Page 25 - LandscapeSAIssue114

ALLIED TRADE FEATURE

Padel tennis is mainly played in a doubles format
on an enclosed court which is surrounded by walls
of glass and metallic mesh

Glass rebound panels consist of 12mm toughened glass, which underlying court sub-base construction. Generally, contractors
provides a more solid structure and is preferred by players for better and manufacturers will propose a rectangular reinforced concrete
rebound characteristics than 10mm. ring beam of limited dimensions, off which to fix the surrounding
above-ground structure. Reinforced concrete ring beams of small
Glass and welded mesh panels are supported by steel posts or dimensions may be subject to failure at some point due to the
framed steel panels with base plates for fixing to the concrete ring overturning force of local wind loads.
beam. Toughened or tempered glass panels are used as the glass
is specially treated so it will break into small blunt pieces under It is recommended that the reinforced concrete ring beam be
pressure, making it much safer than shards of normal glass. designed by a structural engineer, with due consideration of the
site’s relevant loads, such as wind or spectators. The structure should
The welded mesh sections of the surround walls are made up be bolted to the foundation using suitable anchors, in line with the
of squares, twisted or soldered with voids. The recommended engineer’s calculations.
thickness of the steel wire is between 1.6 and 3mm, with a tension
which allows the ball to bounce off it. The outward facing mesh must Courts that are secured to a concrete foundation are considered
be horizontal. temporary or event courts. These installations should be avoided
over winter months and should be checked regularly for movement.
Sub-base construction and drainage They are unsuitable for permanent outdoor installation.
Padel courts are generally constructed with an in-situ concrete
slab, onto which the synthetic turf surface is laid. This type of slab is Noteworthy points
generally non-porous and considered unsuitable for countries with a The playing surface should comprise a single tone, sand-dressed
wet climate, where high levels of rainfall can be expected on a regular synthetic surface, with either fibrillating or mono-filament tufts, and
basis, leading to reduced usage. As such, in wet areas or countries, should comply with the criteria of the International Padel Federation.
the sub-base construction should comprise a suitable free-draining
aggregate of porous asphalt installed over it in two separate layers. Courts can be floodlit in two ways – either by using integrated fence
posts as part of the surrounding fence enclosure, or by the use of
When constructing a padel court over an existing tennis court, stand-alone floodlight columns outside the court enclosure to mount
careful consideration of the existing gradients, surface tolerance, fittings. The choice between these two methods depends on the
and accurate position of the new padel court is required. The upper number of courts to be lit and the complexities of the site, for example
surface of the ring beam should be established at a level above if there are houses in close proximity which may require superior
the highest point of the existing surface. As such, the installation fittings to control lux level spillage and reduce potential glare.
contractor will have to make allowance for shuttering of the
concrete where this is higher than the general court area. In this A range of covers is available, for example full or partial drop-down
case, a detailed survey of the existing tennis court and sub-base walls, or poly- carbonate roof canopies.
construction is required before proceeding with the project.
The position of the court and surrounds must be suitable for player
Concrete perimeter ring beam access and maintenance.
The supporting posts and/or framed panels are fixed with base
plates, holding down bolts to a perimeter concrete ring beam. The Information and photos supplied by Southwest Putting Greens,
upper surface of the ring beam will finish at the same level as the www.southwestgreens.co.za n

Landscape SA • Issue 114 2022 23