Dartboard Surround
Dartboard Surround – Effective Wall Protection for Your Dart Area
A dartboard surround protects the wall around your dartboard from missed throws and is one of the most popular additions to a home dart setup. Usually made from durable foam, this protective ring is placed directly around the steel dartboard and provides an additional hitting surface outside the actual dartboard.
A dart surround is particularly useful for beginners and hobby players. But even for ambitious players, it ensures a clean, professional dart area and simultaneously protects the wall and dart tips.
At Diplomatgames, you'll find dartboard surrounds in various colors, designs, and styles for your individual dart setup.
What is a Dartboard Surround?
A dartboard surround is a protective ring that is attached around a classic steel dartboard.
If a dart lands just beside the board, the metal tip doesn't hit the wall directly, but rather the material of the surround.
This results in:
- Fewer holes in the wall
- Dart tips being protected from hard wall impacts
- Missed throws being caught
- The dart area being visually enhanced
The surround thus significantly extends the protected area around the dartboard.
Why is a Dart Surround useful?
Even experienced dart players don't hit every dart within the board. Especially when throwing at outer double fields, darts can land next to the board.
Without wall protection, every missed throw can leave visible holes or damage.
A surround is therefore an easy way to protect the area around the dartboard without having to mount a large protective plate on the wall.
Easy Installation Without Drilling
One of the biggest advantages of classic dartboard surrounds is their uncomplicated installation.
Many models are simply pushed over the outer edge of the dartboard. Due to the suitable shape or tension of the material, the surround then holds directly to the board.
Therefore, typically:
- no additional screws
- no drill holes
- no complicated brackets
are necessary.
This also allows the surround to be quickly removed or replaced.
What material are dartboard surrounds made of?
Many modern surrounds are made of a dense foam or a similar elastic material.
This material offers several advantages:
- low weight
- good absorption of dart tips
- high durability
- easy installation
- wall protection
- uncomplicated transport
If a steel dart tip hits the surround, it penetrates the material and is caught there.
Does every surround fit every dartboard?
Many classic surrounds were developed for steel dartboards of regular tournament size and are therefore compatible with numerous common boards.
Nevertheless:
Not every surround automatically fits every dartboard.
Especially with unusual board dimensions, special casings, or electronic dartboards, compatibility should be checked before purchase.
The respective product specifications provide information on which dartboards the surround is intended for.
Surround or large dartboard wall protection?
In addition to classic surround rings, there are larger wall protection solutions.
Classic Dartboard Surround
The surround sits directly around the board.
Advantages:
- compact
- quickly installed
- low weight
- professional appearance
- sufficient for most players
Large Wall Protection / Catch Ring
Larger protection systems cover a significantly larger area around the dartboard.
They are particularly suitable for:
- absolute beginners
- children and teenagers
- shared dart areas
- particularly sensitive walls
- players who want maximum protection
Which option is more sensible depends on the available space and the likelihood of larger missed throws.
Combine Dartboard Surround and Lighting
A surround can be excellently combined with dartboard lighting in many dart setups.
The surround is located directly around the board and protects the wall. The lighting system is attached to the board, the surround, or via its own bracket, depending on the model.
This creates a complete setup consisting of:
Steel dartboard + Surround + LED lighting
This not only provides better wall protection but also ensures uniform and shadow-free illumination of the dartboard.
Various Colors and Designs
A dartboard surround not only serves a practical function. It also shapes the look of the entire dart area.
Depending on the manufacturer, numerous colors and designs are available.
Popular variations include:
- Black
- Red
- Blue
- Green
- Gray
- White
- multicolored designs
- manufacturer logos
- player editions
This allows the surround to be chosen to match the dartboard, the lighting, or the dart room's decor.
Printed Dartboard Surrounds
In addition to classic monochrome variants, there are printed surrounds with logos, lettering, or special designs.
These are particularly suitable for players who want to visually individualize their dart area.
Printed surrounds can also be an interesting option for club rooms, dart clubs, or individually designed dart rooms.
Does a surround also protect the dart tips?
Yes – at least indirectly.
If a steel dart hits a hard wall without a surround, the tip can:
- become blunt
- bend
- be damaged
- in the worst case, break
The softer material of a surround catches the dart much more gently.
Thus, a surround not only protects the wall but can also reduce damage to dart tips from hard wall impacts.
How big should a dartboard surround be?
The required size depends on how much area around the board needs to be protected.
For most hobby and league players, a classic surround that extends the board by several centimeters all around is sufficient.
Beginners, children, or very inexperienced players, on the other hand, can benefit from a larger protective area.
It is also important that the inner diameter matches the dartboard used.
Which color is suitable?
The color is primarily a matter of taste.
A black dartboard surround looks neutral and can be combined with almost any board.
Colored variants, on the other hand, can be specifically used as a visual accent.
Those who also use LED dartboard lighting should consider that very light and very dark materials can reflect light differently.
Who is a dartboard surround suitable for?
A surround is generally useful for almost any private steel dart area.
It is particularly recommended for:
- Beginners
- Hobby players
- Families
- Clubs
- Dart rooms
- Rental apartments
- Players with sensitive walls
Even experienced players benefit from the professional appearance and additional protection.
Correctly mounting the dartboard surround
With classic models, assembly is particularly easy:
- Securely mount the dartboard to the wall.
- Carefully slide the surround over the dartboard.
- Align evenly around the board.
- Check that the surround is secure.
- If necessary, mount lighting.
Since many surrounds hold directly to the board, no additional fasteners are usually necessary.
Rotate the dartboard surround regularly
Depending on the style of play, certain areas of the surround may be hit more often than others.
In this case, it may be useful to rotate the surround occasionally. This distributes missed throws over different areas and the material is used more evenly.
This can extend the service life, especially with frequent training.
Dartboard Surround as part of a complete dart setup
A professional-looking dart area can be put together step by step.
A popular combination consists of:
- high-quality steel dartboard
- dartboard surround
- LED dartboard lighting
- dart mat or oche
- scoreboard
- dart stand or wall mount
The surround is one of the simplest ways to enhance the dart area both functionally and visually.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dartboard Surrounds
Do I need a dartboard surround?
It is not absolutely essential. However, for a home dart area, it is highly recommended as it protects the wall from missed throws.
Does a surround need to be screwed to the wall?
Many classic models are simply pushed over the dartboard and do not require additional wall mounting.
Does a surround fit every steel dartboard?
Many models fit regular-sized dartboards. However, before purchasing, you should still check the specified dimensions and compatibility.
Can I use a surround with dartboard lighting?
Yes. Many modern lighting systems are designed to be combined with a surround. The exact compatibility depends on the specific model.
Can I use a dartboard surround for soft darts?
Classic surrounds are primarily designed for steel dartboards. For electronic dartboards, dimensions and casings differ significantly, so compatibility must be checked individually.
Buy Dartboard Surround Online
Whether classic black, matching the color of your dart setup, or with an eye-catching design – at Diplomatgames you will find dartboard surrounds for different requirements.
Reliably protect your wall from missed throws and complement your dart area with a high-quality dart surround. In combination with a steel dartboard and suitable LED lighting, you create a functional and professional-looking setup for your dart training at home.
