Build Padel

Wall Construction Standards

Structural Requirements and Safety

Comprehensive specifications for padel court wall construction, including height requirements, material standards, construction methods, and safety features according to official regulations.

Padel court walls are critical structural elements that define the playing area and significantly impact gameplay dynamics. These walls must meet strict construction standards to ensure safety, durability, and consistent ball behavior across all court installations.

Wall Heights

Back Wall Requirements

The back wall must have a minimum height of 4 meters from the playing surface. This height ensures adequate ball containment while providing sufficient space for overhead shots and lobs that are essential to padel gameplay.

The back wall should extend vertically without any interruptions or protrusions that could interfere with ball play. Any structural elements such as support posts must be positioned to minimize impact on game dynamics.

Side Wall Specifications

Side walls feature a distinctive height profile that starts at 3 meters at the back wall intersection and gradually reduces to 2 meters at the net. This design creates the characteristic padel court shape and affects ball trajectory during play.

The height transition must be smooth and continuous, following a precise geometric curve that maintains structural integrity while optimizing ball behavior. Any deviations from this profile can significantly impact game fairness and ball dynamics.

Height Transitions

The transition from back wall to side walls must be seamless, with no sharp angles or abrupt changes in height. This smooth transition is essential for consistent ball behavior and player safety during intense gameplay.

Corner joints between walls must be properly reinforced to handle the structural loads and impact forces generated during play. The transition geometry should follow established engineering standards for optimal performance.

Material Requirements

Glass Specifications

Wall glass must be tempered safety glass with a minimum thickness of 12mm. This specification ensures adequate strength to withstand ball impacts while maintaining transparency for spectator viewing and natural lighting.

The glass must meet international safety standards for impact resistance and shatter resistance. All glass panels should be properly certified and installed according to manufacturer specifications and local building codes.

Metal Mesh Standards

Alternative to glass walls, metal mesh panels may be used in certain applications. Mesh must be constructed from corrosion-resistant materials with appropriate gauge and spacing to ensure ball containment while maintaining visibility.

Mesh specifications should provide equivalent ball containment to glass walls while offering different acoustic and visual properties. The choice between glass and mesh often depends on local regulations and facility requirements.

Support Structure

Wall support structures must be engineered to withstand the forces generated during play, including ball impacts, wind loads, and structural vibrations. The support system should provide adequate rigidity while allowing for thermal expansion.

Support posts and frames must be properly anchored to the foundation and designed to distribute loads effectively. The structural design should account for local environmental conditions and seismic requirements where applicable.

Construction Details

Foundation Requirements

Wall foundations must be designed to support the structural loads and resist lateral forces generated during play. Foundation depth and reinforcement should be calculated based on soil conditions and local building codes.

The foundation system should provide adequate stability for the wall structure while preventing settlement or movement that could affect wall alignment and ball behavior. Proper drainage around foundations is essential for long-term stability.

Assembly Methods

Wall assembly must follow precise construction sequences to ensure proper alignment and structural integrity. The assembly process should minimize stress concentrations and ensure uniform load distribution across all wall elements.

Construction tolerances must be strictly maintained to ensure consistent wall geometry and ball behavior. Any deviations from specified dimensions can significantly impact game fairness and player experience.

Joints and Fixings

All wall joints and connections must be properly sealed and reinforced to prevent water infiltration and structural degradation. Joint design should accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining structural integrity.

Fastening systems must be corrosion-resistant and designed for the specific loads and environmental conditions. Regular inspection and maintenance of joints and fixings are essential for long-term performance and safety.

Safety Features

Impact Resistance

Walls must be designed to withstand repeated ball impacts without structural damage or safety hazards. The minimum impact resistance requirement is 30kN/m², ensuring walls can handle the forces generated during normal play.

Impact resistance testing should be conducted according to established standards, with walls demonstrating adequate performance under both static and dynamic loading conditions. Regular inspection is required to maintain safety standards.

Edge Protection

All wall edges must be properly finished and protected to prevent injury to players. Edge treatments should eliminate sharp corners and provide smooth transitions between wall surfaces and adjacent structures.

Edge protection systems should be durable and weather-resistant, maintaining their protective properties throughout the wall's service life. Regular inspection and replacement of damaged edge protection is essential for player safety.

Emergency Access

Wall construction must not impede emergency access to the court area. Access doors and emergency exits must be properly integrated into the wall system while maintaining structural integrity and security.

Emergency access systems should be clearly marked and easily operable under stress conditions. Regular testing and maintenance of emergency access features is required to ensure they function properly when needed.