Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this idea for a basketball court in my backyard. I’m not talking about a full-size court, just something decent for shooting hoops and practicing.

I started looking into different materials, and that’s when I stumbled upon LVL – Laminated Veneer Lumber. It’s apparently some strong stuff, used in construction a lot. Then I saw “larch” thrown in there, which, I found out, is a type of wood. So, LVL Larch Timber? Sounds heavy-duty, right?

Digging Deeper

I did some more reading. Regular lumber can warp and twist, especially outdoors. LVL is supposed to be way more stable because it’s made of thin layers of wood glued together. And this larch stuff? Turns out it’s naturally resistant to rot and insects. That’s a big plus for something that’s going to be sitting outside.

My Plan (Sort Of)

My first thought was to use the LVL Larch Timber for the base of the court. I was thinking I could build a frame, kind of like a giant, shallow box, and fill it with… something. Gravel? Concrete? Still figuring that part out.

• Step 1: Build the LVL frame. I’m picturing using some hefty bolts and maybe some metal brackets to hold it all together.
• Step 2: Level the ground. This is crucial, otherwise, the court will be all wonky.
• Step 3:Lay down some weed barrier, make the whole frame stable, and also added some gravel for drainage..
• Step 4: Fill the frame. This is where I’m still a little unsure. Concrete is the obvious choice, but it’s also… permanent. Gravel might be easier to manage, but would it be stable enough?

Experiment at first

First I chose the size of the base, then started the cutting work, because it was a small size, it took me about 1 hour to complete it.

Then I did some simple assembly and reinforcement, and set it aside for later use.

But,I did not get to continue on the rest of the work,because I found I was out of budget…

Roadblocks

Honestly, the biggest hurdle right now is the cost. This LVL stuff isn’t cheap. And then there’s the whole “filling the frame” thing. Concrete would be a project, and gravel might not be the best solution.

So, the project is on hold for now. But I’m still thinking about it. Maybe I’ll find some used LVL, or maybe I’ll come up with a different design altogether. It’s a work in progress, for sure.