Crushed asphalt pad?

[JMER817]

I'm looking for an economical option to concrete for a 24 X 24 size basketball court for the kids. Has anyone tried crushed asphalt (Asphalt millings)? I can get the material that I need for around $250. Having someone do the concrete will run me around $2K.

 

[BigBoyToys]

I have a parking area with it but wouldn't want to use it for a basketball court. It doesn't pack down firm enough. Concrete would be your best bet.

 

[Streetcar]

Basketball on a gravel pad is hard on players and on ball
I would go with concrete pad also

 

[doctinker]

The asphalt millings that I have are not good for playing anything on. Like BigBoyToys said, they don't pack down. I also have a driveway with 21aa crushed limestone that I think would be fine for basketball. The limestone will kick up though, so expect to grade it and tamp it occasionally.
When I was a kid, we had a pea gravel driveway and I hated it for basketball.

This might interest you
Sand & Gravel from Al's Trucking & Building Supplies, Inc. Fenton, Michigan

 

[dragoneggs]

I have a parking area with it but wouldn't want to use it for a basketball court. It doesn't pack down firm enough. Concrete would be your best bet.

Not what you want to hear but I agree... maybe you can make the concrete forms and save a few bucks?

 

[JMER817]

Not what you want to hear but I agree... maybe you can make the concrete forms and save a few bucks?

Yeah, I'll prep it myself and hire someone with experience for cash.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

crushed asphalt is better than gravel, but concrete is best.

 

[Morning Wood]

Is concrete more expensive than regular asphalt?

 

[dragoneggs]

I used to play a lot of basketball on all types of surfaces. From hardwood, composites, concrete, hot rolled asphalt, and crushed asphalt and worse. It seems that over time asphalt flat tops seem to erode due the ground underneath settling or roots or chemical spills, etc. If you want it to last... go concrete! Nothing worse than not having confidence in your footing while playing hard. Sprained ankles playing hoops were my bane.

 

[Rustyiron]

Check the cost between concrete, and a "millings" base with a thin asphalt (pavement) top coat for the kids. If that's all it's going to be used for, 2" compacted down to 1 1/2" should be fine.
If you get some "newer" millings that still has some asphalt in it that hasn't evaparated out, and place it in the middle of the (hot) summer and roll it, it's hard to beat for a driveway, not so much for a bb court.