Did you know that bowling lanes are generally made of three main kinds of materials? If you didn’t, that’s all right. Most players still enjoy the game without knowing these things. So let it not dampen your spirit!
Bowling lanes are usually made of maple, pine, and synthetic wood. Anyway, some lanes may be made of all of these materials, and some might be made of only one or two. Meanwhile, this one-line answer may not be able to satisfy your craving with the question, what are bowling lanes made of?
So, let’s go through the writing below to know each kind of material of bowling lanes and their maintenance. Hopefully, after reading, you will understand their differences well.
Are you ready? Let’s jump right in!
What Are Bowling Lanes Made of and Why?
Maple wood, pine wood, and synthetic materials are mostly used in making bowling lanes. In this section, we have described how and why these materials are used in bowling alleys. Let’s check them out below.
Wood Lanes
The thing you need to know is that, generally, wood lanes are made of two types of wood.
1. Pine Wood
In case you’re wondering, pine is one kind of softwood. You will find it relatively inexpensive as they are plentiful. As a result, the majority of the bowling lanes are made of this material.
In particular, it makes up the center part of the lane between the deck and the spot where the ball strikes the ground.
So you might wonder, “Apart from the fact that it’s abundant, what else is the reason why this material is used?” To answer that question, one big reason to use pine wood is that it does not shrink.
This is the best material for bowling alleys located in regions where the atmosphere is humid or in areas that experience various seasons.
When the humidity and temperatures change outside, you will notice some impact inside the building, too. You won’t find air conditioning in all bowling alleys either. Bummer, right? The temperature outdoors affects their interiors as a result.
When temperatures change, wood tends to shrink or expand. You know very well that’s bad news. This might result in damage or cracks, especially when you toss the bowling balls on that wood.
Pine wood is not like that. Thank heavens! It keeps its shape intact, which ensures a lesser chance of a bowling ball seriously damaging it. That means you will have fewer repairs for the alley and more savings.
Moreover, pine wood is relatively strong, too, making it a good choice for your alley. Although you won’t find it as strong as hardwood, it might still withstand most of the damage caused by bowling balls.
As the cost is relatively lesser, it’s also easier to replace if needed. Now, aren’t you glad pine wood exists?
2, Maple Wood
Maple is the other kind of wood used with pine on bowling alleys. It is a little on the fancy side, so it is usually used solo for bowling alleys and hosting tournaments. Also, if you have a reliable budget, you might use this material entirely on the floors.
However, most people use it with pine wood as it is relatively expensive. You will find maple wood harder and more durable.
It is also more resistant to shock than pine wood, making it perfect for bowling lanes. Because of these characteristics, it can maintain its color and shape for a long time. So, if you think about it, the price tag is totally justified.
This material ensures you don’t have to replace the bowling alleys more often. Thus, it can save money. People who use maple wood on the lanes usually pick the tongue and groove design.
If you are of the creative and resourceful type, you may also do so by either gluing or nailing the design together. This will help you create strong durability for the floor.
It is also a popular material for making alleys as it might undergo multiple sanding. Since wood does not regenerate over time, it may lose some of itself when it’s sanded. Eventually, it becomes thinner and thinner and unusable. That’s quite a downside.
But not to worry! As maple wood has a decent density, you can sand it several times before replacing it. This can also save on costs while ensuring the bowling alley gives bowlers a chance to get the finest lane performance possible.
But why sand the floor in the first place? Is it really necessary? Well, if the floor is not sanded, the performance of a bowler might suffer.
Maple wood is ideal for the sides and just off-center of the bowling lane. It might be a good material to pick if you want the bowling lane to be durable.
Wood Overlays
Wood layers look like traditional wood and add the strength of stronger materials. In the end, it’s not just wood. You’ll notice that some lanes have clear, man-made tops that help to protect the sensitive wood floors below.
Different materials are used to make the synthetic overlays, but most of the time, it is made of a plastic-plastic blend.
Most of the time, the patch is put in the place that gets the most wear. You were right in your guess! By using this method, you can make the lane last longer.
Synthetic Materials
Synthetic material is another material you will see used in bowling lanes. As wood might be expensive to replace and maintain, this alternative becoming popular in making bowling alleys.
Don’t let your eyes fool you! Synthetic flooring may look like wood, but it is made within a lab and factory.
Some bowlers do complain that this kind of flooring can be harder compared to the standard wooden lanes. However, synthetic lanes have advanced, along with bowling technology, over the years.
They are now comparable to the conditions that a bowler may experience on traditional wood floors. So, these days, many bowlers can barely even notice the difference. Why don’t you try examining one yourself and see if you can tell if the material used is synthetic?
Synthetic lanes might be even better in some cases as they wear down much slower than wooden floors. So you won’t have to spend as much money on maintenance of the bowling alley every year. They’re certainly the most economical choice, don’t you agree?
But apart from low cost and higher durability, what else do synthetic lanes offer? Well, here’s the answer to that question. Synthetic floors have an easy-slide texture, which adds to its advantage.
A bowler can find it easier to put more momentum on the bowling ball without using more oil. This will enable them to put more power and thus end up with a strike.
Oh, and one more thing, as synthetic lanes generally last longer, they will look like new ones for a long time. It can keep the visuals of a lane intact, which is crucial for any bowling space.
You can use wood and synthetic material together or make the entire flooring synthetic. Either way, you can totally save money on the maintenance costs. Isn’t that neat?
What Were Early Bowling Lanes Made Of?
We share your insatiable curiosity. If you look into it, you’ll find that wooden lanes were commonly used for bowling in the early days.
Of course, the efficiency and longevity of these lanes couldn’t compare to that of their modern counterparts. This is because, in the past, lanes were frequently constructed from repurposed materials.
Bowling was less pleasant on these lanes since they warped and cracked much more easily. Bowling lanes have come a long way and are now built with more durable materials.
What Is the Difference Between Wood and Synthetic Bowling Lanes?
The synthetic and wood bowling lanes have a few differences. which are:
- Compared to wooden ones, synthetic bowling lanes are more durable. You will find them simpler to keep, and they typically do not show signs of damage.
- Woodmade bowling lanes may warp and crack more than synthetic ones. They need to be regularly oiled and sanded. So the question here is, “Are you prepared to put in all the work to keep their appeal?”
- Wooden bowling lanes look more classic and appealing to most bowlers, which inspires them to practice more.
How Do They Make Bowling Lanes Slippery?
Have you ever wondered how bowling alleys keep their lanes shiny, glossy, and, more importantly, slippery? Well, conditioning properly after cleaning the bowling lanes can help it become slippery. But how do you do just that?
It’s relatively simple, actually. You will need to use different conditioners to make the surfaces of different bowling lanes slippery. You can use a conditioner made of mineral oil or a blend of several synthetic additives.
Conditioning can help the lane be scratch-free by giving proper protection. It prevents dents on the surface and enables the flooring to last longer.
By creating a slippery surface, conditioning ensures that the bowling balls are not slowed down by friction.
And that’s how it’s done!
How Are Bowling Lanes Maintained?
Whatever the material is, you need to maintain the bowling lanes correctly. This ensures the visual is great while keeping the lanes safer and longer lasting.
To keep the bowling alleys in good condition, make sure to do the following:
- Dust the bowling lanes one or two times a day.
- Keep them disinfected.
- Condition them once you clean the lanes thoroughly.
Conclusion
Are you one of those people who overlook bowling lanes easily? Now you know in this article that they are a crucial part of any bowling match.
Their distinctive design is what makes them valuable. The material used in building them affects the bowling performance as well. They could also increase the longevity or appearance of the bowling alley.
So, choosing the right material after studying their differences is an important factor in constructing the bowling surface.