How to Build An Oyster Shell Bocce Court
The following is a step-by-step guide that walks you through Boccemon's tried-and-true method for installing your own oyster shell bocce court.
While there are many options for perimeter materials like concrete curbs, custom stone surrounds, or post-and-plank assemblies, we’ve found that oversized timbers are the most DIY friendly method, so that’s what we recommend anytime someone is going to tackle their own bocce court installation.
Materials & Tools
Perimeter: 6x6” pressure-treated timbers
Court Base: Drain rock, geotextile fabric, and road base
Trim: Composite decking for court ends, wood or composite top cap
Hardware: 30” rebar stakes, screws and other fasteners
Court Surface: Boccemon Oyster Blend, of course!
For material handling: Shovels, rakes, wheelbarrow, compacting equipment
For perimeter assembly: Drill, saw, sledgehammer, impact driver
For quality control: Level or string level, string, screeding boards
Prepare the Site
Clear and level the area.
Excavate to match the timber size for the perimeter base.
Build the Foundation
Install the Perimeter Base: Create a rectangle with the timbers. Connect corners and lengths with lap joints and secure to the ground with rebar stakes. The inside dimensions of this rectangle will be the size of your bocce court.
Add Extra Drainage (if needed): Add perforated pipe inside the drain rock layer if the court is in a very wet area or at the bottom of a slope.
Build the Court Base: Begin with a level layer of drain rock. Cover with geotextile fabric. Add a layer of road base on top of the fabric and screed to level it. Saturate the road base with water and then compact firmly. These layers should be level with the top of the perimeter base.
Construct the Court
Install the Perimeter Frame: Create the court perimeter by adding another layer of timbers directly on top of the perimeter base. Drill through both timber layers to secure the perimeter to the base and the ground below with rebar stakes.
Add Liners: Line inside ends of the perimeter with composite decking.
Optional Trim: Cap the top of the court perimeter with wood or composite boards if desired.
Apply the Playing Surface
Add Surface Material: Spread Boccemon Oyster Blend evenly across the compacted road base and compact with a roller or plate compactor.
Water the Court: Saturate the court surface in small sections, allowing water to drain through each time.
Compact the Surface: After the whole court has been thoroughly saturated, compact the surface a second time with the roller or plate compactor.
Add Finishing Touches
Comfort: Add benches, shade, and lighting.
Equipment: Install a scoreboard and add storage.
Ambiance: Use landscaping features to put the final polish on your new court.
Ready to get started? Request a quote!
Want a free, detailed instruction manual for building your own oyster shell court?
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