Okay, here’s my attempt at a blog post about installing batten basketball hard timber, written in a casual, personal style, and following all your instructions:

Alright, so I decided to tackle this project – laying down some hard timber for a little basketball practice area. I’d been dreaming about it for ages, and finally, it was time to get it done!

First things first, I had to get the area ready. This was the boring part – clearing out all the junk, leveling the ground as much as I could. I’m no pro, so it wasn’t perfectly flat, but I figured it was good enough for my amateur skills.

Next up, the battens. These are the wooden strips that the actual floorboards sit on. I picked up a bunch of treated pine ones, ’cause they need to withstand moisture and all that. I spaced them out evenly, using a measuring tape and a whole lot of eyeballing. Let’s just say I’m not a perfectionist.

Laying the battens down was pretty straightforward. I just used some heavy-duty screws and my trusty drill. I made sure they were kinda level, using a spirit level here and there. Again, not perfect, but close enough.

• Cleared the area.
• Got the treated pine battens.
• Spaced them out (kinda evenly).
• Screwed them down.

Then came the fun part – the hard timber! I chose some beautiful, pre-finished boards. They were tongue-and-groove, which means they slot together nice and snug. It’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle!

Starting from one edge, I began laying down the boards. I hammered them together gently, making sure the tongues and grooves were properly engaged. It’s actually quite satisfying hearing that “thunk” as they lock into place.

I staggered the boards. This is important to * the boards made the floor strong.

As I got closer to the opposite edge, I realized I needed to cut some boards to fit. I borrowed a circular saw from my neighbor (thanks, Bob!) and carefully measured and cut the final pieces. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but I managed to get it done without losing any fingers.

Finally, after a couple of days of work (and plenty of breaks), the hard timber floor was down! It looked awesome, even if I do say so myself. I gave it a quick sweep and stood back to admire my handiwork.

It’s not professional-grade, but it’s solid, it’s level-ish, and it’s perfect for shooting some hoops. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go break it in!