There are three levels of concrete slab tensile strength: plain concrete, reinforced concrete, and post-tension concrete. Post-tension concrete is used on bridges, multi-level buildings, and pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts. Plain and reinforced concrete require expansion and control joints (spaces) or saw-cut joints every few feet. Post-tension slabs, however, use special steel cables that are tightened after the concrete sets to provide extra tensile strength to the slab and protect against serious cracks, without requiring joints of any kind. A post-tension slab is more expensive, but it’s the only option that gives you one even playing surface, while also performing better against, and lasting longer in, Utah’s freeze-thaw cycles.