Okay, here’s my blog post about using LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) for a basketball court project:

Alright, so I’ve been messing around with this idea of building a small basketball practice area in my backyard. I didn’t want to go all-out with a full-sized court, just something for shooting hoops and dribbling drills. The big question was: what material to use for the surface?

Choosing the Right Material

Concrete seemed like the obvious choice, but I wasn’t thrilled about the cost and the permanent nature of it. Plus, I’m no concrete expert, and I figured pouring a slab would be a huge pain. I looked into those interlocking plastic tiles, but some reviews talked about them warping in the sun, and I live in a place that gets pretty scorching summers.

Then I stumbled upon this engineered wood called LVL. I’d seen it used for beams and headers in construction, but I never really thought about it as a potential flooring material. It’s basically like super-strong plywood, made by gluing together thin layers of wood. The cool thing is, it’s supposed to be really stable and resistant to warping and twisting. That sounded promising!

My DIY Project Begins

So, I decided to give LVL a shot. I ordered a bunch of sheets from a local lumberyard. I made sure to get the kind that’s treated for outdoor use, just to be safe. My plan was simple: build a basic frame out of pressure-treated lumber, and then lay the LVL sheets on top as the surface.

First, I dug out the area where I wanted the court. Then, I built a rectangular frame using 2x6s. I made sure it was level, and added some cross-braces for extra support. It was like building a giant, low-profile deck.

Next came the LVL. I laid down the sheets, making sure they were tightly butted together. I secured them to the frame with construction adhesive and screws. I staggered the joints between the sheets, just like you would with any kind of flooring, to add strength.

Finishing Touches

It will takes me a couple of weekends to get everything assembled, but I’m a patient man, this is my hobby, right?

I’m also considered about add the weather-resistant sealant to it and paint some lines.

I’m pretty stoked with how it’s turning out. It feels solid underfoot, and it definitely has that “basketball court” bounce. I’ll have to see how it holds up over time, especially with the weather, but so far, I’m calling this a win. It’s a unique, DIY approach, and it’s way more forgiving on the knees than concrete!

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