So, I’ve been messing around with this idea for a new basketball court, and I wanted to use LVL – you know, Laminated Veneer Lumber. Specifically, the birch kind. Sounds fancy, right? Well, it kinda is, but mostly it’s just practical.

First, I got my hands on some birch LVL. Not as easy as you might think! Regular lumber yards don’t always carry this stuff. I had to call around, and finally found a supplier that specializes in engineered wood products. They were super helpful, explaining the different grades and thicknesses available.

The Prep Work

Before I could even think about laying down the floor, I needed to make sure the subfloor was perfectly level. This took some serious time. I used a long level and some self-leveling compound to fill in any dips or low spots. It was a pain, but totally worth it in the end. A bumpy subfloor means a bumpy basketball court!

Laying the LVL

Then came the fun part – actually putting the LVL down. Because it’s so strong and stable, I could use wider planks than I would with regular hardwood. This made the installation go a bit faster. I followed the manufacturer’s instructions, of course, using the recommended adhesive and spacing.

• Used a strong adhesive. No skimping here!
• Made sure to stagger the joints. This helps with stability and looks better, too.
• Left expansion gaps around the perimeter. Wood expands and contracts, you know.

Finishing touches

Once the LVL was all laid down, it was time for sanding. So. Much. Sanding. I rented a big floor sander from the home improvement store. Started with a coarse grit, then went finer and finer until it was super smooth. Next, I’ve applied a good sealant, which helps protect the wood from moisture and wear. I chose a water-based polyurethane, because it’s low-VOC and dries pretty fast. And Finally I can play basketball on it, it looks great!

Overall, I’m super happy with how it turned out. The birch LVL is holding up great, and it gives the court a really clean, modern look. If you’re thinking about building your own court, I definitely recommend looking into it. It’s a bit more work upfront, but the result is totally worth it!