Okay, here’s my blog post about assembling a wooden floor, keel, volleyball, and rubber tree style:

Alright, folks, gather ’round! Today, I tackled a project that’s been on my to-do list for, like, ever: installing a new wooden floor. And not just any wooden floor, mind you. This one’s got a special “keel” structure, inspired by volleyball courts (yeah, I’m a bit of a sports nut), and it’s made from rubber tree wood. Sounds fancy, huh? It kinda is, but the process? Well, that’s another story.

The Prep Work (aka “The Calm Before the Storm”)

First things first, I cleared out the entire room. I mean, everything. Furniture, rugs, even that weird little decorative gnome my aunt gave me. This was gonna be a messy operation, and I didn’t want any casualties.

Next up, I checked the subfloor. This is super important, people! You want a nice, even surface, or your new floor will end up looking like a rollercoaster. Mine was pretty good, thankfully, just a few minor bumps that I sanded down.

Keel-ing It Real

Now for the fun part: the keel system! This is basically a framework of wooden beams that goes under the floorboards. It’s supposed to give the floor extra bounce and stability, like a volleyball court. I laid out the beams according to the instructions (which, I’ll admit, were a little confusing at first). I used that measuring device to get the distance right, and it cost me a lot of time.

Then, I secured the beams to the subfloor with screws. Lots and lots of screws. My arm definitely got a workout, I am really tired!.

Rubber Tree Time!

With the keel in place, it was time for the star of the show: the rubber tree floorboards! These things are gorgeous, with a really unique grain pattern. And they’re supposed to be super durable, which is good, because I have two kids and a dog who are basically professional mess-makers.

I started laying the boards, one by one, fitting them together like puzzle pieces. There’s a tongue-and-groove system, so they kinda click into place. It’s pretty satisfying, actually.

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I ran into a few tricky spots, especially around the doorways. I had to cut some of the boards to fit, which involved a lot of measuring, re-measuring, and a little bit of swearing (sorry, kids!).

Finishing Touches (and a Sigh of Relief)

Finally, after many hours of work, the last board was in place! I stood back to admire my handiwork, and you know what? It looked pretty darn good! I did some small things to make the edge look better. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And it feels amazing underfoot, all bouncy and solid.

I still need to add some finishing touches, like baseboards and maybe a coat of sealant. But for now, I’m calling it a win. My back is killing me, my hands are sore, but I’ve got a brand new, awesome-looking floor. And that, my friends, is worth all the effort.

So, would I recommend this project to a beginner? Maybe not. It’s definitely challenging. But if you’re up for it, and you’re willing to put in the time and sweat, the results can be pretty amazing. Just make sure you have a good set of instructions, a lot of patience, and maybe a friend to help you out (and bring you snacks!).