What does a padel court with sound-absorbing panels cost?

A padel court with sound-absorbing panels costs on average between €5,000 and €15,000 more than a standard outdoor padel court, depending on the number of panels, their position around the court and the structural adjustments required.

The total investment for a complete outdoor padel court including noise measures therefore starts, as an indication, at around €55,000 to €65,000, where foundation, location and the results of an acoustic study largely determine the final price. The questions below give you a clear picture of what influences the price and when this investment makes sense.

How much more expensive does a padel court become with sound-absorbing panels?

Sound-absorbing panels add an extra cost item to an outdoor padel court, but the additional cost varies greatly per project. As an indication, the panels themselves and the associated structural adjustments together can range from a few thousand euros to more than €15,000 per court. The exact additional cost always depends on the number of panels, the sides on which they are placed and the reinforcement of the steel structure that this requires.

For comparison: a standard outdoor padel court without noise measures costs, as an indication, from around €30,000 for the superstructure, and from around €50,000 including foundation. When sound-absorbing panels are added, this amount increases. The additional cost is not a fixed surcharge, but the result of a project-specific calculation.

What many clients do not realise in advance is that the panels themselves are not the only cost factor. The structure of the padel court must be adjusted to absorb the extra load. That brings us to one of the most important technical aspects of this measure.

What determines the price of sound-absorbing panels on a padel court?

The price of sound-absorbing panels on a padel court is determined by four factors: the number of panels, the position and size of the sides to be treated, the structural reinforcement required and the results of the acoustic study. None of these factors is independent of the others, and together they determine the total investment.

The position of the panels plays a major role. When panels are placed only on the side facing homes, the cost is lower than when several sides or the entire court are fitted with noise measures. The height at which panels are fitted, the lower metres, the upper metres or the full height of the cage, also affects the amount of material and the structural approach.

The location also plays a role. A court on open terrain with a higher wind load requires a different structural design than a court that is partly sheltered. The soil conditions, the distance to homes and the requirements of the municipality are factors that help determine the final configuration and therefore the price.

Finally, the result of an independent acoustic study determines how many and which measures are needed. An acoustic consultant calculates which noise reduction is required to meet the applicable standards. On that basis it is determined whether panels are sufficient, or whether additional measures such as a noise berm are needed. The acoustic solutions for padel that are suitable differ per situation.

What is the difference between sound-absorbing panels and a noise barrier?

Sound-absorbing panels are a source measure: they are attached directly to the cage structure of the padel court and absorb the noise as close as possible to where it originates. A noise barrier or noise berm is a transmission measure: it is a freestanding structure placed next to or around the court that blocks the noise on its way to the surroundings. Both measures work differently, have a different cost price and different spatial consequences.

Sound-absorbing panels as a source measure

Panels are attached to the outside of the mesh of the cage structure. They absorb the noise released when the ball hits glass and mesh, instead of the noise being reflected towards the surroundings. The dynamics of play are preserved and the court remains visually open.

Independent laboratory testing shows sound absorption class A, an absorption value of 0.80 and a sound reduction index of 19 dB. During a practical measurement at LTC Hofgeest, an indicative noise reduction of approximately 3 dB(A) was measured within the configuration studied, after correction for background noise. These results apply only to that specific situation.

An advantage of panels is that they require relatively little space and become a direct part of the structure. They can be applied on one side, on several sides or across the entire court. You can read more about how they work and how they are applied on the page about acoustic panels.

Noise berms as a transmission measure

A noise berm is a freestanding structure placed next to the padel court. Noise berms can be built up to heights of 6 to 8 metres and be tens of metres long. They are effective when noise has to be stopped over a greater distance and when the direction of the noise nuisance is clear. A noise berm requires more space, its own foundation and almost always an environmental permit. The cost is generally higher than with panels alone.

In many situations, a combination of panels and a noise berm is the most effective. The panels reduce the noise at the source, so a noise berm can be built lower. That can limit the cost of the berm and simplify the permit process. Which combination is appropriate depends on the specific site and the results of the acoustic study. You can find more information about freestanding structures on the page about noise berms around padel courts.

Do sound-absorbing panels affect the structure of the padel court?

Yes, sound-absorbing panels have a direct effect on the structure of the padel court. Because the panels cover the mesh partly or entirely, the wind permeability of the cage structure decreases. This means the structure absorbs more wind pressure than a standard open cage structure. The steel structure must be calculated for this and, in most cases, structurally reinforced.

The reinforcement can consist of heavier posts, additional columns or modified connections. Which adjustments are needed depends on the wind zone, the height and position of the panels and the site-specific conditions. This is not an optional step: it is a technical requirement for the structural safety and service life of the court.

We produce the steel structure entirely in-house, which makes it possible to adapt columns, connections, base plates and anchors on a project-specific basis when additional requirements arise from noise measures or a higher wind load. Importers who supply standard courts cannot, in most cases, offer this custom work. You can find more about the technical details of structure and wind load on the relevant page.

For existing courts, the structure must first be assessed before panels can be added. Not every existing cage structure is suitable for the extra load without modifications. A structural engineer or engineer must assess the situation based on the current specifications and the wind zone.

When are sound-absorbing panels mandatory for a padel court?

Sound-absorbing panels are not legally mandatory, but may be necessary to comply with the noise regulations that a municipality sets as part of the environmental permit. Whether panels become mandatory depends on the results of an acoustic study and the requirements the municipality sets for the maximum noise level at surrounding homes.

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 approximately 91 dB. This is about 10 dB more than with tennis. At sites near homes, an acoustic study is almost always mandatory as part of the permit application.

If that study shows that the noise level at surrounding homes is too high, the applicant must demonstrate which measures will be taken to meet the standards. In that case, sound-absorbing panels can become part of the permit conditions. The municipality ultimately decides which measures are sufficient. An acoustic consultant determines which measures are needed at a specific site; we supply the technical product specifications and structural data for this.

You can read more about the permit process and the role of noise studies in it on the page about the permit for a padel court.

Can the cost of sound-absorbing panels be recouped?

The cost of sound-absorbing panels cannot be recouped directly in the traditional sense, but they can make a project that would otherwise not obtain a permit feasible after all. That is the practical value of this investment: without the right noise measures, a site near homes simply cannot be developed. In that case the panels are not an extra cost, but a condition for the entire project.

For commercial operators, an outdoor padel court that can be played on all year round makes a significant contribution to the business case. When noise measures prevent local residents from objecting or the municipality from withdrawing the permit, they also protect the continuity of the operation.

For tennis clubs and sports clubs, a different argument applies. Objections from local residents and lengthy procedures can delay a project for years or block it entirely. A well-substantiated approach with demonstrable noise measures reduces that risk and increases the chance of a smooth permit process.

Whether the investment in sound-absorbing panels is recouped depends on the scale of the project, the form of operation and the extent to which the measures are necessary for the permit. If you are unsure about the feasibility of a site, it is wise to involve an acoustic consultant early in the process and map out the technical options. You can read more about what a complete outdoor padel court costs, including the various cost factors, on the costs page.

Not sure whether outdoor padel is feasible at your site?

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 on acoustic solutions for padel for an initial, no-obligation exploration.

Frequently asked questions