Great Home Project: Turn Your Driveway Into a Basketball Court
A basketball goal quickly makes your outdoor space a great place to play hoops
After watching your favorite basketball player drain a game-winning shot during the NBA playoffs, you’re going to want to go outside and replicate that moment. Here’s how to make it possible by adding a basketball hoop next to your home’s driveway.
Typical project length: It takes about two to three weeks to complete the project. This includes ordering the hoop, delivery time and installation.
If the driveway needs attention, you can replace it in a matter of days, says Robert Sciacca, CEO of Driveway Contractor. If you are adding a driveway to a new space or using pavers, it can take weeks.
Best time to start: Warm, clear weather makes installation easier because you aren’t trying to dig into frozen ground or deal with low temperatures if you are installing a pole or reworking the driveway.
If the driveway needs attention, you can replace it in a matter of days, says Robert Sciacca, CEO of Driveway Contractor. If you are adding a driveway to a new space or using pavers, it can take weeks.
Best time to start: Warm, clear weather makes installation easier because you aren’t trying to dig into frozen ground or deal with low temperatures if you are installing a pole or reworking the driveway.
Whom to hire: If you’re handy, you can do it yourself; many basketball hoop companies provide instructions with their systems or can refer buyers to installers nearby. Tate says about 30 percent of Pro Dunk Hoops’ customers will install the basketball hoop systems themselves.
You also can find local contractors to install your hoop. But installers familiar with these systems often will have tips and tricks on placement, Tate says.
Find backyard court pros
You also can find local contractors to install your hoop. But installers familiar with these systems often will have tips and tricks on placement, Tate says.
Find backyard court pros
Considerations: Your playing area and who uses the space dictate the best basketball hoop system for your driveway. By knowing those two factors, Tate can recommend a system for a one-, two- or three-car driveway that also fits your activity needs. “You don’t want to pick something too big for your space, because it can end up as an eyesore,” Tate says.
Here are some examples of what he recommends for certain scenarios:
- Family fun in a one-car driveway: A smaller, adjustable system, such as the Pro Dunk Silver, works well for a family with kids. The backboard spans 54 inches and the hoop can be lowered to 5 feet high. (Standard basketball hoops are 10 feet high.)
- Free-throw practice in a two-car driveway: A roof-mounted system is great if you don’t have space alongside the driveway and don’t need to adjust the hoop height.
- Real practice in a three-car driveway: A full-size hoop, such as Pro Dunk Platinum, offers the competitive players the hoop they need. It also includes a lifetime warranty that covers dunking and hanging from the rim. “If someone had a space dedicated specially as a court, I’d bump them up to our diamond option,” Tate says.
Common Driveway Court Materials
- Asphalt: This is the best material for a driveway basketball court, Sciacca of Driveway Contractors says. It’s softer and more forgiving on the body than other surfaces. For best results, install when the weather is warm and the ground is dry. “The court can be asphalt, and the edging can be brick pavers, beautifying the look of the court,” he says. This driveway material lasts about 20 years.
- Concrete: This surface can be slippery and not as soft, making it less desirable for competitive basketball use. In cold climates, the concrete can crack and heave, making it unsafe, Tim Johnson of Southview Design says. But it’s a common driveway material, works for family-fun basketball and lasts about 30 years.
- Pavers: Flat pavers (shown here) also can make for a smooth playing surface. They come in many colors and can be replaced if stained or broken. In addition, you can build basketball court lines, such as the free-throw line, right into the design by using different-colored pavers, Johnson says. This type of driveway lasts 30 or more years.
Maintenance: Basketball play should not result in any additional maintenance for the driveway, and the hoop structure should require little maintenance. If you see rust, Tate says, remove it right away and check the warranty that came with your system. A quality system should last a lifetime.
Permit: A permit is not typically required, but you should always check the rules in your area, as well as your homeowners association if you belong to one. People may think they can’t have a hoop because of their homeowners association, Tate says. But in many cases, they are allowed, or you can file for an exception. “You almost always get one,” Tate says.
Permit: A permit is not typically required, but you should always check the rules in your area, as well as your homeowners association if you belong to one. People may think they can’t have a hoop because of their homeowners association, Tate says. But in many cases, they are allowed, or you can file for an exception. “You almost always get one,” Tate says.
Extras: Go beyond the hoop and driveway by adding some helpful extras. These are the most popular, according to Tate:
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- Stenciling kit: The kit includes a pattern and paint to add a 3-point line, free-throw line and lane, baseline and more.
- Pole pad: This cushion around the pole eases any collisions while playing and can be customized with vinyl lettering.
- Lights: LED lamps illuminate your driveway and allow you to play basketball at night.
- Ball containment: A net or fence stops the ball from going into the bushes, down a hill, over a fence or into the neighbor’s yard.
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It’s a good project for you if … you or family members would enjoy playing basketball at home and you already have a driveway, or at least have space to add a driveway. You can practice your free throws, challenge a sibling to a game of “horse” and invite the neighbors over for a friendly game of hoops.
Cost: An outdoor basketball hoop ranges from $650 to $2,500, depending on style and size, Zachary Tate of Pro Dunk Hoops says. A hoop that’s mounted on the garage runs from $650 to $950. A hoop on an in-ground post costs $1,100 to $2,000. A heavy-duty portable unit can run from $1,700 to $2,500. You can also hire someone locally to install it, which usually costs about $450.
To add a driveway, costs range from $4 to $5 per square foot for asphalt, $7 to $10 per square foot for concrete and $7 to $10 per square foot for flat pavers. As with all home improvement projects, costs vary widely by location.