Not really a tractor operation question but thought that there were plenty of knowledgeable folks here that may offer me some advice. I have a gravel driveway & can live with that, but need to set up an area where the kids can play basketball.

At $115 per yd. of concrete & $20 per ton of gravel & putting down 4" of each, I can pour concrete for $2.55 sq.ft. The prices I see for asphalt are too close to what I can do concrete for for me to consider.

Money really tight for now. Are there any other alternatives? Thinking about putting down a / the bigger size stones & then coating the top layer w/ smaller stones/pea gravel. Would this work at all? Any other suggestions?

 

You do not need 4" of crete or pavement for a basketball court as long as thats all it's going to be.. My kids played on a court that had 4" compacted gravel base and 2" dense top pavement on the side of my garage. I currently store my 15k 5ver on that pad.

 

I agree with 2" being enough. I was told the same thing by a man
who worked concrete for a living. He also suggested throwing
scrap metal pipe, heavy wire, etc. in to keep the concrete from
pulling apart if it cracks. Seems that would be true, especially
at the corners and close to the perimeters. Be sure to tie the
metal down to short stakes (below the surface of course), and
point the metal towrds the corners and sides. Good luck!

 

2 " is a bit thin (IMO)......I would go 3"(3 1/2" if you use 2x4's as form material) of 2500 lb concrete(3/4 " rock) if you are ordering it ( no need for 3000 PSI for your needs).......for a play area....I would use wire mesh to hold the concrete together.....make sure you keep it the middle of the concrete and not compressed to the ground, where it will do no good.

 

I'd say if you put down 2" and used some chicken wire layed in there before you poured you'd be alright. Kids playing basketball on it won't destroy that as long as you have a solid, compacted base. Probably would not invite the Bulls or the Nicks over to have a game.

 

No offense, but chicken wire won't do much to hold it together. Its great for plaster but not so good under compression, or spanning a soft spot in the sub grade.

As a lifer in the construction bus and a journeyman cement mason I'd say go at least 3" on a good base. Pour it in 2 sections if you need to, to save some dough. But do it right and you are adding value to your place, after the kids move out you will have a place to park the boat or rv, or the next guy will.

Asphalt costs as much or more than concrete anymore, won't last as long and pavers will really set you back.

On the other hand think of the ball handling skills the kids will develop playing on gravel. Couldn't ba a bad thing til things turn around!

 

why not use decomposed granite ? we use this stuff all the time for running tracks and hard courts its great stuff. you just spread it about 2" thick compact it and it gets hard like concrete. once its compacted right you can hardly drive a steel stake in it. its used for tennis courts drive ways tracks etc. only draw back is it cant take water running over it it will wash away it needs to be flat!

 

You sound like my dad when I complained of playing on a caliche driveway ..."That's why I'm so good and you're not"...said he


I think growing up we played on the hard packed dirt surface. The caliche at the farm wasn't bad when it was packed down and the bigger rocks were off the main surface.

I wouldn't put gravel down. And pavers are expensive.

 

If you go with concrete, make sure to cut in "control joints". This will control the major cracking. ( Crack in every sac, we say). I also agree that chicken wire is close to worthless in concrete.

 

do it right and it will be worth it like Annabelle and others have said. If nott just burn the money it would be the same. Since its a just a court just compact the ground thats there and add 3 1/2 inches concrete with a good 10 gauge 6x6 wire mesh.