How to Choose a Padel Court: 5 Things Every Buyer Should Check

Investing in a padel court is a long-term infrastructure decision. Whether you are building for a private club, a hotel amenity, a residential complex, or a public sports facility, choosing the wrong court type can mean years of maintenance headaches, unhappy players, and missed revenue. This guide walks you through the five key factors that matter most.

1. Glass Type and Certification

The back walls and side panels of a padel court are made of tempered glass, and not all glass is equal. Always specify EN 12150-certified tempered safety glass with a minimum thickness of 12mm. This standard ensures the glass will shatter into small, blunt fragments rather than large shards in the rare event of breakage.

• 10mm glass is cheaper but less rigid — it flexes noticeably under hard ball impact and creates an inconsistent playing surface.
• 12mm glass is the FIP standard and the choice of all serious operators.
• Check that the glass carries a visible CE/EN certification mark etched into the panel, not just a supplier claim.

2. Steel Structure: Galvanization vs. Powder Coat

The structural frame takes the most abuse — UV exposure, rain, humidity, and the constant vibration of ball impacts. There are two corrosion-protection approaches:

• Hot-dip galvanization submerges the entire steel section in molten zinc, creating a bond at the molecular level. Lifespan: 25–40 years outdoors.
• Powder coating alone provides colour and a surface barrier but can chip and corrode at welded joints within 5–7 years in humid or coastal climates.
• The best courts combine both: hot-dip galvanized base steel, then powder-coated for colour and UV resistance.

Always ask for the steel grade specification — Q235B is the industry standard structural grade used in our courts.

3. Artificial Turf: Pile Height and Fibre Type

Padel turf is not the same as football turf. It requires a specific combination of pile height, fibre shape, and silica sand infill to produce the correct ball bounce (between 135 and 145 cm from a 2.54 m drop) and player foot traction.

• Pile height: 12–13mm is the FIP standard for padel. Avoid turf marketed for other sports.
• Fibre shape: Curly monofilament fibres compress and recover predictably, ensuring consistent bounce across the court surface over years of play.
• Infill: Silica quartz sand infill stabilises the fibres and helps regulate surface temperature. Check that infill weight meets the manufacturer specification — under-infilled courts play unevenly.

4. Lighting: Lux Levels and IP Rating

Evening and indoor play require proper LED floodlighting. Poor lighting is one of the most common complaints from club members and the easiest problem to avoid at the build stage.

• Minimum 300 lux for recreational play; 500+ lux for club-level and tournament play (FIP recommendation).
• Use 8 fixtures positioned at the four corner and four midpoint positions for even coverage without shadows.
• IP65 rating is the minimum for outdoor installations — fully dust-tight and protected against water jets.
• LED is the only sensible choice today: 60% lower energy consumption than metal halide, instant on/off, and 50,000-hour lifespan.

5. Court Type: Matching Design to Use Case

The four main court configurations each suit a different operational context:

• Classic (Pillar) Court: Corner pillars support the back glass. Most cost-effective, fastest to install. Ideal for entry-level clubs and schools.
• Panoramic Court: Pillar-free back glass. Premium visual appeal and spectator experience. Best for clubs, hotels, and facilities where aesthetics matter.
• Full Panoramic (360 Vision): Completely open glass on all sides. Maximum visual impact — the court of choice for flagship facilities and tournament venues.
• Roof-Covered Court: Any of the above configurations with a polycarbonate or steel roof. Essential for year-round operation in rainy or very sunny climates.