Covering Outdoor Tennis Courts: The Definitive Guide
Maybe you’re looking to build new tennis courts and are looking at different options, including outdoor tennis court construction with a covering system in place. But how do you easily cover tennis courts?
There are three popular ways of covering outdoor courts and pitches, these are:
- Air Domes.
- Multi-Use Games Area Covers (or MUGA Covers for short).
- Fabric sports buildings.
In this guide, we’ll cover the pros and cons of each of these methods.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re covering outdoor tennis courts, a multi-sports pitch, or a football pitch, this guide can help you decide which method is right for you.
Tennis air domes
You might hear them referred to as inflatable sports domes, single-skin bubbles, or even air-supported structures. These names all give a pretty good idea of how air domes work.
Essentially, a tennis air dome is a large area covered by a fabric sheet. This sheet has been anchored to the ground and filled with pressurised air.
How much does a tennis air dome cost?
Air domes are a popular choice for covering outdoor tennis courts as well as football pitches because they’re (relatively) cheap to purchase and fast to install. Air domes are typically half as expensive to buy as equivalent fabric sports buildings. For a two-tennis court air dome, expect a figure of circa £150,000 – £200,000 plus VAT, civils, and professional fees.
However, air domes need at least one blower unit operating 24/7 to stay inflated. As you can imagine, the costs of running that unit can quickly add up. That said, there are both pros and cons to choosing an air dome to cover your outdoor courts.
Pros of air domes for covering outdoor courts & pitches
They’re relatively inexpensive to purchase: If you have an existing outdoor sports surface, air domes can be erected with minimal damage, as they don’t need any groundwork to be completed. Because of this, air domes can be installed faster than MUGA covers and fabric structures.
Can be taken down & re-applied: Air domes can be taken down in summer and re-erected in winter.
Easy to relocate: As tennis domes can be placed over existing courts, it’s much easier to relocate them over other tennis court cover types.
Potential energy savings: If the dome is single-skin, you’ll get some energy savings from natural light filtering through.
Cons of air comes for covering outdoor courts & pitches
Increased running costs: Air-supported structures need blower unit(s) operating 24/7, increasing running costs, not to mention additional costs should you wish to take them down and put them back up again periodically.
High maintenance costs: They also have high maintenance costs as they need regular checks on air pressure.
Shorter lifespan: Air domes, especially single-skin versions, have a shorter lifespan than MUGA covers and fabric structures.
Vulnerabilities to extreme weather:They can be vulnerable to high winds and snow loads, putting the structure at risk to serious damage. You might also need a heating system to prevent snow from building up on the surface
Planning permission: Because air domes are limited in design, getting planning permission can be a challenge.
Project costs:The overall project costs often exceed client expectations as air domes still need surveys, designs and planning permission.
Key takeaway: Although air domes are initially cheaper to purchase and install, the cost of maintaining the structure could offset any initial savings
Multi-use games area covers (MUGA) for outdoor tennis courts and sports pitches
A multi-use games area (MUGA) cover is an open-sided structure with a roof. They’re designed to cover outdoor courts and pitches, providing a self-contained playing area. Because they’re open-sided, buyers immediately save on the cost of four walls.
Pros of MUGA covers for covering outdoor courts
Purchase price: MUGA covers are around 20-25% cheaper to purchase than a full-fabric sports building because of the open sides, users get an indoor-outdoor experience.
Natural ventilation: Due to the open sides there’s no ventilation system required.
Stable support: With a stable steel support structure, there’s no risk of collapse.
Long lifespan: MUGA covers have a long life: of up to 50 years if the fabric roof is replaced after 30-35 years.
Cons of MUGA covers for covering outdoor courts
Limited use: Although they’re less expensive to buy than a fabric sports building, MUGA covers are also extremely limited in use by comparison.
Poor weather protection: As they’re open-sided, users aren’t protected from wind and driving rain. Poor weather protection means these structures are less likely to be used in winter.
Project planning: Like ‘full’ buildings, MUGA covers need surveys, designs, planning permission and foundations.
Limited flooring: Because rain and leaves will gather around the perimeter, non-porous sports surfaces such as acrylic and PU aren’t suitable. These sports flooring limits also limit the sports that can be played under a MUGA cover.
Key takeaway: MUGA covers have lower running costs than air domes but they’re limited when it comes to year-round use.
Fabric tensile structures for covering outdoor tennis courts and sports pitches
Fabric tensile sports structures are like MUGA covers but, instead of open sides, they’re fully enclosed and often steel-clad around the bottom two metres.
In fact, some fabric sports structures look just like ‘traditional’ sports halls.
Covering Outdoor Courts: Air Dome, MUGA Cover Or Fabric Structure?
Many people choose air domes and MUGA covers because they seem like the simple and cost-effective choice. Strictly speaking, you can’t cover existing courts with a fabric sports building.
Because of the groundwork required, you’d likely need to put in a new sports surface, thus incurring additional costs. Not to mention the cost of the building itself which, by virtue of being a fully enclosed building rather than a bubble or canopy, is higher than for an air dome or MUGA cover.
But does that automatically make air domes and MUGA covers better options for providing indoor courts? Let’s look at the pros and cons:
Pros of fabric tensile sports structures for covering outdoor courts
Year-round protection: Fabric sports structures are fully enclosed, giving users year-round protection from wind and rain.
Strong and stable support: If designed correctly (with a stable steel superstructure), there’s no risk of collapse.
Flexible ventilation options: There are various options for ventilation and environmental control.
Natural light: The fabric roof lets natural light filter through, reducing energy bills
There’s a wide range of cladding and finish options to choose from.
Benefits of a traditional sports hall: You get the benefits of a traditional brick-and-mortar sports hall, for a lower price.
Quick to install: Fabric structures are faster to install than traditional buildings
Long life span: They also have a long design life: of 50+ years if the fabric is replaced after 30-35 years.
Cons of fabric tensile sports structures for covering outdoor courts
More expensive than other options: Fabric structures are more expensive to purchase than air domes and MUGA covers.
Limited to new surfaces: They can’t be erected on an existing sports surface
Condensation risk: There’s some risk of condensation if the building isn’t ventilated properly.
No insulation: Like air domes and MUGA covers, single-skin fabric structures aren’t insulated—this usually isn’t a problem as sports players generate their own heat, and single-skin structures can hold an ambient temperature, but double-skinned versions are available.
Conclusion
There are pros and cons to all three methods for covering outdoor courts and pitches. If you’re looking for a temporary solution, an air dome may be your best bet based on lower initial costs.
On the other hand, if you need something more permanent, a MUGA cover could be the answer.
However, if you’re looking for a structure you can use year-round, a fabric sports structure is your best bet.
Considering a fabric sports structure to bring your courts or pitches indoors? Get in touchwith us today.