So I heard this rubber basketball lvl larch timber stuff was supposed to be amazing for outdoor projects, especially stuff that needs to handle weather. Figured I’d test it myself since my backyard shed needed new shelves. Grabbed my tools and went to work.

Getting Started

First, I drove to the lumber yard and asked for their best rubber basketball lvl larch. Guy looked confused – turns out it’s officially called “rubberized larch composite” but everyone just says rubber basketball lvl in builders forums. Whatever. Bought two planks about this long.

The Building Mess

Started cutting the planks for shelf sizes using my regular saw. Blade got stuck halfway through! Turns out this timber has rubber layers sandwiched between larch wood. Had to dig out my carbide-tipped blade and it still took extra elbow grease. Sweat pouring down my neck at this point.

• Measure three times? Nah, measured twice and still messed up the first cut
• Drilled pilot holes because this stuff splits easy near the rubber layers
• Sawdust smelled like burnt tires mixed with pine trees – weird combo

Results After Rain Test

Put the shelves in my shed two weeks ago. Then came monsoon season. Normal wood would’ve warped already, but check this out:

• Zero swelling even when rain blew sideways into the shed
• Dirt wipes off with dry rag where it stuck on regular wood before
• My basketball bounced off it like concrete when I dropped one accidentally

The Ugly Part

Here’s the kicker though – price tag made my wallet scream. Paid 3x more than regular lumber. Worth it? Only if you’re building something that takes serious beating. I’d use it again for outdoor gear like basketball hoops or garden furniture. Shelves? Overkill unless you’re storing bowling balls.

Final thought: It works as advertised but feels like building with frozen rubber tires. Next time I’m wearing knee pads and better gloves – splinters from this stuff itch for days.