How This Whole Flooring Project Started
So last month I looked at my garage and thought “man this concrete floor sucks”. My kids kept tripping when we played basketball, the dog’s nails went click-clack all the time, and when I tried yoga there my knees hurt like hell. Figured I needed real sports flooring but didn’t wanna spend crazy money.
Went down to the lumberyard asking for rubber gym mats – dude just laughed at me. Said those cost more than my car. Showed me this oak hardwood instead. “Tougher than your mother-in-law’s meatloaf” he says. Got me thinking maybe wood could work for multiple things if we did it right.
The Messy Installation Process
First weekend, borrowed my buddy’s truck to haul the planks. Stupidly forgot to measure the garage first – planks were two inches too long. Had to cut every single one with this rusty saw that kept jamming. Sawdust everywhere, my wife was screaming about the mess in the driveway.
- Big mistake – didn’t leave space between planks
- Morning after installation looked like a rollercoaster
- Had to pull up half the floor with a crowbar
The gaps between wood and walls got super important too. First time I just shoved planks against the drywall – big mistake. Humidity made the whole thing puff up like a soufflé. Ended up using these little rubber spacers from Amazon to keep breathing room.
Why This Actually Worked For Everything
After sealing it with three coats of that slippery gym finish, magic happened. The basketball stopped bouncing sideways, kid’s toy cars actually rolled straight now. Was shocked how good it handled different stuff:
- Dropped a 20lb weight – just a tiny dent
- Spilled grape juice everywhere – wiped right off
- Wife’s book club walked in heels – no scratches somehow
What I’d Do Different Next Time
Man if I ever do this again, I’m paying someone to cut the boards. Three bloody fingertips and one broken saw later, not worth it. Also would’ve sprung for those fancy shock pads under the wood – my jumping jacks still rumble the coffee cups upstairs.
But hey, two months later? Kids playing ping pong while my mixer sits there making cookies. Dog sleeps on it like it’s his personal bed. Even caught my wife doing dance videos on it last week. That ugly garage became everyone’s favorite room without us even planning it. Floor earned its keep ten times over.
