Okay, so yesterday I decided to tackle that flooring project I’ve been putting off. The goal? Get some decent, springy flooring down in my makeshift volleyball practice area. I’m no pro, but I figured some cushioned wood would be way better than the cold, hard concrete I’ve been using.

Prepping the Space

First things first, I cleared out the whole area. Moved the old weight bench, the dusty exercise bike, and a whole bunch of random junk. Then I gave the concrete a good sweep and scrub – it was pretty gross, honestly. Lots of dust and, uh, mystery stains. I used some basic cleaner, nothing fancy, and let it dry completely.

Gathering My Supplies

I’d already picked up the materials a while back. I went with larch for the wood – seemed like a good balance of price and durability. And I got these interlocking foam cushion things. They’re supposed to go underneath and provide some bounce. I also made sure I had my trusty hammer, a saw (just in case), and a whole bunch of screws. And, most important, strong black tea. Gotta stay fueled, right?

Laying Down the Cushions

This part was surprisingly easy. The foam squares interlocked like giant puzzle pieces. I just laid them out across the entire area, making sure they were snug against each other. It felt kinda weird walking on them – super squishy! I did have to trim a few pieces along the edges to make them fit perfectly. A simple box cutter did the trick.

Assembling the Wooden Flooring

Now for the slightly more challenging bit. I started by laying out the first row of larch planks along one edge of the room. I made sure to leave a little gap between the wood and the wall – apparently, wood expands and contracts, so you need that space. Learned that the hard way once before!

Then, it was just a matter of connecting the planks. They had this tongue-and-groove system, so they slotted together pretty easily. A few taps with the hammer helped to get them nice and tight. I worked my way across the room, row by row, making sure everything was lined up properly. It actually went smoother than I expected, but get one wrong, and have to go back 3 rows, crazy!

The Finishing Touches

Once all the planks were down, I went around and checked for any loose spots or uneven edges. I used a few screws here and there to secure things down, especially around the perimeter. I also added some trim pieces along the walls to cover up those expansion gaps and give it a cleaner look.

The Result!

Honestly, it looks pretty good! The floor feels way better underfoot – much more forgiving than the concrete. I did a few test jumps and dives (don’t judge!), and it definitely has some give. It’s not exactly professional-grade, but for my little practice area, it’s perfect. Now, I just need to actually, you know, practice volleyball.

All in all a good day, very fullfilling.