Give each room the floor its use needs.
Courts: tiles or planks
Our court guide compares two formats. Court tiles are impact-resistant polypropylene and are more shock-absorbent than concrete. Outdoor tiles are vented so water flows through, and indoor tiles do not let water through. Court planks are hardwood or vinyl, and they give the look of a traditional gym floor. Planks clip or lock together, with no nails.
| Factor | Court tiles | Court planks |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Indoors or outdoors | Indoors only |
| Look | Several colors | A traditional gym floor |
| Cleaning | Wipe down or hose off | Needs more care and specific steps |
Our court guide calls court tiles the budget-friendly option. Court tiles usually cost less than court planks. Some plank manufacturers recommend a sports foam support layer under the planks. Lay it at a right angle to the planks, and tape the rolls together.
Court install and game lines
- Prepare: clean the subfloor of dirt, dust, and grease.
- Lay: start in one corner. If the tiles meet a wall, turn the loop side away from the wall.
- Gap: leave about 3/4″ between the tiles and the edge of the court for expansion.
- Lines: mark the game lines with tape, paint, or a game line paint kit.
Send us the court size and the events you hold. We will match the floor and covers.
Protect the court during events
Our gym floor covers page says covers keep the court from scuffs from foot traffic, chairs, and tables. Vinyl cover rolls are anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and resist mildew and rot. Carpet-topped rolls are light and suit formal events. Carpet-topped cover tiles take more time to lay, but they give a more custom layout and suit smaller spaces. Storage racks and electric cranks make the rolls easier to put down.
Lounges and game rooms
Our carpet tile guide says carpet tiles were first made for commercial spaces such as offices. Heavy-duty tiles have low-pile fibers that resist crushing and matting. If a spill leaves a stain, you replace that one tile. Tiles install with double-sided carpet tape, adhesive, or a peel-and-stick back. They also make less waste than a full carpet roll. Most modular carpet tiles are made from recycled material, such as plastic bottles and fishing nets.