Everything you need to know about a new tennis court

En Tout Cas have been building tennis courts for more than 100 years. Some aspects of the game remain unchanged while others have altered dramatically. Tennis has never been more popular and the appeal of a court in your own home is enduring. There are four eternal questions that our customers ask us:

  • How much space do I need for a tennis court?
  • Do I need planning permission?
  • What's involved in tennis court construction?
  • Which tennis court surface do I need?
  • Will a new court add value to my home

Here is a guide to all five of these key issues.

How much ground do you need - the size of a tennis court

One of the first questions about tennis court construction, is how much space do you need? Just how big is a tennis court?

The dimensions of a tennis court have not changed since the game was regulated in 1875, even though almost every other aspect of the sport and its players has evolved.

The original dimensions were laid down in feet, but our plans show imperial and metric dimensions. It's not just the size of the actual playing area that is important. A tennis court needs plenty of space around the court too. In fret and inches, to the court size of 78 feet, you need to add an other 18 feet (six yards) behind each baseline. This means that the combined space behind the baselines almost doubles the length of the space required.

In broad terms, the tennis court enclosed by a fence will occupy a space somewhere between 120 feet by 60 feet and 108 feet by 54 feet. A singles-only court can be accommodated in a space 45 feet wide.

Remember too that the orientation of the court is very important - no one want to be receiving serve facing into a bright sun. Accordingly your court should be laid facing north to south, rather than east to west.

 

FENCING

Tennis court fencing plays an important part in the presentation and practicality of a tennis court. Our approach is to use our own design, elegant patented fences complement the court and make it an attractive part of the garden.

Click here to see more on fencing.

Dimensions for a tennis court in feet
Dimensions for a tennis court in metres

Planning consent for tennis courts…

Under normal circumstances, the construction of a tennis court does not require planning permission in the gardens behind a private house.

The planning rules for tennis courts come under and are specifically mentioned in the general rules for outbuildings which state that an enclosure below a height of three metres does not require planning consent.

There are just eight reasons why you would need planning permission for a tennis court.

  • The house is listed.
  • Permitted development rights have been removed.
  • The house is in an area of outstanding natural beauty or national park.
  • Significant civil engineering works are required.
  • It would be more than 50% of the garden,
  • It is not in the garden
  • It is in front of the main elevation of the house
  • Your development includes a two-metre court fence that is within two metres of the property's boundary,

To find out more about planning issues, visit the planning portal, a government planning advice website.

Tennis court construction - planning your court

From foundations through to fence post finials, our approach is to build a tennis court that will give years of enjoyment, with the proper care.

Quality approach is the key to a court that will last for many years

From foundations through to fence post finials, our approach is to build a tennis court that will give years of enjoyment, with the proper care.

You’ll be aware of our commitment to quality, from the moment we visit to discuss your needs and to survey your proposed site. We’ll take care of details, such as making sure that the court will fit the area you have in mind, that it is correctly orientated relative to the sun and that it is located on stable ground. We’ll ensure that tree roots won’t be a problem, and that surface chosen will perform well in the location.

Following these initial decisions, we will recommend the most appropriate surface and submit a specification and estimate for a total design and build contract. There will be no short cuts in material specification, no casual labour and nothing but the very highest standards.

What you will get are UK-sourced materials that are checked and approved by us before they are used. We deploy our own construction teams, each of which is led by a foreman who is a highly experienced specialist in tennis court construction. To reinforce this dedication to quality assurance, our construction manager will make site visits to carry out detailed quality inspection.

As well as tennis court construction we also offer a full resurfacing, cleaning and refurbishment service for tennis courts. We build tennis courts, including synthetic grass surfaces, synthetic clay and hard courts throughout the UK.

Tarmac
Slopes and orientation 2

Will a tennis court add value to my home?

Pick the surface that suits you best

We take a great deal of care through the design and construction processes to minimise the impact of our work and maximise the aesthetic impact of our courts and soft landscaping. As the article here in specialist property website says, property experts believe that the benefits to the value of your home will exceed the cost of court construction.

If you are thinking of investing in a tennis court for your home, please talk to us.