to 40 years when used correctly. For outdoor padel courts, drainage concrete is often combined with a ring foundation with steel reinforcement to absorb the forces of the structure and the wind load effectively.

Supersub

Supersub is a foundation solution based on foam concrete, a light and self-levelling type of concrete that provides a flat and stable base. For outdoor applications a water-permeable variant is used that can handle large amounts of rainfall.

Supersub is shock-absorbing, which contributes to a more comfortable playing experience and less strain on the joints. The thickness for new construction is usually around 15 centimetres, and around 10 centimetres when renovating an existing base. The exact thickness is always determined on the basis of the ground conditions and the project requirements.

ZOAB asphalt

ZOAB asphalt, also known as open-graded asphalt concrete, is a porous asphalt variant that lets water through. This solution is used less often for padel courts, but can be a suitable choice in certain situations, for example when the surroundings or the existing paving call for it. Its applicability depends on the location and the technical conditions.

All foundation components used in the Netherlands must be approved by Kiwa ISA Sport. Working with non-certified materials can lead to non-conformity, which can have consequences for the permit and for the inspection after completion. You can find more information about the build-up and the choice of the right foundation on the page about a padel court including groundwork.

How does wind load affect the structure of an outdoor padel court?

Wind load is one of the most important loads on the steel structure of an outdoor padel court. The force that wind exerts on the structure differs per location and is determined by the wind zone in which the court is placed. Open terrain, a coastal location or a tall building in the immediate surroundings can increase the wind load considerably.

The geographical division into wind zones, in accordance with the applicable standards, determines the design wind load for a specific location. On this basis, the steel profiles, connections, base plates and anchors are calculated and dimensioned for the specific project. A standard structure that has not been calculated for the local wind load does not meet the structural safety requirements.

A particular point of attention arises when sound-absorbing panels or other closed surfaces are added to the structure. Panels reduce the wind permeability of the cage, which increases the wind catch and places a heavier load on the structure. In that case the steel structure must be calculated for the additional wind load and, where necessary, reinforced with heavier posts, additional columns or modified connections. This is a step that must not be skipped, not even when adding panels afterwards to an existing padel cage.

The steel structures of I-Padel are made from S350 structural steel, a steel grade with high strength. Because the structure is produced entirely in-house, columns, connections and other components can be adapted to the project when the location or the chosen noise measures require it. You can find more about structure and wind load on the relevant page.

Which noise measures can be technically integrated into an outdoor padel court?

For an outdoor padel court, several noise measures can be technically integrated, depending on the location, the distance to homes and the results of an acoustic study. The most common solutions are integrated sound-absorbing panels as a source measure and freestanding noise embankments. In some situations a combination of both is the most suitable.

Sound-absorbing panels are placed on the outside of the cage structure. They absorb part of the sound at the source, so that less sound spreads to the surroundings. The panels are built with a core of rock wool, a mineral fibre with an open structure that partly absorbs sound waves because the kinetic energy of air particles is converted into heat. The exact performance depends on the material thickness, density, finish, placement and the frequencies of the sound involved.

During a practical study at LTC Hofgeest in Velserbroek, an indicative noise reduction of around 3 dB(A) was measured for the configuration studied, after correcting for background noise. These results apply only to the situation studied and must not be used as a general performance figure or guarantee for other projects.

A freestanding noise embankment works differently: it is placed next to or around the court and blocks sound towards homes at a greater distance. Noise embankments can be built to heights of 6 to 8 metres and are also possible with a green cladding of climbing plants, which can improve acceptance among municipalities and local residents. You can find more about the available acoustic solutions for padel on the overview page.

Which measure is suitable always depends on the project-specific situation. An independent acoustic consultant determines on the basis of calculations and measurements which approach is needed. I-Padel supplies the technical product specifications, structural data and engineering needed to carry out acoustic calculations correctly, but does not carry out acoustic studies itself.

Do you need a permit for an outdoor padel court?

In almost all cases an environmental permit (omgevingsvergunning) is mandatory for an outdoor padel court. In the Netherlands, a padel court is regarded as a structure and therefore falls under building regulations. Building without a permit is not an option: the municipality can halt the project, impose fines or require the structure to be removed.

A permit is mandatory in any case when the court is placed outdoors, when structural work is carried out, or when noise or lighting affects the surroundings. For locations near residential buildings, additional studies are almost always needed as part of the application.

A permit application for an outdoor padel court usually requires the following documents:

• Structural calculations in accordance with the Building Decree (Bouwbesluit)
• An acoustic study
• A light study
• A site plan
• Possibly an ecological or archaeological study

The processing time of a permit procedure averages 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the municipality and the complexity of the project. Municipalities may impose additional requirements that differ per situation. No guarantees can be given about obtaining a permit. You can find more about applying for a permit for a padel court on the relevant page.

When is an acoustic study mandatory for a padel court?

An acoustic study is not mandatory in every situation, but when homes or other noise-sensitive uses are in the vicinity, the study is almost always part of the permit process. The municipality ultimately determines which studies are necessary.

Padel produces more noise than tennis. The ball hitting glass and steel, combined with the cage structure acting as a resonance box, results in an average sound power level of around 91 dB, which is roughly 10 dB more than with tennis. For a location near homes, an acoustic study is therefore in practice almost always a requirement.

An acoustic study is carried out by an independent specialised firm. The study maps the expected noise level on the surroundings and determines whether additional measures are necessary. The results form the basis for the choice of noise measures and play an important role in the municipality's assessment of the permit application.

I-Padel does not carry out acoustic studies itself. We supply the technical product specifications, structural data and information about available noise measures, so that an acoustic consultant can include them correctly in calculations and reports.

Which material certifications apply to building an outdoor padel court in the Netherlands?

For building an outdoor padel court in the Netherlands, all foundation components must be approved by Kiwa ISA Sport. This is the recognised inspection body for sports floors and foundation materials. Working with non-certified materials can lead to non-conformity, which affects the permit and the official inspection of the court after completion.

For the steel structure, the requirements of the execution class (EXC) in accordance with EN 1090 apply. This classification indicates which quality requirements the production of steel structures must meet. The execution class depends on the type of structure and the loads to which it is exposed.

For outdoor applications, the steel structure is hot-dip galvanised, a protection method in which the steel is fully immersed in liquid zinc at around 450 degrees Celsius. During this process a metallurgical bond forms between steel and zinc, so that the inside of hollow profiles also remains protected for a long time. Combined with a high-quality powder coating, this forms the duplex system that protects the structure against corrosion, UV radiation and weather.

For official matches, an inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport is mandatory after completion. This applies to the court as a whole, including the sports floor. It is wise to check already during the preparation of a project which certification requirements apply, so that material and construction choices can be aligned with them.

Not sure whether outdoor padel is feasible at your location?

We are happy to think along with you about the court configuration, structural preparation and possible noise measures. Together with your acoustic consultant, we look at which solution is technically feasible and suits the project. Get in touch via the page about acoustic solutions for padel for an initial, no-obligation exploration.

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