Which floor types are suitable for building a padel court in an existing hall?

Most existing halls already have a floor, and fortunately in many cases it is suitable for building a padel court. Concrete and asphalt are the most common subfloors and in most situations provide a good base, provided the floor is sufficiently level, stable and load-bearing. In this article we answer the most frequently asked questions about floor types, foundation requirements and what to do if the existing subfloor is not immediately suitable.

What requirements does a padel court place on the subfloor?

A padel court places three basic requirements on the subfloor: sufficient load-bearing capacity, a level surface and a stable structure that shows no settlement. The steel structure, the glass and the load from play together put considerable weight on the floor. Without a solid base, there is a risk of tilting, damage to the structure and an unsafe playing experience.

In concrete terms, this means the following for the subfloor:

• The floor must be level within acceptable tolerances, so that the artificial turf can be laid evenly and the ball bounce is consistent.
• The load-bearing capacity must be sufficient for the steel structure and glass walls, which together can represent a load of several tonnes.
• There must be no active settlement, cracks or unstable zones that could damage the structure over time.
• For indoor locations, drainage plays a smaller role than outdoors, but the floor must not have moisture problems that affect the artificial turf or the structure.

The exact requirements always depend on the location. A structural calculation per location is therefore the right way to determine whether an existing floor is suitable and, if not, which modifications are needed.

Is a concrete floor suitable for a padel court in a hall?

In most cases, a concrete floor is the ideal subfloor for building a padel court in an existing hall. Concrete offers high load-bearing capacity, is stable and forms a level base for both the artificial turf and the steel structure. Provided the floor is in good condition and sufficiently level, a padel court can be built on it directly.

With older concrete floors, it is wise to have the condition of the floor assessed in advance. Cracks, uneven settlement or loose concrete layers can cause problems during installation and later in use. Small irregularities can in many cases be corrected, but this does require good preparation.

Another point of attention is the thickness and strength of the concrete layer. A thin or lightly reinforced floor that was originally laid for light storage or office use may offer insufficient load-bearing capacity for the load of a padel court. Always have this checked before you invest in construction.

For indoor padel courts, concrete is by far the most commonly used and most suitable subfloor. In most sports hall projects, concrete is the standard choice, and rightly so.

Can a padel court be built on asphalt?

Yes, a padel court can be built on an existing asphalt subfloor, but this requires more attention than concrete. Asphalt is more flexible by nature and can deform somewhat at high temperatures. As long as the asphalt layer is stable, level and in good condition, it forms a usable base for a padel court in a hall.

The biggest risk with asphalt is uneven settlement. Asphalt that is many years old or locally damaged can show irregularities that negatively affect the quality of the playing surface. An inspection of the asphalt layer is therefore a sensible first step.

In some situations, a levelling layer is applied on top of the asphalt to guarantee perfect flatness. This is particularly relevant if the existing floor shows slight irregularities that would affect the artificial turf and ball bounce. The choice of a levelling intermediate layer depends on the condition of the asphalt and the desired playing quality.

What do you do if the existing floor is not level enough?

If the existing floor is not level enough for a padel court, several solutions are available. The most commonly used approach is to apply a levelling layer, such as a thin concrete mortar layer or a specialised foundation solution such as Supersub. Supersub is a foundation solution based on foam concrete that is self-levelling and creates a perfectly level subfloor.

Supersub has the added benefit of being shock-absorbing, which contributes to a more comfortable playing experience and less strain on joints. In renovation projects, such as the conversion of a tennis court into a padel court, Supersub is often applied at a thickness of approximately 10 cm. For new construction, this is usually approximately 15 cm. The exact thickness always depends on the situation and the soil conditions.

Besides Supersub, there are other methods to correct an uneven floor:

• Levelling concrete mortar for small differences in height.
• Drainage concrete as an alternative at locations where drainage also plays a role.
• Local repair of damaged zones, followed by a finishing layer.

Which solution is most suitable depends on the degree of unevenness, its cause and the available budget. A site check in advance provides the information needed to make the right choice.

Which floor types are absolutely unsuitable for a padel court?

Not every floor is suitable as a subfloor for a padel court. Floor types that offer insufficient load-bearing capacity, are too flexible or carry active stability risks are unsuitable without major modifications. Think of wooden sports floors, tiled floors and floors with known settlement problems.

In concrete terms, the following situations are problematic:

• Wooden floors: a wooden sports floor is too flexible and offers insufficient load-bearing capacity for the steel structure and the weight of the glass walls. Wood also reacts to changes in moisture, which can lead to deformation and instability.
• Tiled floors: tiles are brittle and are not designed for the point load of a padel court. They can crack or come loose under the structure.
• Floors with active settlement: if a floor is already visibly settling or shows growing cracks, that is a sign that the subsoil is unstable. Without thoroughly addressing the cause, building a padel court is not responsible.
• Floors on poor subsoil: a floor that looks like stable concrete on top but rests on unstable ground such as peat or poor fill can still cause problems. Soil investigations (CPT) provide insight into what lies beneath the floor.

In some cases these problems can be solved, but that always requires a thorough assessment and sometimes considerable modifications before construction can begin.

Does the floor type affect the foundation of the steel structure?

Yes, the floor type directly affects how the steel structure is founded. The steel structure of a padel court is anchored in the subfloor, and how that is done depends on the type of floor, its thickness and the load-bearing capacity of the underlying soil. A solid concrete floor calls for a different approach than a thin asphalt layer or a floor on poor soil.

With a good concrete floor, the anchors of the steel structure can be drilled and fixed directly into the concrete. This is the simplest and most cost-efficient method. With an asphalt subfloor or a floor of limited thickness, it may be necessary to drill deeper or add extra foundation elements to anchor the structure stably.

Wind load also plays a role here. In a closed hall, wind load is lower than outdoors, but the structure must also stand stably indoors and withstand the dynamic forces of the game. A structural calculation per location determines which anchoring is needed and whether the existing floor is sufficient for it.

Want to know the cost of an indoor padel court, including any foundation modifications? That depends heavily on the specific situation at your location.

How I-Padel helps assess your floor and subfloor

We assess every location individually before we issue advice or a quotation. That means we look not only at the court itself, but also at the existing floor, the subfloor and the structural requirements that follow from them. That way you know exactly where you stand before you make a decision.

What we do for you:

• Site check to assess the condition and suitability of the existing floor.
• Structural calculation per location, tailored to the specific subfloor and conditions.
• Advice on the most suitable foundation solution, whether that is a levelling layer, Supersub, drainage concrete or another method.
• Complete realisation of the padel court from A to Z, including all foundation work, steel structure, glass, artificial turf and LED lighting.
• One point of contact, one responsibility and a 15-year warranty on the steel structure.

Want to know whether your hall is suitable for building a padel court? Get in touch for an initial exploration and we will think along with you, no obligation.

Frequently asked questions