Choosing Wood or Synthetic Flooring for Your Basketball Court or Gym

Gym floors get a lot of foot traffic all year round. Therefore, they need to be both durable and easy to maintain. There are several types of gym flooring. But the two most common are wood flooring and synthetic flooring. Both of these materials have their unique advantages and disadvantages. It is important to know all of their characteristics before installing either option. In this blog post, we will provide a direct comparison of choosing wood vs. synthetic for basketball court flooring based on basic factors.

Wood vs. synthetic materials for basketball court flooring

When choosing a surface for your new gym floor, you must consider the expected lifespan, durability, maintenance and primary use of the floor. You must combine all of these factors and find the best solution for your budget. We all know that, in general, wood flooring is more expensive than synthetic flooring. However, wood floors do offer better quality and are more aesthetically pleasing. This is especially true on large surfaces such as gym or basketball court floors. Let's take a look at some key factors to keep in mind when choosing whether to install wood or synthetic basketball court flooring.  

Installation Costs

While some organizations don't have to worry about this aspect, installation cost is often the deciding factor for many gym owners, which is why we started here. As we mentioned before, hardwood flooring is more expensive to install compared to synthetic flooring due to the cost of the material itself. Synthetic options are usually more affordable, but the price always depends on the size of the job and the overall market.

With these factors in mind, if you have the budget for wood flooring, you may want to choose this option. Yes, it's a bit pricey. But no other material can replace the image of high-quality, gleaming hardwood on a basketball court. 

Maintenance

Many facility operators believe that they can save on maintenance costs when choosing synthetic flooring. While synthetic floors may be easier to maintain compared to wood floors, they still have specific maintenance needs. This includes the use of automatic scrubbers and manufacturer-specified cleaning products. These types of floors should be scrubbed weekly, biweekly or quarterly, depending on the amount of foot traffic they receive.

While synthetic floors are easier to maintain, they tend to wear out more quickly in critical areas than wood floors. For example, synthetic basketball courts will first wear out near the low block, free throw line and three-point line. This will require you to recoat the floor to restore its appearance.

On the other hand, because of its porous nature, wood has different maintenance needs compared to synthetic materials. You should clean any spills and moisture immediately. Because wood is highly absorbent, you should also pay extra attention to the indoor humidity of your gym and keep it between 30% and 50% with your HVAC system.

Keeping moisture levels at a consistent percentage can significantly affect the longevity of your wood flooring. Consider that hardwood gym floors also require annual screening and recoating to ensure longevity.

Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is where the quality and durability of a wood floor really shines. When properly maintained, wood floors can last 50 years or more - much longer than synthetic floors. The latter has a much shorter life expectancy, as a properly maintained synthetic floor will only last 10 to 30 years at most. On top of that, because wood can be refurbished when damaged or worn, it does not need to be completely replaced, unlike synthetic flooring. This brings us to the next topic.

Refurbishment and replacement costs

Unlike wood flooring, synthetic flooring cannot be refurbished or repaired. This means that every time your synthetic flooring is damaged, you will have to replace the entire surface. If you choose wood flooring, you don't have to worry about this because you can always strip the bare wood, add lines and logos, apply seals and finishes, and your gym floor will be as good as new.

Refurbishing can save you a lot of money in the long run. Resurfacing a gym floor can be done for a fraction of the cost of installing a new basketball court floor. A general sanding and refinishing job can provide new life to your wood floor and give your gym a fresh new look. If you choose to redesign your wood floor, sanding and refinishing is also a very cost effective way to repaint your wood floor.

Durability

If you want to install indoor basketball flooring wood flooring, volleyball flooring wood flooring or any flooring that is used for only one type of activity, then you are on the right track. Installing wood flooring will allow you to enjoy the best quality without having to worry about damage to your footwear. On the other hand, if you need a versatile gym floor, synthetic flooring may be the best choice for you.

Why? Synthetic floors are more versatile because they can withstand all types of footwear and foot traffic. In addition, synthetic materials do not scratch as easily as wood floors. If you plan to use your court or athletic facility for a variety of events and activities, which may include participants walking or jumping in hard-soled shoes and high heels, synthetic gym flooring materials will be more forgiving.

Contact a professional for a new basketball court

The process of installing wood flooring is a little more complicated than that of synthetic flooring. However, in many cases, wood is the better choice. In addition, working with the right gym flooring company will allow you to complete the entire installation process quickly and efficiently. Natural wood floors are the best choice for your exercise facility. Not only do they last longer, but they look elegant and classic. If you would like to schedule a consultation for your gym flooring project, request a new proposal, or if you just have a general inquiry about our services, please feel free to contact us.