Okay, folks, let’s dive into my little weekend project: putting together a batten basketball sleeper assembly for a wooden floor. Nothing fancy, just getting it done.

Getting Started

First things first, I gathered all my materials. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing; I’d been planning it for a bit. I picked up a bunch of 2x4s for the battens – the long pieces that run across the floor. And, of course, the sleepers – they are like supports. Then the plywood for the actual flooring surface. I already had a good supply of screws, construction adhesive, and the usual tools: circular saw, drill, measuring tape, level, that kind of stuff.

Laying Out the Battens

Next, I cleared out the space completely. This is super important! You don’t want to be tripping over stuff while you’re working. Then, I started laying out the battens. I decided on a 16-inch on-center spacing, which means the center of one batten to the center of the next is 16 inches. It’s a pretty standard spacing for good support. I marked everything out with a chalk line – gotta have those straight lines!

Cutting and Setting

Then it was time to get cutting. I used my good, old, trusty circular saw. Cutted all the 2×4 according my needs. After checking all the measurements, begin to setting them.

Securing the Sleepers

Now, for the sleepers. These are crucial because they give that extra bit of “bounce” and cushioning that you want for a basketball floor. They basically sit between the battens. I used 2 inches thick rubber pads for sleepers.I cut them into smaller pieces to fit snugly between the battens. This part was a little tedious, but I just took my time and made sure everything was nice and level. I used a generous amount of construction adhesive on the bottom of each sleeper to keep them in place. No skimping on the glue!

Attaching the Plywood

Once the adhesive was dry (I gave it a good 24 hours, just to be safe), it was time for the plywood. I laid down the first sheet, making sure it lined up perfectly with the edges of the batten frame. Then, I screwed it down. I used plenty of screws, probably more than I needed, but I wanted to make sure it was super solid. No squeaks or creaks allowed!

The Finishing Touches

I continued this process, sheet by sheet, until the entire floor was covered. Then, I went back and filled all the screw holes with wood filler. After that dried, I gave the whole thing a good sanding to make sure it was smooth and even. I might add a coat of polyurethane later to protect the wood, but for now, I’m calling it done!

• Clear the space.
• Measure and mark batten placement.
• Cut the sleepers.
• Apply adhesive and set sleepers.
• Attach plywood with screws.
• Fill screw holes and sand.
• Optional: Apply a protective finish.

It wasn’t the fastest project, but it was definitely satisfying to see it all come together. Now I’ve got a decent little practice area. Not professional-grade or anything, but perfect for my needs!