Okay, here’s my shot at a blog post, channeling that “seasoned blogger” vibe and focusing on the practical steps of assembling LVL basketball court flooring:

Alright, folks, let’s dive into this project I tackled recently – putting together an LVL basketball court floor. It sounds intimidating, but trust me, with a little planning and elbow grease, it’s totally doable. I’m no pro, just a guy who likes a good DIY challenge, so if I can do it, you probably can too!

Getting Started: The Prep Work

First things first, preparation is key. I started by making absolutely sure my subfloor was level. Any dips or bumps will mess you up later, big time. I used a long level and spent a good chunk of time shimming and sanding until it was perfect. It’s boring, yeah, but totally worth it in the end.

Next, I laid down a vapor barrier. This is just a sheet of plastic that keeps moisture from the ground from messing with your wood. I overlapped the seams and taped them down securely. Don’t skip this, especially if you’re building over concrete.

Laying Down the LVL

Now for the fun part – the LVL! LVL, or Laminated Veneer Lumber, is super strong and stable, which is why it’s great for a sports floor. I got mine pre-cut to the lengths I needed, which saved me a ton of time.

I started by laying out the first row along the longest wall, leaving a small expansion gap between the wood and the wall. This lets the wood expand and contract with changes in humidity without buckling. I used some spacers to make sure the gap was consistent.

• Tip 1: Dry-fit a few rows before you start gluing or nailing. This helps you spot any problems early on.
• Tip 2: Use a good quality construction adhesive. I went with a polyurethane-based one that’s specifically designed for wood flooring.

I applied the adhesive to the subfloor in a serpentine pattern, then carefully placed each LVL plank down. Then, I used a mallet and a tapping block to snug them up tight against each other. Make sure you get those tongue-and-groove joints fully engaged.

Securing the Floor

Once the adhesive was down, I went back and nailed the planks to the subfloor. I used a pneumatic nailer with flooring cleats, which made the job go super fast. If you don’t have a nailer, you can rent one – it’s worth it.

• I put a nail about every 6-8 inches along the edges and a couple in the middle of each plank. This might be overkill, but I wanted to make sure this floor was solid.

I kept working my way across the floor, row by row, making sure everything was tight and aligned. It’s a bit of a workout, but it’s satisfying to see it all come together.

The Finishing Touches

After all the LVL was down, I let the adhesive cure for a couple of days. Then, I filled any nail holes with wood filler and sanded the whole floor smooth. This is where a good orbital sander comes in handy.

Finally, I applied several coats of polyurethane sealant. This protects the wood and gives it that nice, glossy finish you see on basketball courts. I let each coat dry completely before applying the next, and lightly sanded between coats for a super smooth finish.

And that’s it! My very own LVL basketball court floor. It took some time and effort, but it was a blast to build, and it’s rock solid. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some hoops to shoot!