HydroGrid Clay Court Construction

HydroGrid® Clay Court Construction

Back in 1987, General Acrylics constructed Arizona's very first HydroGrid® clay courts. Irrigation specialists designed and patented the HydroGrid® system with one goal in mind: fast-drying tennis courts. It feeds water precisely to the playing surface and gets the most out of fast-dry courts by holding a steady, even moisture level through the base material across the whole court.

Every HydroGrid® installation includes a full six inches of base material, confirmed by an independent testing laboratory. That lets the right amount of water rise from the base to the clay surface through capillary action, so no pressurized lines are needed beneath the court.

Since the first HydroGrid® installation in 1991, nearly 2,000 HydroGrid® tennis courts have gone in around the world. No other patented subsurface irrigation system can point to a record like that.

Why Choose a HydroGrid® Clay Court

No Down Time! Routine watering never closes the courts. Since water comes from below, play carries on even while the court is being watered.
Water Savings! The system's efficient design halves water use. You save from day one, and the savings grow substantially over the court's lifetime.
Maintenance Friendly! With less surface erosion, you replace less surface material, which halves both maintenance time and expense.
Pays For Itself! HydroGrid® courts usually pay for themselves in 2.5 to 3 years and continue saving money for years afterward.
User Friendly! The off-court control box is simple to run, so you can set watering times and amounts for automatic day or night cycles.
Cooler Courts! The playing surface can run twenty percent cooler or more than hard courts, which makes a big difference for player comfort in hot climates.
Fine Tuning! Small dial adjustments let you make the court wetter or dryer to suit your preference. A wetter court slows the ball and encourages longer rallies, while a dryer court promotes faster play.

You can round out your project with fencing, lighting, windscreens, and other amenities.

How the HydroGrid® Clay Court System Works

Rather than relying on pressurized lines buried under the court, the HydroGrid® system supplies water from beneath the playing surface. A full six inches of base material is installed and independently tested, so moisture spreads evenly through the base and rises to the clay surface by capillary action. That steady, uniform moisture keeps a fast-dry court consistent from end to end.

Watering From Below

Since watering happens from below, routine watering never takes the court out of play. An off-court control box lets operators set watering times and amounts, including automatic day or night cycles.

Adjusting Court Speed

Small dial adjustments make the court wetter or dryer. A wetter court slows the ball and encourages longer rallies; a dryer court speeds up play.

Let's Talk

Have questions or want to schedule a free, no-obligation site visit? Get in touch with the professionals at General Acrylics. Call 602-569-9377 or send a message with the button below, and one of our customer service representatives will follow up with you.

Licensed - Bonded - Insured
Arizona D # ROC077085 # ROC034868
Nevada g # 0059476
New Mexico f # 30964
Utah r # 7406753-5501
Idaho x # PWC-C-12674-A-4

Frequently Asked Questions About Clay Courts

What is a HydroGrid® clay court?

HydroGrid® is a patented subsurface irrigation system built for fast-dry clay tennis courts. It maintains a controlled, uniform moisture level through the base material so the clay surface stays playable without pressurized lines beneath the court.

Does watering a clay court shut it down?

No. HydroGrid® courts are watered from below and can stay in play during watering, so routine watering does not require down time.

How does a HydroGrid® court save water?

The efficiency of the system design cuts water usage in half compared with conventional watering, and the savings begin on day one.

Can the speed of a clay court be adjusted?

Yes. Minimal dial adjustments make the court wetter or dryer. A wetter court encourages a slower ball speed and longer rallies, while a dryer court encourages faster play.

Are clay courts cooler than hard courts?

The playing surface can be twenty percent cooler or more compared to hard courts, which adds to player comfort in hotter climates.

What other amenities can be added to a clay court project?

Fencing, lighting, windscreens, and other amenities can be included alongside the clay court construction.

General Acrylics

22222 N. 22nd Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Toll Free: (800) 436-2279
Phone: (602) 569-9377
Fax: (623) 298-1310

HydroGrid® clay courts suit clubs, schools, and parks that want fast-dry play without constant hand watering. General Acrylics handles the full project, from the tested base and subsurface irrigation to the finishing amenities that complete the facility.

HydroGrid Clay Court Construction by General Acrylics