Okay, so I’ve been wanting to set up a little volleyball area in my backyard for a while now. I didn’t want anything super permanent, and I definitely wanted something that felt good underfoot. That’s where the idea for a portable wooden floor came in. And, let me tell you, it was a bit of a project, but totally worth it!

First, I measured out the space I wanted to use. I didn’t need a full-size court, just enough room for some casual games. I settled for a medium area. After I know how much area i wanna cover, I can calculate the floor and cushion I need.

Choosing the Materials

This was the tricky part. I needed something durable, weather-resistant (to a degree, anyway), and, of course, portable. After some back and forth, I went with:

• Cushions: I found these interlocking foam tiles. I figured they’d provide some good shock absorption, which is super important for volleyball.
• Oak Planks: Oak is pretty tough, and it looks nice. I got planks that were a decent thickness – I didn’t want them warping or cracking.

So, after getting all the wood and cushions, I started by laying down the foam tiles. It went together, because they have interlock.

Then came the slightly more involved part: the wooden flooring. I laid the oak planks over the foam, making sure to stagger the seams, just like you would with a regular floor. This helps with stability and makes it look a lot better.

I decided against permanently fixing the planks together. The whole point was portability, right? So, instead, I used the weight of the planks themselves, along with the interlocking foam underneath, to hold everything in place. It seems works!

The first time we played on it, it felt amazing! The foam gave it just enough bounce and cushioning, and the oak felt solid and smooth. And it looks pretty good, if I do say so myself.

When I’m done, I just stack the planks and roll up the foam tiles. It’s surprisingly easy to store, and I can set it up again in no time. It’s not perfect, and I’m sure there are better ways to do it, but for a DIY project, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out!