If you’re thinking about purchasing an outdoor basketball goal for your home, the first decision you have to make is whether to get one with a glass backboard or an acrylic one. And while you may not think this choice matters very much, the type of backboard you get will come with its own pros and cons that will change the entire experience of using it. In fact, we have listed the backboard as one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a new basketball goal.
Now, you might want to know which of the two choices is better before finalizing your decision. To help you out with this, we’ve put together a short discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of the glass and acrylic backboards. We hope this proves to be useful when it comes to helping you decide which one to get:
Glass Backboards
If it’s any indication of its quality, tempered glass backboards are commonly used for professional play. Whether it is your local high school game or the NBA, glass backboards are often the go-to choice. The reason for this has to do with the fact that glass backboards offer a better rebound surface for the basketball.
Now, one concern you may have in mind when buying a glass backboard is that it’s brittle and may easily shatter upon heavy impact. This would be a valid concern if basketball goal manufacturers still used normal glass, as that was quite prone to shattering. However, most (if not all) basketball backboards today are made using tempered glass. Unlike normal glass, tempered glass fractures into smaller pieces if it ever shatters. This ultimately minimizes the risk of anyone getting hurt in the case that the backboard does break.
Acrylic Backboards
If you’re looking for something that’s more shatter-resistant than glass backboards, then acrylic is definitely the way to go. With that being said, you’ll want to be wary of the thickness of the acrylic that the backboard has, as it has real effects on how the backboard performs.
Thinner acrylic will give way under the pressure of the basketball, which will change the angle that it goes after bouncing off the backboard. This becomes less of an issue with thicker acrylic, but these backboards tend to be much more expensive.
Glass vs. Acrylic
So, which of the two options should you go for? Well, it really depends on your situation. If you’re using the basketball goal for casual play, then either choice would do as they still get the job done. However, if you’re looking to simulate professional environments, the tempered glass backboard will just be the best choice for you. However, if durability is your main concern, then acrylic is the way to go, as it is the most durable out of the two backboard types.
Conclusion
We hope you found this information proves to be useful in helping you decide which backboard to choose. Be sure to properly gauge the backboards depending on your specific situation. When it comes to basketball goals, every minute detail matters, as it will drastically improve performance. This is why you’ll want to put a lot of thought into every choice you make regarding the specifications of a basketball goal.
Quality Hoops is your go-to provider for high-quality basketball goals. Whether it is for schools, gyms, or even your home, our products are suitable for any and all environments, and we even offer free shipping on all orders above $50. For more information on what we have to offer, check out our website today!
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