- The type of backboard necessary depends on its use. Whether for recreational play, light practice or serious games, there are different styles. Most frequently used are acrylic and tempered glass backboards.
- Acrylic backboards come in several different sizes of thickness and are made up of plastic material. The most common are three-eighths of an inch thick. However, half-inch-thick backboards provide a better bounce, resulting in a better overall quality of play.
- Tempered glass typically weighs about four to six times more than acrylic backboards. Being heavier provides much more resistance to movement, which is desirable for a backboard. It is the superior material used to make backboards.
- Tempered glass is typically favored over acrylic because of numerous factors such as being more scratch-resistant, easily cleaned and managed and the overall excellent play and bounce given from the glass.
- For play in the NBA, NCAA and other professional arenas around the world, tempered glass is used. The NBA and NCAA use a half-inch-thick backboard.
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