In the construction of sports venues, silicon-PU courts and acrylic courts are two popular options. They each have their own characteristics. Understanding the differences between them and their applicable scenarios is crucial for creating an ideal sports venue. After reading this tweet, it will help you make a choice. If you still have any further questions, you can click on the website and contact us.
I. Differences in Material Characteristics
(I) Silicon-PU
1、Elasticity and Cushioning
Silicon-PU materials have moderate elasticity. It has a structure that is hard on the top and elastic on the bottom. When athletes are exercising on it, it can provide good cushioning protection. When athletes jump and land, the silicon-PU court can effectively absorb the impact force, reducing damage to joints. This is very important for sports such as basketball and badminton that require frequent jumping and sudden stops.
2、Wear Resistance
Silicon-PU has excellent wear resistance. Its surface has a special wear-resistant layer, and even under long-term and high-intensity use, it is not prone to wear, peeling and other phenomena. Whether it is for daily training or large-scale competitions, it can maintain a good condition of the venue and extend the service life of the court.
3、Weather Resistance
Silicon-PU has a strong adaptability to the climate. It can maintain stable performance under different temperature and humidity environments. Whether it is in the hot summer or the cold winter, the silicon-PU court will not crack, become soft or hard due to temperature changes; in a humid environment, it can also effectively prevent rainwater infiltration and erosion, ensuring the normal use of the court.
(II) Acrylic
1、Hardness and Flatness
The surface of the acrylic court has a relatively high hardness and can provide a very flat venue. This makes the rolling and bouncing of balls on it more regular, which is extremely beneficial for sports such as tennis that have high requirements for the flatness of the venue and the rebound performance of the balls. Athletes can more accurately predict the trajectory of the balls on the acrylic court.
2、Color Stability
Acrylic materials have excellent color stability. Their colors are bright and long-lasting. After long periods of exposure to sunlight and rain, they can still maintain a good appearance. This not only provides a good visual experience for athletes but also makes the court more advantageous in terms of aesthetics, suitable for some places with high requirements for environmental aesthetics.
3、Environmental Protection
Acrylic materials are usually environmentally friendly materials. During the construction and use process, they will not release substances harmful to human bodies and the environment. This is an important advantage for places with high population density such as schools and communities where environmental protection requirements are high.
II. Differences in Construction Techniques
(I) Silicon-PU
1、Requirements for the Foundation
The silicon-PU court has relatively high requirements for the foundation. The foundation needs to have good flatness and strength. Generally, the concrete foundation is required to reach a strength of C25 or above, and there should be no obvious cracks, hollowing and other problems on the surface. Before construction, the foundation needs to be ground, cleaned and other treatments to ensure good adhesion between the silicon-PU material and the foundation.
2、Construction Steps
The construction process includes steps such as primer painting, intermediate coating laying, and finish coating spraying. Among them, the intermediate coating needs to be constructed in layers according to different functional areas of the court (such as the three-point line and free throw line of the basketball court) to ensure the functionality of the court. Each layer of construction needs to strictly control the thickness and drying time to ensure the overall construction quality.
(II) Acrylic
1、Requirements for the Foundation
The acrylic court also requires a relatively good foundation, but compared with silicon-PU, it has a slightly stronger tolerance for minor flaws in the foundation. However, the flatness of the foundation is still crucial. Generally, it is also recommended to use a concrete foundation, and waterproof treatment should be done well, because if the acrylic material is soaked in water for a long time, it may bubble.
2、Construction Steps
The construction mainly includes steps such as base coating, elastic layer, texture layer and surface layer. During the construction process, attention should be paid to the connection between each layer, especially the construction of the texture layer, which will affect the friction force on the surface of the court and the rebound performance of the balls. The construction should be arranged reasonably according to the weather conditions to avoid construction in high-temperature, high-humidity or low-temperature environments so as not to affect the quality.
III. Differences in Costs
(I) Material Costs
The cost of silicon-PU materials is relatively high due to its complex formula and performance requirements. However, in the long run, due to its wear resistance and long service life, the cost per year may be more advantageous. The cost of acrylic materials is relatively low, but if the maintenance and renovation frequency in the later stage are considered, the overall cost may also need to be comprehensively evaluated.
(II) Construction Costs
The construction process of the silicon-PU court is complex, and the technical requirements for construction personnel are high, so the construction cost is also high. The construction of the acrylic court is relatively simple, and the construction cost will be slightly lower. However, if the construction area is small, the difference in construction costs between the two may change due to the sharing of fixed costs.
IV. Differences in Applicable Scenarios
(I) Silicon-PU
1、Multi-functional Sports Venues
The silicon-PU court is very suitable for constructing multi-functional sports venues, such as school playgrounds, which can simultaneously meet the needs of various ball games such as basketball, volleyball and badminton. Its elasticity and cushioning performance can adapt to the characteristics of different sports, providing a safe and comfortable sports environment for students.
2、Professional Training Venues
For professional sports training bases, the silicon-PU court is also one of the preferred options. Whether it is for the training of sports with strong confrontations such as basketball and football, or the training of projects that require good site elasticity such as gymnastics and martial arts, the silicon-PP can meet the requirements. Its excellent wear resistance and weather resistance can withstand the high-intensity training of professional athletes.
3、Indoor and Outdoor Universal
The silicon-PU court has a wide range of applications both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, it can resist various adverse weather conditions; indoors, its environmental protection performance and good sports performance can also meet the use requirements.
(II) Acrylic
1、Tennis Venues
The most classic application scenario of the acrylic court is the tennis venue. Its high hardness and flatness can ensure the good rebound and rolling of tennis balls, meeting the professional requirements of tennis. Whether it is a tennis venue that meets international competition standards or a venue used by amateur tennis enthusiasts, acrylic can provide a high-quality sports experience.
2、Places with High Requirements for Color and Appearance
In some high-end communities, parks or leisure sports venues, the acrylic court is popular because of its bright colors, good looks and environmental protection characteristics. It can become a part of the landscape, enhancing the environmental quality of the entire area, while providing a good place for residents to do leisure sports.
3、Places with Limited Budgets and High Environmental Protection Requirements
For some places with limited budgets but high environmental protection requirements such as schools and kindergartens, the acrylic court is a good choice. Its low material cost and environmental protection performance can meet the basic sports needs while meeting the dual requirements of environmental protection and budget.
In conclusion, both the silicon-PU court and the acrylic court have their own advantages and applicable scenarios. When choosing, it is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as the requirements of sports projects, budgets, venue environments, and environmental protection requirements, so as to create the most suitable sports venue.