DIY: Replacing a basketball backboard

Are you thinking about replacing a basketball backboard that has been damaged or perhaps you are planning to make a new one from scratch? Polycarbonate is the ideal material to use for this project. It makes a safe, vandal-proof alternative to a glass basketball backboard.

# 1. A polycarbonate basketball backboard will not break

Did you know that polycarbonate is 250 times as strong as standard glass? A good choice of material for a basketball backboard that has to stand up to a lot of hard knocks. Also useful as a vandal-resistant solution for basketball boards on public basketball courts.

Basketball backboard polycarbonate

Basketball backboard polycarbonate backside

# 2. A transparent basketball backboard looks good

The advantage of a transparent basketball backboard is that you can see through it clearly and it is not dominant. And of course, it just looks good. If you’d like to make a transparent basketball backboard, you can opt for either clear polycarbonate or clear acrylic sheet. Acrylic sheet is twice as light as standard glass and is 30 x stronger. However, it’s less shock-resistant than polycarbonate. If you want to make a basketball backboard that is 100% vandal-proof, the best option is polycarbonate.

# 3. Polycarbonate basketball backboards are perfect for outdoors

Both polycarbonate and acrylic are UV and weather-resistant. Thanks to these properties, your replacement baseball backboard will be resistant to weathering and yellowing and you can use it outside all year round.

Basketball field with polycarbonateveld met polycarbonaat back board
Basket ball field overview

# 4. Polycarbonate basketball backboards are fire retardant

Another advantage of a polycarbonate basketball backboard is that it is fire-resistant. Polycarbonate is flame-inhibiting, with a fire class of B1, so a polycarbonate basketball backboard won’t burn with an open flame. Quite the opposite: polycarbonate is self-extinguishing.

# 5. Polycarbonate is easy to work with

It’s easy to saw, mill, glue and drill polycarbonate. Very handy if you want to replace a broken basketball board and need to process this material.

Ordering polycarbonate to make a replacement basketball backboard

You can order polycarbonate in a range of different colours, thicknesses and dimensions from our webshop. We will saw all sheets to size for you free of charge. The official measurements of a basketball backboard are 1.80 metres wide x 1.05 metres high. You could also make a smaller child’s version: for example 110 cm wide x 70 cm high. In this case, you’d need a 6mm thick polycarbonate sheet. Not sure about the thickness? Check out our free thickness calculator.

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