Okay, here’s my blog post about installing that batten volleyball hard maple wooden flooring:

Alright, so I decided to put in some real nice hard maple flooring for a volleyball court. I’ve always wanted a good court, and the batten system seemed like the way to go for that extra bounce and give. Let me tell you, it was a project, but totally worth it in the end.

Getting Started

First things first, I cleared out the entire area. This wasn’t just a little tidy-up; I mean everything out, down to the bare subfloor. It was a dusty mess, but you gotta start with a clean slate, right?

Then came the measuring. Oh boy, the measuring. I measured and re-measured everything like five times. You want to make sure you get those dimensions right, especially when you’re ordering materials. I used some good old-fashioned measuring tape, and a laser level, to ensure the level.

Laying Down the Battens

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Next up, installing the battens. These are basically the support beams for the flooring. I laid them out according to the plan, making sure they were evenly spaced. This part was crucial because the battens provide that consistent support and springiness you want in a volleyball court.

I screwed the battens down into the subfloor, using some heavy-duty screws. No shortcuts here! I wanted to make sure those suckers weren’t going anywhere. I used a power drill, and pre-drilled.

The Maple Itself

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Now for the star of the show: the hard maple flooring. I carefully unpacked the boards, checking for any damage. They looked beautiful, all smooth and ready to go.

Laying the maple was a bit like putting together a giant puzzle. I started at one end of the room and worked my way across, tapping the boards together with a rubber mallet. You gotta be gentle, but firm, to get those tongue-and-groove joints to fit snugly. No gaps allowed!

I used a flooring nailer to secure the boards to the battens. That thing is a lifesaver, by the way. It made the job so much faster and easier. Pneumatic nailer. Boom, boom, boom – one board after another.

Finishing Touches

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Once all the maple was down, it was time for sanding. This is where you really see the floor come to life. I rented a big floor sander and went over the entire surface multiple times, starting with a coarse grit and working my way down to a fine grit. It created a ton of dust, but the result was a super smooth, even surface.

After sanding, it was time for the finish. I applied several coats of a durable polyurethane finish, letting each coat dry completely before adding the next. This is what protects the wood and gives it that nice shine.

The Final Result

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Finally, I stood back and admired my handiwork. It was a beautiful, professional-looking volleyball court, all thanks to that batten system and some gorgeous hard maple. The bounce was perfect, and the floor felt solid and responsive. It was a lot of work, no doubt, but seeing the finished product made it all worthwhile. I was ready to play, and proud of my new court. I hope you will try it.