What installation techniques are used when building an indoor padel court?

Installing an indoor padel court involves several installation techniques: from foundation and steel structure to fitting the glass, artificial turf and LED lighting. The exact approach differs from location to location, but the process always follows a fixed order in which each step lays the basis for the next. In this article we answer the most common questions about building an indoor padel court, from the first spade in the ground to handover.

What steps are involved in building an indoor padel court?

Building an indoor padel court follows a fixed order: first the foundation, then the steel structure, followed by fitting the glass, laying the artificial turf and finally installing the LED lighting. Each component builds on the previous one, so the order cannot simply be reversed.

In practice, the construction process looks like this:

1. Preparation and advice: the location is measured and structurally calculated. Think of the available space, the height of the hall and the load-bearing capacity of the floor.
2. Foundation: depending on the situation, a suitable foundation solution is chosen and laid.
3. Installing the steel structure: the cage structure is assembled on the foundation.
4. Fitting the glass: the glass walls are placed around the court.
5. Laying the artificial turf: the playing surface is laid and finished.
6. Installing the LED lighting: the lighting is fitted and adjusted to the desired light level.
7. Handover and inspection: the court is checked and, if necessary, inspected by a recognised body such as Kiwa ISA Sport.

For an indoor padel court in an existing hall, a separate environmental permit is not always needed, but this depends on the specific situation. If structural changes are made to the hall itself, consulting the municipality is always advisable.

Which foundation techniques are suitable for an indoor padel court?

Three foundation techniques are common for an indoor padel court: drainage concrete, Supersub and ZOAB asphalt. For indoor applications, water drainage plays a smaller role than outdoors, so the choice is mainly determined by the ground conditions, the existing floor and the desired playing comfort.

Drainage concrete is a water-permeable type of concrete with an open structure. Although this property is less relevant for indoor use, drainage concrete offers high stability and load-bearing capacity. It is suitable for locations where the base needs to be extra solid because of the weight of the steel structure and the glass walls.

Supersub is a foundation solution based on foam concrete. This light, self-levelling material provides an extremely flat base and has shock-absorbing properties. The latter is pleasant for players: the floor gives slightly, which reduces the load on joints. For indoor use, the non-water-permeable variant is used. The thickness is usually around 15 cm for new builds, or around 10 cm when renovating an existing floor.

ZOAB asphalt (porous asphalt) is a porous type of asphalt that can also be used indoors in certain situations, although this is less common than the other two options.

All foundation materials used for padel courts must be approved in the Netherlands by Kiwa ISA Sport. It is important to take this into account when choosing materials, so that the court meets the applicable standards for professional use.

How is the steel structure of a padel court installed?

The steel structure of a padel court is assembled on the cured foundation by a specialised installation team. The structure consists of posts, beams and connecting pieces that together form the cage structure. Installing a complete cage structure usually takes two days.

Before assembly, the structure is structurally calculated per location. This means that the specific conditions are taken into account: the dimensions of the hall, any obstacles and the load the structure must be able to carry. For indoor padel courts, wind load plays a smaller role than outdoors, but the structure must still meet the applicable building standards.

An important point of attention is the available space. The minimum installation space for a standard padel court is 21 by 11 metres, with a recommended clear height of at least 6 metres. For a lower hall or non-standard dimensions, custom work is necessary. That calls for a manufacturer that can adapt the structure itself, rather than supplying a standard product that does not fit the location.

How is the glass fitted around a padel court?

The glass around a padel court is fitted in panels in the profiles of the steel structure designed for that purpose. The glass walls are carefully fitted and secured, so that they sit firmly in the structure and meet the safety requirements for sports glass.

The glass used for padel courts is toughened safety glass. If damaged, this type of glass breaks into small, blunt pieces instead of sharp splinters, which considerably increases safety for players. The thickness and type of glass are laid down in the technical standards for padel courts.

When fitting the glass, attention is paid to the accurate alignment of the panels. Small deviations in the structure can mean that the glass does not fit properly or is loaded unevenly. That is why a level and stable steel structure is a precondition for correct glass installation. This is also the reason why the foundation and structure are always completed first, before the glass is fitted.

What is the right method for laying artificial turf on a padel court?

The artificial turf on a padel court is laid on a level, stable base and consists of a padel-specific type of turf that is filled with quartz sand. Laying usually takes one to two days and includes rolling out, gluing, sanding and marking the lines.

The right method for laying artificial turf on a padel court follows these steps:

1. Preparing the base: the foundation is checked for flatness. Unevenness is corrected, because an uneven base directly affects the ball bounce.
2. Rolling out the artificial turf: the rolls are rolled out and cut to size.
3. Gluing the seams: the joins between the rolls are glued to create a seamless playing surface.
4. Sanding: the artificial turf is filled with a layer of quartz sand. This gives the turf the right resilience and ensures the desired ball bounce.
5. Marking the lines: the playing lines are applied in accordance with the official dimensions of a padel court (20 by 10 metres).

It is important to choose artificial turf that has been developed specifically for padel. Not every type of artificial turf is suitable: the fibre structure, the pile height and the sand infill determine the playing quality and the service life of the surface.

How long does it take to install an indoor padel court?

The physical installation of an indoor padel court takes three to four days on average: two days for the cage structure and one to two days for the artificial turf. The total lead time of a project, including production and delivery, averages ten to twelve weeks.

Those ten to twelve weeks consist of several phases. Once the order has been signed, production planning starts. The steel structure is produced, the materials are put together and delivery is scheduled. Only then does the actual assembly on site begin.

Factors that can affect the lead time include the accessibility of the location, the condition of the existing floor and any modifications to the hall. With several courts at the same time, assembly can partly be carried out in parallel, which shortens the total installation time per court.

For commercial locations and sports clubs planning an opening, it is wise to take the total lead time of ten to twelve weeks as a starting point and build in room for unforeseen circumstances.

What does it cost to have an indoor padel court installed?

As an indication, an indoor padel court may be possible turnkey from around €23,000 per court. This includes the steel structure, the glass, the artificial turf, the LED lighting and the full installation. The exact price always depends on the location, the number of courts and the desired specification.

When assessing quotes, it is important to understand exactly what is included in the price. Some providers quote a price for the superstructure only, excluding foundation, artificial turf or lighting. A comparison only makes sense if all quotes cover the same scope.

The following factors determine the final price:

• Type of court: a Pro court and a Panorama court differ in construction and price.
• Number of courts: with several courts, economies of scale arise in production and installation.
• Accessibility of the location: logistical conditions inside the hall affect the installation costs.
• Foundation situation: if the existing floor is suitable, foundation costs can be kept down.
• Extra options: sound-absorbing panels, run-off zones or a specific lighting system are calculated separately.

A common mistake is to look only at the lowest price. In practice, cheaper materials or less experienced installers often lead to higher costs in the long term through faster wear, limited warranty or technical problems. More information about the cost of an indoor padel court helps you make a well-founded comparison.

How I-Padel helps with installing an indoor padel court

We handle the entire installation process of an indoor padel court, from the first structural calculation to handover. Because we produce the steel structure ourselves in our own factory, we have full control over quality, lead time and custom work. That sets us apart from providers who buy everything in and simply pass it on.

What we offer:

• Structural calculation per location, tailored to the specific conditions of your hall.
• In-house production of the steel structure, with no dependence on foreign suppliers.
• Supply and installation of all components: structure, glass, artificial turf and LED lighting.
• Expertise in all foundation types: drainage concrete, Supersub and ZOAB asphalt.
• Optional sound-absorbing panels, structurally integrated into the court.
• 15-year warranty on the steel structure.
• One point of contact, one responsibility, from start to handover.

Want to know what an indoor padel court costs at your location and what the installation process looks like? Request a no-obligation quote and we will be happy to think along with you.

Frequently asked questions