Alright, so I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and I finally took the plunge – installing a basketball court in my backyard! Well, more like a half-court, but still! And I wanted that classic, squeaky, beautiful pine wood flooring. It was a whole process, and I took some notes along the way, so here’s how it went down:

Planning and Prep

First, I had to figure out where this thing was gonna go. Measured the backyard, like, a million times, making sure I had enough space. I didn’t want it to be right up against the fence or anything. I also needed to make sure that it was even ground, flat as a pancake. And I was finding the spot that I don’t need to dig, and that was perferct!

Laying the Foundation

I’ve got to create something for the wood flooring. It’s pine wooden flooring, so I need a soild base, a “keel” system. And to make this thing super sturdy, I have chose those big, thick wooden beams. Set them up parallel to each other, making sure they were perfectly level. This part took some patience, I can ensure you. But getting it right was crucial for the whole floor.

• Measure and mark: Use the level and measuring tools to mark the exact positions for each keel.
• Placing the keels: Put the keels on the position I just marked.

Installing the Flooring

With the keel done, it was time for the actual flooring.

And this is the fun part, I think.

I laid down each piece of pine, one by one, making sure they fit together nice and tight. Used a flooring nailer to secure them to the keels, and man, that tool is a lifesaver. I also did stagger the seams, like you’re supposed to, to make the whole thing more stable.

Important Tip: Double-check the wood before you install, to avoid any surprises after the installation.

The Finishing Touches

Once all the flooring was down, it was time for the finishing touches. I sanded the whole thing down to make it super smooth, no splinters for me, thank you very much! Then, I applied a few coats of polyurethane sealant to protect the wood and give it that nice, shiny finish. Make sure that it can withstand the punishment of endless dribbling and shooting.

And that’s it! It was a lot of work, but seeing that finished court, all gleaming and ready for some hoops action, was totally worth it. Now, who’s up for a game?