Okay, here’s my blog post about assembling wooden flooring using LVL volleyball sleepers:

So, I’ve been wanting to redo the flooring in my spare room for, like, forever. It had this old, nasty carpet that was just begging to be ripped out. I finally decided to take the plunge and go with a wooden floor. But not just any wooden floor – I wanted something sturdy, and I had this idea about using LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) as sleepers. I’d seen it used in some volleyball court setups, and it seemed super strong.

Getting Started

First things first, I had to clear out the room. This involved moving furniture, and a LOT of vacuuming up dust bunnies. It was a bigger job than I thought, to be honest. Then came the fun part – ripping up that old carpet! It felt so good to finally get rid of it. Underneath, I found some pretty uneven concrete.

Leveling the Concrete

This was crucial. I knew I couldn’t just slap down the LVL on an uneven surface. So, I got some self-leveling compound and went to work. Honestly, this was a messy process. I poured it on, spread it around, and then just waited (and waited, and waited) for it to dry. Patience is not my strong suit, but it was necessary.

Laying the LVL Sleepers

Once the concrete was level and dry (finally!), I started laying out the LVL sleepers. I measured the room carefully and cut the LVL to size using a circular saw. Safety first! I always wear safety glasses and ear protection. I spaced the sleepers out evenly, making sure they were all level with each other. This took some fiddling, using shims in some places to get everything perfect.

Securing the Sleepers

• I used construction adhesive to glue the sleepers down to the concrete. I applied a generous amount to the bottom of each sleeper.
• Then, for extra security, I used concrete screws to fasten them down. I pre-drilled the holes to make it easier.

Installing the Wooden Flooring

With the sleepers firmly in place, I could finally start installing the actual wooden flooring.

I went the click lock system, I think is much easier.

I clicked, fitted and measured to make sure that the final result was good, I used a rubber hammer in some items to give a little help.

This part was actually pretty satisfying. I laid down the first row, making sure it was straight and aligned with the wall. Then, I just kept clicking the planks together, row by row. It’s like a giant puzzle! I used a tapping block and a pull bar to make sure the joints were nice and tight.

Finishing Touches

Once all the flooring was down, I installed baseboards around the perimeter of the room. This covered up the expansion gap and gave it a nice, finished look. I used a nail gun for this, which made the job quick and easy.

And that’s it! My new wooden floor, built on a super-strong foundation of LVL sleepers. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. The room looks so much better, and I’m pretty proud of myself for tackling this project. If I can do it, anyone can! Just be prepared for some hard work and a bit of a mess.