subject: Portable Basketball Goals vs. In Ground – What's the Difference Between These Two Basketball Hoops? [print this page] Portable Basketball Goals vsPortable Basketball Goals vs. In Ground What's the Difference Between These Two Basketball Hoops?
One of the very first decision that you will have to make before you settle on which basketball goal you want is whether you will buy an in ground or a portable. This decision is important because they are built very differently, and have very different constructions. Here are the four factors that you should really consider in your decision.
Stability
Stability just refers to how firm that the basketball system remains after you throw a basketball up against it. In ground basketball hoops are just more stable, and offer better rebound, because they are cemented straight into the ground. This type of installation method keeps the whole system extremely rigid, which leads to just a more stable system overall. If you must go with a portable goal, a way to make it more stable is to get one with the biggest base that you can get, and fill it with
Assembly
Unfortunately, basketball hoops don't come right out of the box assembled. But there are varying degrees of assembling difficulty. If you are genuinely concerned about how difficult it might be to assemble your basketball hoop, then it's probably better to get a portable unit. In ground basketball systems require you to actually mix and pour concrete, and then let it cure for three days before you can actually play on it. With portable units, you just have to assemble it, fill up the base with either sand or water, and then start playing within a matter of hours.
Durability
Durability is a major concern no matter what kind of basketball hoop you are getting. If you are really interested in getting the longest lasting basketball hoop possible, go for an in ground system. Because a cement installation allows for a basketball goal to be heavier overall, manufacturers can use more durable building methods for an in ground system. As a result, you often also see in ground units have longer warantees than portables. While portables can certainly last a long time, an in ground is the best choice if you really want to be able to play for years to come.
HOA Regulations
Before you buy your basketball hoop you might want to check your homeowner's regulations, as there are sometimes statutes that relate to outdoor basketball hoops. For example, there are often regulations against having permanent in ground hoops and having hoops out during the day. If that's the case, then you can just get a portable basketball hoop and keep it in your garage during the day. That way you can still play basketball all you want without facing the ire of your Home owner's association.
