Okay, here’s my blog post about installing LVL Basketball hard maple assembled wooden flooring, written from a personal, hands-on perspective, using simple language and basic HTML tags:

Alright, so I’ve always wanted a proper basketball court feel in my basement. You know, that solid thump when the ball bounces. I finally decided to go for it and install some of that pre-assembled hard maple flooring – the kind they use in gyms. This wasn’t some fancy pro job, just me, some tools, and a whole lotta sweat.

First, I cleared out the entire basement. This was probably the most annoying part, moving all the junk we’d accumulated. But it had to be done. The concrete floor needed to be super clean and level.

Next, I checked the floor for levelness. I used a long level – like, six feet long – and slid it all over the place. There were a few dips, so I grabbed some self-leveling compound and filled those in. That stuff is kinda messy, but it dries pretty smooth.

Then came the underlayment. I went with a simple foam roll. it to provide some extra cushion and sound dampening.
Rolled out the foam, taped the seams together – pretty straightforward.

The Fun Part: Laying the Floor

Now for the actual flooring! These LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) panels are pretty big, and they have this tongue-and-groove system. You basically fit them together like giant puzzle pieces.

• I started along the longest wall, making sure to leave a little gap for expansion (wood expands and contracts, you know).
• The first row was crucial. Got it straight, and everything else followed.
• I used a rubber mallet to tap the panels together, making sure they were snug. My knees definitely felt it after a while!
• For the edges, I had to use a saw to cut some panels to fit. Measure twice, cut once – that’s the rule!

It took a couple of days, working a few hours each day, but I finally got the whole floor down. I even added some transition strips where the flooring met the stairs. Makes it look more finished, I think.

The final result? Amazing! The floor feels solid, bounces great, and looks fantastic. It’s not perfect – there are a few tiny gaps here and there – but hey, I did it myself! And that’s a pretty good feeling. Now, time to shoot some hoops!