Clay

Siméon courts have accumulated unmatched experienced in this field since 1952. The company rigorously selects material complying with the standards in force excluding any other source, which guarantees the foundations of reliable construction.

The essential qualities of clay courts are their softness and their longevity.

A well-drained foundation designed according to the nature of the soil and the landscape will guarantee the long life of the court. Complex clay consists of a base of cinders or pozzuolana and a specific chalk, which form the playing surface itself covered by a fine layer of crushed brick.

The cinders come from burning coke that is then washed and sorted. Thanks to its hollowness this material retains the damp, which it then feeds to the upper layer of chalk to ensure its softness.

The playing surface is made of finely crushed sand called craon, which comes exclusively from the Saint Maxime quarries in the Oise (just outside Paris). This surface is levelled and adjusted by hand until a perfectly laid surface with a slightly curved shape is achieved to facilitate the evacuation of water, and also to prevent the natural holes caused by the frequency of games.
The traditional red/ochre colour is obtained by spraying and incorporating successive layers of red fine-top dressing.

Lines can be traced using the traditional methods with linseed oil, paint or latex or by using profiled perforated plastic lines.

Automatic watering can also be installed thus eliminating any need for humidification.

Clay courts need periodic maintenance, and a yearly revamp is necessary after the rigours of winter. This spring revamp is done by scarifying the surface down to the cinders and then reprofiling the court, compacting it, colouring it and laying out the tram lines. The Siméon technicians look after this operation and carry it out with the same care as the installation itself. A maintenance man can also be trained by our teams who will teach him what to do as well as the tricks of the trade for this specific surface.