Watching the game of basketball, viewers probably don’t give much thought to what kind of backboard is being used. The backboard is, in fact, one of the most important parts of a basketball system. Although glass backboards have long been considered the best backboards, acrylic backboards have many of the same features.
If you are several feet away and looking at a board, you may not be able to tell the difference between an acrylic and a glass one. Both are clear, both come in the same sizes, and both have the shooter’s square and contour markings. When you throw the ball and look for a rebound, that’s where you see the difference.
Glass backboards are the backboards used by professionals. Professional-style tabletops are made of ½-inch-thick tempered glass. The outline of the tabletop and the shooter’s square are etched into the glass so they don’t wear off. A regulation size backboard is 42″ x 72″, but glass backboards come in many different sizes. They are resistant to dents and scratches and do not collect dust.
What’s good about glass? The main reason professionals love glass is because of the way the ball interacts with glass. Rebounds bounce back immediately and crisply. There is virtually no reverberation with glass. Glass won’t dent, so there’s no need to worry about the ball hitting a dent or groove. Players know exactly what to expect from a glass backboard.
One of the only drawbacks to a glass top is the possibility of breaking. Although breaking a backboard is not the goal of a slam dunk, it is possible with enough force to break a glass backboard. With breakaway goals, the probability is lower, but still possible. There are certain types of glass tops available that are guaranteed not to break. However, the risk of breaking does not compare with the excellent interaction of the ball.
Recently, acrylic boards have come into play. Backboards that are made of cast acrylic are very similar to glass backboards, but less expensive. Cast acrylic is one of the strongest forms of acrylic manufactured today. It is virtually resistant to teeth. Most acrylic boards come with steel frames for added stability. This framework is very important for proper interaction with the ball.
For a glass-top-like feel, look for a ½-inch-thick acrylic top. If the acrylic is too thick, the ball will not respond in the same way. Although acrylic tabletops are less expensive, they will need to be replaced sooner than a glass tabletop. They are also more difficult to keep clean as dirt can get into the grooves.
If you’re on a budget, an acrylic board will definitely do the job. It has a good interaction with the ball and is durable and resistant. But, if you’re looking for greater durability and more consistency, a glass top is the way to go.