How much does it cost to resurface a tennis court?

If you have an acrylic, asphalt ¹, or concrete tennis court currently installed on your property, then you know that no matter how well you maintain it, it requires resurfacing after a number of years. Resurfacing a tennis court is a necessary process to keep the top of the court in good condition, prevent further damage, and maintain the bounce and ball play you have come to expect.

Resurfacing is a two-phase process. The first phase repairs the damage to the court, and in some cases, the problems that led to that damage. The second phase involves installing the new top surface and restoring your tennis court to its optimal condition.

Costs vary for resurfacing depending on what type of court you have, how much damage it has, and whether you want to upgrade colors, surface texture, or cushioning. The average homeowner pays around $6,000 to resurface a single, asphalt ¹ court in a single color.

Repair phase

Before your tennis court can be given a new surface, it needs to have any issues addressed first. These can include filling and fixing cracks, repairing drainage issues, removing moss, fungus, and other growths from the court, leveling the court, and filling any low areas or depressions.

Both concrete and asphalt ¹ courts are subject to many of these issues, which is why resurfacing needs to be done every few years. Acrylic courts are less prone to cracks, which is why they can go longer between resurfacing, but they still require some repair prior to resurfacing. The repair phase is what makes the costs vary so tremendously in the project. For example, filling a few cracks and resurfacing a court that is in otherwise good condition may cost only $4,000, while filling cracks and fixing the drainage system of a court prior to resurfacing could cost as much as $8,000.

Resurfacing phase

Once the repair phase is completed, the resurfacing phase of the project begins. This is done by applying multiple layers of an acrylic paint that seals the repairs and any micro-cracks, gives the court its texture, resiliency, and bounce, and provides the court with a bright new color. The technique can be used to give the court a variety of looks, including bold colors and different surface textures, as well as additional resiliency if desired. Each layer is applied with a squeegee, which drags the acrylic in a thin layer over the court.

The final stage is to paint in the lines on the court and give it its final edging before rehanging the net and other structures.

Labor

The labor costs of the project are largely driven by the repair phase. On the lowest end, simply recoloring the court and adding only the resurfacing materials still costs around $4,000.

Resurfacing an asphalt court with minor to moderate cracks and no drainage issues costs about $6,000 in total, including the repair of cracks and the application of the surfacing material.

Surface cushioning systems

While a normal tennis court surface has at least some degree of resiliency, many people opt to add a cushioning system when they resurface. Cushioning systems add a layer of rubber particles to the court, which cushions the player’s body and can help reduce stress on the joints ². They are most commonly added to tennis courts but can also be added to some outdoor basketball courts as well.

The cushioning system is applied after the repair work is completed but before the final surface coat. It consists of several layers of rubber-added acrylic, with most systems using five layers. It adds to the cost of the project, driving costs to around $7,500 to $8,000 for courts with minor or moderate repairs.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Mold, moss, and fungus removal

Many courts that develop cracks may have mold, moss, or other types of fungus on their surface and in the cracks. This needs to be cleaned during the repair phase before the cracks can be fixed. Expect this to add up to $1,000 to the costs, depending on the severity of the problem and how much cleaning is needed.

Premium color options

Some surfacing companies off the option for premium colors, such as Tournament Purple or Orange. These can increase the cost of the resurfacing and may add $500 to $1,000 to the final costs.

Adding blended lines for multiple sports

Some people use their tennis courts for multiple sports, such as basketball, as well as tennis. If this is the case, some resurfacing companies allow you to add additional lines so that you can mark out different courts. This may increase the cost of the project, depending on how many lines, the complexity, and the size of the court.

Replacing accessories

Sometimes resurfacing is a good time to take care of other repair jobs, including replacing accessories like windscreens, fencing, nets, and benches. Expect to add anywhere from $100 for a new windscreen to $10,000 for new fencing.

Additional considerations and costs

• Concrete, asphalt, and acrylic tennis courts need to be resurfaced periodically. For asphalt and concrete, it is every 3 to 5 years, and for acrylic courts, it is every 4 to 8 years, depending on maintenance and climate.
• Resurfacing costs will likely be higher if the court is in bad condition or has not been properly maintained and resurfaced on a regular basis.
• If you have foundation problems with your court, you may want to consider hiring a geotechnical engineer to survey the area and make suggestions before proceeding.
• Once the court is resurfaced, it will need additional coats of color every 2 to 3 years to maintain playability.
• Regularly inspect, clean, and repair the court drains to prevent water penetration, which is one of the biggest causes of asphalt court deterioration.
• Avoid using high-pressure power washers on your court because these may damage the surface.
• Always use a tennis court asphalt paving company and not one meant for driveways. Tennis court construction and resurfacing is a specialized area and requires special equipment and an experienced crew.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Asphalt: A viscous, black mixture of hydrocarbons often used for roofing and waterproofing. It is also used in asphalt for paving roads