Okay, here’s my blog post about installing batten basketball solid assembly wooden flooring, written in the style you requested:

Alright, folks, let’s talk about this flooring project I tackled. I wanted that classic, solid wood feel for my home basketball court, and I went with a batten system. Here’s how it went down, step-by-step, warts and all.

Prepping the Subfloor

First things first, I had to get the concrete subfloor ready. This involved a good, thorough cleaning. I swept, vacuumed, and even scrubbed the heck out of it to get rid of any dust, debris, or anything that could mess with the installation.

I used a level to check floor’s surface to see whether it’s flat enough. Any major dips or humps? I needed to address those. I used some self-leveling compound to fill in the low spots. Poured it in, let it spread, and waited for it to dry. Sanded down any high spots. Took some time, but a flat subfloor is KEY.

Laying Down the Battens

Next up, the battens. These are basically the wooden strips that create the framework for the flooring.

I used pressure-treated lumber for the battens, you know, to resist any moisture and potential rot.

I started laying them out, making sure they were spaced correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This is SUPER important for proper support and to avoid any squeaks later on.

I secured the battens to the concrete using concrete screws. Drilled pilot holes, then drove those screws in. Made sure they were nice and snug, but not over-tightened, which could crack the wood.

Installing the Flooring

Now for the fun part – putting down the actual floorboards!

I started at one wall and worked my way across the room. I used a chalk line to make sure my first row was perfectly straight.

Each board got nailed down to the battens. I used a flooring nailer, which made the job SO much easier. Pneumatic nailer – pshew, pshew – done!

I made sure to leave a small expansion gap around the perimeter of the room. Wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity, and you gotta give it room to breathe, or you’ll end up with buckling.

Finishing Touches

Once all the boards were down, I gave the floor a good sanding. Started with a coarse grit, then moved to finer grits to get a nice, smooth surface.

Then came the staining and sealing. I chose a stain that gave the wood a rich, warm tone, and then applied several coats of polyurethane to protect it from wear and tear. Applied the stain, let it dry, applied the sealant, let that dry. Rinse and repeat a few times.

The Result (and Some Lessons Learned)

The finished product? A beautiful, solid wood basketball court floor that feels amazing underfoot.

It was a lot of work, and I definitely learned a few things along the way:

• Patience is key. Rushing any part of this process will just lead to problems down the road.
• Measure twice, cut once. (Or in this case, measure twice, nail once!)
• Don’t skimp on the prep work. A solid foundation is crucial for a long-lasting floor.
• Rent the right tools. That flooring nailer was a lifesaver.

Overall, I’m super happy with how it turned out. It was a challenging project, but totally worth it. If you’re thinking about tackling something similar, go for it! Just be prepared to put in the time and effort, and don’t be afraid to ask for help (or watch a ton of YouTube videos, like I did!).