Alright, guys, so I’ve been wanting to upgrade my home basketball court for a while. The old concrete slab was just brutal on the knees, and honestly, it wasn’t very inspiring to play on. I did some digging and decided to go with a keel basketball sleeper wooden flooring system. Let me tell you, it was a project, but totally worth it!

First, I cleared out the entire area. This involved moving some old furniture, a couple of potted plants my wife insisted on keeping, and a whole lot of dust and debris. It was a sweaty start, but a necessary one.

Prepping the Base

Once everything was clear, I had to make sure the concrete base was level. It wasn’t. So, I spent a good afternoon mixing and pouring self-leveling concrete. It was messy, and I definitely underestimated how much I’d need, so I had to make a second run to the hardware store. Pro tip: always overestimate when it comes to concrete!

I let the concrete cure for about three days. I’m no expert, but I figured longer was better than shorter. Plus, I needed a break after all that mixing.

Installing the Keel System

Next up was the keel system. This is basically the framework that supports the wooden floor. I laid out the sleepers – these long, wooden beams – according to the instructions I found. It felt a bit like putting together a giant puzzle.

• I placed the sleepers.
• I used a level to ensure the sleepers is level.
• I screwed everything together, making sure it was all nice and snug. It was a lot of bending and kneeling. My back was definitely feeling it by the end of this stage.

Laying the Wooden Floor

Then came the fun part – laying down the actual wooden floorboards. I started at one end of the court and worked my way across, clicking the boards together. They had this tongue-and-groove system, which made it relatively easy, but it still took time and patience. I used a rubber mallet to tap them into place, making sure there were no gaps.

The final few boards were tricky. I had to rip them down to size with a circular saw. Let’s just say my sawing skills aren’t exactly professional, but I managed to get it done without losing any fingers.

Finishing Touches

Finally, I sanded down the entire floor to make it smooth and even. This was probably the most satisfying part. Seeing the rough, uneven surface transform into a beautiful, gleaming basketball court was awesome. I applied a couple of coats of polyurethane sealant to protect the wood and give it that nice, glossy finish.

And that’s it! My very own keel basketball sleeper wooden flooring. It took a few weekends, a lot of sweat, and a few trips to the hardware store, but I’m super happy with how it turned out. My knees are definitely thanking me, and my jump shot? Well, let’s just say it’s a work in progress, but the new floor definitely helps!