Okay, here’s my blog post about installing batten basketball engineer board wooden flooring, written from my personal experience:

Alright, folks, let’s dive into this project! I decided to put down some engineered wood flooring specifically designed for a basketball court in my basement. I’ve always wanted a space to shoot some hoops, rain or shine, and this seemed like the perfect solution. I went with a batten system, and let me tell you, it was quite the undertaking, but totally worth it in the end.

Getting Started: The Prep Work

First things first, I had to make sure my concrete subfloor was level. This is crucial. Any dips or bumps would translate directly to the playing surface, and nobody wants a wonky court. I used a self-leveling compound to smooth things out, pouring it on and letting it do its thing. I checked it with a long level, and it was great.

Next up, I laid down a vapor barrier. This is basically a thick plastic sheet that prevents moisture from the concrete seeping up into the wood. I overlapped the seams and taped them down securely. Important to prevent it later.

Building the Batten System

Now for the fun part – building the framework! I used treated lumber for the battens, to make sure that won’t get any moisture, creating a grid pattern across the floor. The spacing between the battens is pretty important – it needs to provide enough support for the flooring but also allow for some airflow. I followed the manufacturer’s recommendations for the spacing, my case is 16 inches.

I used concrete screws to attach the battens to the subfloor. Making sure everything was level and square as I went along. This part took some time, gotta be honest, but it’s the foundation of the whole thing, so I didn’t rush it.

Laying the Engineered Flooring

With the batten system in place, I began laying the engineered wood planks. These things are designed to interlock, which makes installation a bit easier, at least in theory. I started along one wall, using spacers to maintain a consistent gap for expansion and contraction. You know, wood moves with changes in temperature and humidity.

I used a tapping block and a mallet to gently tap the planks together, making sure the joints were nice and tight. A rubber mallet, the black one will leave some marks if don’t be careful. For the end pieces of each row, I had to use a pull bar to get them snug against the wall. There was a lot of measuring, cutting, and fitting, and my saw got a good workout. It is a bit tricky.

Finishing Touches

Once all the flooring was down, I installed baseboards around the perimeter of the room to cover the expansion gap and give it a finished look. A little bit of caulk and some paint, and it looked pretty professional, if I do say so myself.

Finally, I applied a couple of coats of polyurethane specifically designed for sports floors. This protects the wood and gives it that nice, glossy sheen you see on professional courts. Plus, it makes it easier to clean up any spills or scuff marks.

The Result

After all that work, I finally had my own indoor basketball court! It wasn’t a quick or easy project, but seeing the finished product and knowing I did it myself was incredibly satisfying. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go shoot some hoops!