Question 1

Are Matéflex tiles portable?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  Matéflex tiles can be temporarily placed for either seasonal or event use.  For best results, we certainly recommend fastening any long-term outdoor projects to the underlying subsurface, but if you are just looking to use these tiles for a short stint such as a birthday party, pop-up event or trade show booth, our tiles are the perfect portable tile surface option.  Contact a sales representative today to see how we can help custom design your portable floor!

Question 2

Are old gym floors a health concern due to mercury?

Accepted Answer

Some older gym floors (typically those installed before the 1990s) used rubber-like polyurethane systems that contained mercury catalysts. If you are dealing with a very old floor, it's worth investigating its history.

Question 3

Are the tiles slippery when wet?

Accepted Answer

As with any surface, the tiles can be slippery when wet. With that being said, our tiles typically dry quicker than traditional surfaces — allowing you to get back to your game as soon as possible.

Question 4

Can a modular floor be installed over carpet?

Accepted Answer

In some cases, modular sports flooring can be installed over a thin carpet with a very low pile, but typically we recommend a hard, flat, and level subfloor like concrete, asphalt, or VCT (vinyl composite tile) to ensure stability and proper performance. Thicker carpet is too soft and will not provide a suitable base.

Question 5

Can Matéflex courts be a DIY installation?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Many customers choose to do these projects on their own. If you already have a concrete or asphalt pad in place and are looking to spruce it up by overlaying our tile system, DIY is the way to go. Or, you can hire your trusted local contractor to build the base for the court and install the tiles to keep your costs down.

Question 6

Can you install modular flooring over an existing floor?

Accepted Answer

Yes, one of the major advantages of modular tiles is that they can often be installed directly over an existing hard, flat surface like concrete or even old vinyl tile, saving on demolition costs.

Question 7

Can you play pickleball on a tennis court?

Accepted Answer

Yes! A standard tennis court (60'x120') can accommodate up to four pickleball courts. Many facilities convert tennis courts to pickleball by adding pickleball lines alongside the existing tennis lines, allowing both sports on the same surface. Matéflex TopCourt and HomeCourt® tiles work perfectly for this dual-sport setup, providing the firm surface and consistent ball response both games require.

Question 8

Do you ship outside the US?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Matéflex ships worldwide. Please contact a representative about your project and we will be able to assemble your pricing with international freight included.

Question 9

How are game lines applied to the surface?

Accepted Answer

Game lines are masked out using quality tapes then treated with specialized primers and an application of a high-performance, specialized 2-part polyurethane paint.

Small DIY courts can be painted in-house in our controlled paint room setting, but larger court layouts are typically painted on site.

Question 10

How big is a pickleball court? (What are the dimensions of a regulation pickleball court)?

Accepted Answer

The in-bounds area of a standard sized pickleball court will measure 44’ long by 20’ wide, and with the regulation out of bounds area included, the total pickleball court dimensions will end up measuring 60’ long by 30’ wide.  Interested in creating a pickleball court for casual backyard use but don’t have the space to fit the regulation size court?  Mateflex can custom build your backyard pickleball court layout to fit any size!

Question 11

How big is a volleyball court?

Accepted Answer

How big is a volleyball court for regulation play? A standard indoor volleyball court measures 60' x 30' (18m x 9m) for the playing area, with an additional 10' of clearance space recommended around the perimeter. For recreational or outdoor setups, you can adjust dimensions based on available space. Matéflex ProGym and Matéflex III tiles work for both regulation and custom-sized volleyball court installations.

Question 12

How does the ball react on Matéflex Modular Flooring?

Accepted Answer

We've designed our basketball court flooring with performance in mind. The ball will react very similarly to a traditional concrete or asphalt surface. We test basketball response on all surfaces measuring the percentage of the rebound height normally produced on concrete. FIBA requires a minimum of 93% rebound, while all of Matéflex modular tile surfaces range from 99%-100%.

Question 13

How long are college basketball halves?

Accepted Answer

In NCAA college basketball, each half is 20 minutes of playing time, for a total of 40 minutes per game (compared to the NBA's four 12-minute quarters). When planning gymnasium flooring or multi-purpose court surfaces for college-level play, Matéflex ProGym and ProGym Plank are engineered to handle constant play.

Question 14

How long is a basketball court? (What are the dimensions of a regulation basketball court)?

Accepted Answer

There are several sizes to consider when planning to construct an indoor or outdoor basketball court.  Professional and other high-talent leagues such as the NBA and NCAA will use an in-bounds area of 94’ x 50’ for their basketball court dimensions, and international leagues such as FIBA will specify a very similar size of 28 meters (92’ ft.) by 15 meters (49’ ft.).  High School basketball court regulations call for an 84’ x 50’ in-bounds area, and younger leagues can have an even smaller court dimensions, most commonly a size of approximately 74’ x 42’.

Note that for safety purposes, it is highly recommended to add an additional 3’ - 5’ of sideline and 6’ - 10’ of endline space beyond the painted perimeter lines for extra out of bounds area so that players are not stepping directly off of the surface as they go out of bounds, this can create a tripping hazard and be dangerous to players if not accounted for.  Luckily, Mateflex can create a custom court layout to fit your exact needs, no matter what size basketball court you will require.
Q: How long is a volleyball court? (What are the dimensions of a regulation volleyball court)?

A: There are two main sets of indoor volleyball court dimensions that are commonly seen in school sanctioned, club and casual play, and one has seemingly replaced the other as the more “standard” size.  Traditionally, the in-bounds area of a volleyball floor would measure 60’ x 30’ in total, however the most recent update to most volleyball court construction guidelines will now call for a more metric-based sizing of 18m x 9m, approximately 59’ long by 29’ 6” wide.

After including the required out of bounds space, the total footprint of the court space will measure 27m x 15m (4.5m beyond each end line and 3m beyond each sideline, approximately 89’ - 90’ x 50’) per NCAA regulations rule 1.1.1, or 24m x 15m (3m beyond each side, approximately 79’ x 50’) per the USA Volleyball specs.  Note again that planning for the correct court dimensions with the out of bounds space included is extremely important, as the current rules can penalize teams for having the incorrect court dimensions.

Question 15

How much does a new wood gym floor cost?

Accepted Answer

A new maple hardwood gym floor is a major investment, often ranging from $15 to $25+ per square foot installed, depending on the subfloor system and geographic location.

Question 16

How much does backyard basketball court flooring cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a backyard basketball court varies based on a number of factors. Some variables to consider when estimating the cost are excavation to prepare the site, basketball floor size, outdoor basketball court tile choice, accessories such as basketball hoops, containment netting, and lights.

Question 17

How much does it cost to build a home tennis court?

Accepted Answer

The cost to build a tennis court in your backyard can vary dramatically depending on the existing terrain and what options you would like for your tennis court surface and amenities. Roughly speaking, a ground-up build of a new tennis court can cost between $50,000 and $100,000.

Question 18

How much does it cost to build a pickleball court?

Accepted Answer

It varies based on site preparation, surface choice, and whether you're building from scratch or converting existing space. DIY installations with Matéflex can be completed at a fraction of the cost of traditional construction. Contact us for a custom quote tailored to your specific project.

Question 19

How much does multi-purpose gymnasium flooring cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of gymnasium flooring depends on the type of surface you choose. Gym flooring can start on the low end with VCT tile around $3.00 per square foot and go all the way up to hardwood flooring that can be $15.00 or more installed. Synthetic flooring would fall somewhere in between.

It's important to think beyond the initial investment and consider the ongoing maintenance requirements for your choice of flooring. Matéflex offers competitively priced flooring options that require minimal maintenance and can be easily repaired if any problems do arise.

Check out our commercial gym flooring options.

Question 20

How much space do you need to build a tennis court?

Accepted Answer

Traditional tennis court surfaces take up a 60'x120' space. The playing area is 36'x78' with 12' of out-of-bounds space on each side of the court and 21' of out-of-bounds space at each end of the court.

Trees and vegetation should be kept away from the court to help prevent leaves and debris from collecting on the court. These can degrade a traditional surface over time without proper upkeep.

Question 21

How often does a tennis court need to be resurfaced?

Accepted Answer

In general, most acrylic hard tennis court surfaces should be resurfaced every 4 to 8 years. This depends on a variety of factors, including how much use the court gets, how well it is maintained, and the climate in which the court is installed. There are several Matéflex tennis court tiles that have been in use for over 20 years.

Check out our options for your tennis court.

Question 22

How often should you refinish a hardwood gym floor?

Accepted Answer

Typically, a hardwood gym floor requires a full sanding and refinishing every 5 to 10 years, depending on the level of use and the quality of daily maintenance.

Question 23

I have some tiles in the middle of the floor that are scuffed up and need to be replaced. What is the procedure to remove the old tile and replace with a new tile?

Accepted Answer

One of the main advantages of using a modular tile system is the ability to easily remove and replace tiles in the center of your court. This ability is valuable for court owners, should they need to replace a damaged tile or access the subsurface underneath their flooring. To remove a tile, we would recommend using a wide, thin tool (such as a standard 5-in-1 tool or putty knife) to gently wedge between the seams of your tiles, using the edge of the tile as a lever to pop up the locks underneath. Once you have disengaged a large enough section of tile locks, you should be able to remove the rest of the tile by hand.  See how we would remove a tile in our video below:

How to remove a tile from the center of your court

Question 24

What are the advantages of the expansion joint technology?

Accepted Answer

When plastic is put out into the elements, it will expand and contract with varying temperatures and sun conditions. If this is not accommodated for in the design and installation of the modular tile surface, several issues can arise. The surface can shift over time, buckle in extreme heat, and cause inaccurate game line dimensions, just to name a few. Matéflex accounts for all of this with its unique expansion joint technology.

This technology is what sets our outdoor court flooring surfaces above the competition for all sports. The expansion joints allow the tiles to be flexible and conform better to uneven sub-surfaces, providing more consistent ball bounces than any other outdoor tile on the market.

The expansion joints also allow the court to be fastened to the subsurface around the perimeter of the court. This is done for several practical reasons, the first being to prevent physical or thermal movement of the surface throughout its long service life. When properly fastened, the tiles are designed to expand and contract within their own footprint, eliminating any concerns with thermal expansion. This allows the tiles to be trimmed tightly to any vertical obstruction, giving the court a very clean and finished look. It also ensures that your game line dimensions will be accurate regardless of temperature and sun conditions.

The expansion joint technology is one of many reasons Matéflex flooring surfaces are the perfect balance of performance and durability for your next outdoor sports court project.

Question 25

What is futsal sport?

Accepted Answer

Futsal is a variant of soccer played indoors on a hard court surface, typically in a gymnasium or sports hall. The game uses a smaller, low-bounce ball and is played 5-on-5 (including goalkeepers) on a court roughly the size of a basketball court (25-42m x 16-25m). Futsal emphasizes ball control, quick decision-making, and technical skills in a confined space. Matéflex ProGym provides an excellent surface for futsal, offering the firm, consistent ball response the sport demands while providing shock absorption for indoor play.

Question 26

What is Mateflex's Return Policy?

Accepted Answer

Mateflex Tiles Return Policy
At Mateflex, we stand behind the quality and durability of our modular tile products. We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. Please review our return policy below:

Eligibility for Returns:
Unused and Resalable Condition: To be eligible for a return, all Mateflex tiles must be in their original, unused, and resalable condition, including all original packaging. Tiles that have been installed, modified, cut, or show signs of wear and tear are not eligible for return.
Within 30 Days of Receipt: Return requests must be initiated within thirty (30) calendar days from the date you received your order.
Proof of Purchase: A valid proof of purchase, such as your order confirmation email or invoice, is required for all returns.
How to Initiate a Return:
Contact Customer Support: Please contact our Mateflex Customer Support team via email or by phone to initiate your return request. Please provide your order number, the reason for the return, and the exact quantity of tiles you wish to return.
Return Authorization: Our Customer Support team will review your request and, if approved, issue a Return Authorization (RA) number and provide you with detailed return shipping instructions.
Secure Packaging: Carefully repackage the tiles in their original packaging to prevent damage during transit. Clearly write the RA number on the outside of the shipping box.
Return Shipping: The customer will be responsible for arranging and paying for the return shipping costs to Mateflex, 901 Broad Street, Utica, NY 13501. We recommend using a trackable shipping method and insuring your return shipment as we are not responsible for lost or damaged returns.

Inspection and Refunds:
Upon receiving your returned tiles, our team will inspect them to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria outlined above. 
If the return is approved, we will process your refund within 10 business days of receiving the returned material.
Refunds will be issued to the original payment method used for the purchase unless otherwise indicated by Mateflex.
Please note that original shipping charges are non-refundable. A 25% restocking fee may apply to returns. This fee will be deducted from your refund.
Exchanges:We do not offer direct exchanges. If you need a different color, size, or quantity, please return the original items following the return process outlined above and place a new
order for the desired items.

Damaged Tiles:
If you receive damaged tiles, please note it with the shipping company upon delivery and contact our Customer Support immediately with photos and a detailed description of the issue, including the exact number of damaged tiles. We will work with you and the shipping company to resolve the issue promptly. Mateflex is not responsible for damage suffered in transit.

Important Notes:
Materials with custom game lines/logos, or specially manufactured tiles are not eligible for return.
Mateflex reserves the right to refuse any return that does not meet the requirements outlined in this policy.
If you have any questions regarding our return policy, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Support team. We are here to assist you.

Question 27

What is modular gymnasium flooring?

Accepted Answer

Modular gymnasium flooring is a system of interlocking tiles made from high-impact polypropylene. It creates a durable, customizable, low-cost and low-maintenance option for those that are looking for an alternative to more expensive gym flooring options like hardwood or rubber gym flooring.

Question 28

What is the best choice for indoor basketball court flooring?

Accepted Answer

For indoor basketball court flooring, our ProGym and ProGym Plank are ideal solutions. If you’re looking for the best value, you can’t beat ProGym’s 21 standard colors and near bullet-proof performance. And, it is installed over a 3mm rubber underlayment for added cushion and sound dampening. ProGym Plank is another great option that will give you the look and feel of a real wood floor at a fraction of the cost.

Question 29

What is the best outdoor basketball court flooring material?

Accepted Answer

Matéflex III and HomeCourt® are great outdoor basketball court tiles that cover existing court surfaces. Both have perforated designs to allow water to drain through the tiles, making the court dry quicker and getting you back on the court far sooner than traditional surfaces.

Matéflex III and HomeCourt® each have 21 different standard color options. Expansion joint technology allows them to conform to the subsurface and be permanently installed with no concerns about thermal expansion. Matéflex III is a long-standing, strong performer, and HomeCourt® is a more heavy-duty tile with smoother edges for extra safety. Either is an excellent choice for your custom basketball court design.

Design your outdoor basketball court.

Question 30

What is the difference between sports flooring and regular flooring?

Accepted Answer

Sports flooring is specifically engineered for athletic performance and safety. It provides a unique balance of shock absorption (to protect athletes' joints), surface traction (for grip), and ball rebound. Regular commercial or residential flooring does not have these critical performance characteristics.

Question 31

What is the life expectancy of Matéflex flooring?

Accepted Answer

Our courts come with a 15-year warranty but the life expectancy is more than 20 years.

Contact us today for more information.

Question 32

What is the process to build a custom backyard court?

Accepted Answer

First, decide what size court you want and how much space you have available. A good starting point is a 30'x60' court, which gives you room for a full 3-point line on a half basketball court and room for many other popular applications like pickleball, shuffleboard, badminton, and more.

Next, contact Matéflex with your court dimensions. We may have a representative in your area who can help build your court from the ground up, or if you have a local contractor who can get your base installed, Matéflex can provide a fully painted DIY kit.

Either way, Matéflex can walk you through the process for the most cost-effective solution. We can also provide any basketball goals, lights, containment netting, and other court amenities for your project.

Question 33

What type of surface should Matéflex modular flooring tiles be installed over?

Accepted Answer

Concrete or asphalt is preferred, but any solid, smooth, and level surface will work. Please note: Our tiles can be put over crushed stone outdoors, but it is not advised for long-term performance and durability.

Question 34

What type of wood is best for a basketball court?

Accepted Answer

Hard maple is the industry standard for basketball courts due to its exceptional hardness, durability, and shock absorption properties, which help prevent player injuries.