Okay, here’s my blog post about installing batten volleyball rubber tree wooden flooring, written in a casual, personal style:
Alright, so I decided to get this project going. I’ve always wanted a good, solid floor for the indoor volleyball area, and I figured, “Why not go all out?” I’d seen some beautiful rubber tree wood flooring, the kind with battens, and I thought it would look incredible and be perfect for the bounce and feel.
Getting Started
First things first, I needed to clear out the whole space. That was a workout in itself! Moving all that stuff around was like preparing the land before the actual farming, you know? After clearing the space, I cleaned the subfloor. A clean space to start with is important. It was just an old concrete slab, so I needed to make sure it was super level. I used a self-leveling compound – poured it on, spread it around, and waited for it to dry. It took a little bit of time, but I can tell you I made sure it was perfectly flat.
Next, I measured the whole area very carefully. I didn’t want to end up short on materials halfway through, that is so annoying. With the measurements in hand, I started laying out the battens. These are basically the strips of wood that the actual flooring planks will attach to. They create a framework and give the floor some extra spring and stability, which is nice for volleyball.
Laying the Battens
I arranged the battens perpendicular to the direction I wanted the floorboards to run. This is pretty standard practice. Then, I grabbed my drill and started screwing them into the concrete. It’s important to use the right kind of screws for concrete, by the way. I used some heavy-duty ones to make sure everything was super secure. Checked all the levels, to ensure the whole setup would be perfect.
- Make sure the spaces between the battens are all consistent.
- double-check the levels as you go, to avoid any bumps or dips later on.
Installing the Flooring
Once the battens were all set, it was time for the main event – laying down the rubber tree wood planks. I started from one wall and worked my way across. Each plank had a tongue and groove system, so they fit together pretty snugly. I used a rubber mallet to tap them into place, making sure there weren’t any gaps.
For the edges, I had to cut some of the planks to fit. I used a circular saw for this, and it worked like a charm. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking making those cuts, but I took my time, and it all worked out fine.
The Finishing Touches
After all the planks were down, I gave the whole floor a good sanding. This made everything super smooth and even. Then, I applied a few coats of polyurethane sealant. This protects the wood and gives it a nice, glossy finish. It also makes it more resistant to spills and wear and tear, which is great for a sports area. I made sure that the surface was nice and smooth.
Finally I made the last touches, such as paintings, and made sure to keep the place clean.
And that’s it! It was a decent amount of work, but seeing the finished product made it all worthwhile. It looks amazing, and it feels great to play on. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, I’d say go for it – just be prepared to put in some elbow grease!