Alright, guys, let’s talk about this LVL basketball plywood wooden flooring project I tackled. I’ve been wanting to redo my home court for ages, and I finally dove in. I decided to go with LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) because I heard it was super strong and stable – perfect for a basketball court, you know?

Getting Started

First things first, I had to rip out the old flooring. That was a pain, let me tell you. Lots of pulling and prying, and my back was definitely feeling it. Once that was done, I spent a good chunk of time making sure the subfloor was level. This is super important, guys, don’t skip this step! I used a self-leveling compound in a few spots to get it just right.

Laying the LVL

Next up, it was time to actually lay the LVL plywood. I got these big sheets, and they were heavy! Definitely a two-person job, at least for some of it. I started in one corner, making sure to leave a little gap around the edges for expansion and contraction – wood moves, you know?

I used construction adhesive and screws to secure the plywood to the subfloor. Made sure to stagger the joints, like you do with any flooring. This makes the whole thing stronger and more stable. It took a while, but seeing those sheets go down, row by row, was pretty satisfying.

Finishing Touches

Once all the plywood was down, it was time for sanding. I rented a big floor sander – that thing was a beast! I started with a coarse grit sandpaper and worked my way up to a finer grit to get a nice, smooth surface. Safety glasses and a dust mask are a MUST, by the way. Dust everywhere!

After sanding, I cleaned up all the dust and applied a couple of coats of polyurethane. This is what gives the floor its shine and protects it from wear and tear. I went with a satin finish, ’cause I didn’t want it too glossy.

The Final Result

Man, after all that work, the court looks amazing! It’s so smooth and solid, and the LVL gives it a really nice, clean look. The bounce is great, and I can’t wait to get some games going on it. It was a lot of work, no doubt, but totally worth it in the end. I even painted the lines myself using a special stencil I made from tape. My kids are helping me to finish painting these days.

I’m no professional, just a regular dude who likes to DIY, so if I can do it, you probably can too! Hope this little walkthrough of my project was helpful.