For a squash court, maple is the top choice for wooden flooring. Here’s why it’s preferred—and some key construction standards to know:

🏅 Why Maple Wood is Ideal for Squash Courts

1. Exceptional Hardness & Durability

• Canadian hard maple has a Brinell hardness around 44–47 N/mm², higher than beech (~37 N/mm²), oak, and ash—making it highly resistant to wear from fast-paced play.

2. Smooth, Consistent Ball Bounce

• Maple provides uniform shock absorption and vertical deflection, ensuring predictable bounce crucial for competitive squash .

3. Visual Clarity & Aesthetics

• Its light color and fine, uniform grain make court lines stand out sharply—important for clear play and professional appearances .

4. Long & Sustainable Lifespan

• With proper subflooring and care, maple courts can last decades (20–80+ years) and are refinishable, making them a sustainable, long-term investment.

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🛠 Construction Essentials for Maple Squash Courts

1. Wood Grade

• Choose Grade A maple (minimal knots or color variation)—preferred for professional venues. Acceptable grading ranges to Grade B/C based on budget and aesthetics.

2. Plank & System Thickness

• Typical usage: 21 mm solid maple planks.

• Mounted over a cushioned subfloor system—often 25–30 mm of LVL with rubber pads—for shock absorption and comfort .

3. Under-Structure

• Fixed or floating resilient systems are used, with moisture barriers, precise expansion gaps, and WSF-specified subfloor designs .

4. Surface Finish

• Unlike basketball, squash courts use a sanded, matte polyurethane lacquer (40–50 grit) for non-slip performance; the coat should be non-yellowing and low-VOC.

5. Installation Precision

• Must meet WSF or EN standards: expansion gaps around walls, tightly tongue-and-groove boards, and correct moisture management with vapor barriers .

📊 Quick Summary

✅ Bottom Line

For durable, high-performance squash courts, solid maple wooden flooring—installed with a shock-absorbing subfloor and proper finish—offers unmatched athletic bounce, player safety, visual clarity, and long-term value.