Okay, here’s my blog post about assembling that LVL basketball court flooring:

Alright, so I tackled this project – putting together an LVL basketball court floor. Sounds fancy, huh? It kinda is, but the work itself? Let me tell you…

Getting Started

First things first, I gathered all the materials. This wasn’t a trip to the local hardware store. I had these massive LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) boards delivered. Think super-strong plywood, but way thicker and longer.

• LVL boards (obviously!)
• Construction adhesive (lots of it)
• Screws (the right kind, for wood)
• Power drill/driver
• Circular saw (for trimming)
• Measuring tape (measure twice, cut once, people!)
• Safety glasses (don’t be a dummy)
• Work gloves
• Some strong friends to help moving.

The Nitty-Gritty

The first step was laying out the subfloor. I already had a concrete slab, luckily, so I didn’t have to build a whole frame. But, if you’re starting from scratch, that’s a whole other beast. Make sure it’s level! Any bumps or dips will show up later, and nobody wants a wonky basketball court.

Next, I started placing the LVL boards. These things are HEAVY. Seriously, get some help. I lined them up, making sure the edges were flush. Then, I applied a generous amount of construction adhesive to the subfloor and the edges of the boards. This stuff is sticky, so work fast but carefully.

Once the adhesive was down, it was time to screw the boards into place. I used a power drill and made sure to countersink the screws – meaning, I drove them in so the heads were below the surface of the wood. This is important for a smooth playing surface. No one wants to trip on a screw head!

The Tricky Parts

Cutting the boards to fit around the edges of the court was a bit of a pain. I used a circular saw and took my time. Measure, measure, measure! And wear your safety glasses. Seriously, wood chips flying everywhere are no joke.

And then, the joints. My boards are connected by tongue and groove, I need to make them tight.

Finishing Up

After all the boards were secured, I let the adhesive cure for a good 24 hours. Then, I inspected it for any gaps.

The floor is very solid!

It was a lot of work, but seeing that finished floor? Totally worth it. Now, who’s up for a game?