Why I Even Started This Mess

So yeah, it all kicked off when my family got super obsessed with volleyball after watching the Olympics on TV. We’ve got this crummy backyard space, just dirt and weeds everywhere, and I thought, why not make it into a mini court? I mean, it sounded fun at the time, save some cash by doing it myself instead of paying pros. Only problem: I ain’t rich, so it had to be cheap as dirt, or at least cheaper than hiring someone.

Figuring Out What to Buy

I jumped online, digging around for anything that wouldn’t break the bank. Rubber stuff kept popping up for volleyball courts—I remembered seeing gym floors with it, thought it might be good for bouncing and not wrecking knees. Then there was this “parquet” thing, which I learned is just fancy talk for wood pieces fitted together like a puzzle. Sounded cool, like those old-school basketball courts, but hey, it don’t have to be pricey.

• First, I looked at rubber tiles ’cause they’re soft and waterproof, like for indoor gyms.
• Next, parquet wood pieces? Yeah, those can be glued down and look kinda posh.
• Even found vinyl planks that snap together easy—I’m all about simple and quick.

Honestly, the options were a blur: rubber for grip, wood for that classic feel, all while keeping costs low. Ended up mixing stuff ’cause why not?

Buying the Darn Things

Okay, shopping time. Went to a local store, not online ’cause I hate waiting for deliveries. Told the guy my plan: backyard volleyball court, cheap as chips. He showed me rubber sheets that felt tough—said they’d last long and not crack when we jump around. Also, picked out some parquet wood tiles ’cause I liked how they looked stacked up. Only paid around a buck per piece, grabbed a bunch to cover the space. Saved extra by skipping fancy adhesives and just using basic glue I had lying around.

Putting It All Together – the Real Sweat Part

Started by clearing the yard, raking dirt flat—took all day, my back was killing me. Then laid down the rubber sheets first, unrolling and cutting ’em with a box cutter. Messed up a few times, had to redo the corners ’cause they wouldn’t stay put. Next, slapped on the parquet wood tiles over the rubber, one by one, sticking ’em down with glue. Used a mallet to hammer ’em tight, but some pieces didn’t fit right—had to shave ’em with a saw (felt like a caveman doing that). Got my neighbor to help lift the heavy bits when I nearly pulled a muscle. Whole thing took weekends, with loads of coffee breaks to stay sane.

When Stuff Went Wrong – Ugh

Ran into troubles, no surprise. The glue didn’t hold well on one side, tiles started wobbling after a rainstorm. Also, the rubber underneath shifted, making gaps that tripped us during a test game. I almost chucked it all in the bin! Fixed it by adding more rubber strips to pad things out and reglued with stronger stuff I borrowed from a pal. Not perfect, but hey, what is?

How It Works Now and My Takeaway

Finally got it done, and it actually plays great. The rubber helps with jumps, bounces feel soft, and the parquet wood looks sharp. Saved a bundle by DIYing it—way less than new courts I saw advertised. Still, it ain’t pro-level; we got some squeaky spots and uneven bits when it rains. But for family fun? Totally worth the headache. Lesson learned: cheap options can work if you’re patient and don’t mind a few hiccups. Just do it step by step, and you’ll get there.