Cost and Life Cycle
For a club or venue looking to add new courts or considering a change over to a different surface there are many additional considerations such as the suitability of the base, sub-base and even sub-grade for the intended final surface, resulting in a myriad of possible solutions of which the most cost-effective long-lasting base & surface may not be immediately obvious.
Desired playing characteristics should also be considered as part of the decision making process. Thus, a life-cycle cost analysis is required to adequately advise oneself.
The following table demonstrates The estimated life and related costs associated with:
- Surface type
- The variables of playing associated with different court surfaces
- Ancillary items
Comparison of court surface characteristics
| Court surface | Speed of court | Height of bounce | Trueness of bounce | Topspin | Slice | Footing: sliding/firm | Traction: slip/non-slip | Shock absorption |
| Cushioned acrylic | Variable | Medium–high | Consistent | Yes | Yes | Firm | Non-slip | Medium |
| Non-cushioned acrylic | Variable | Medium–high | Consistent | Yes | Yes | Firm | Non-slip | Medium-hard |
| Clay | Slow | Medium–high | Almost consistent | Yes | Yes | Sliding | Non-slip | Soft |
| Natural grass | Fast | Low | Variable | Little | Yes | Firm with partial slide | Slip | Soft |
| Red porous | Slow | Medium | Almost consistent | Yes | Yes | Sliding | Non-slip | Soft |
| SFAG | Medium–fast | Medium | Consistent | Little | Yes | Firm with partial slide | Mainly non-slip | Medium |
| Synthetic clay | Medium–fast | Medium | Consistent | Little | Yes | Firm with partial slide | Mainly non-slip | Medium |
