Okay, so I’ve been wanting to set up a little dance space in my basement for a while now. I finally decided to take the plunge and go for it. I did some digging around and decided on a batten sprung dance floor with hard maple – seemed like the best option for durability and that classic dance floor feel.

Getting Started

First things first, I measured out the space. I wanted a decent-sized area, but I also didn’t want it to take over the entire basement. Once I had the dimensions down, I started looking at different suppliers for the materials.

It was a bit of a headache, honestly. Lots of options, lots of price differences. Eventually, I found a place that seemed reputable and had decent prices for both the battens and the maple flooring.

The Build

Man, this was a project. I’m not the handiest person, but I’m stubborn, so I was determined to do it myself. I cleared out the basement space completely. Then I started building the subfloor, using it as my foundation and laying down the battens according to plans. I spaced them out evenly. This part took some time, making sure everything was level and secure.

I took things slowly, ensuring each batten was perfectly aligned and securely in place.

Next up was the maple. I unpacked the boards and let them sit in the basement for a few days. A friend told me this was important to let the wood acclimate to the humidity and temperature, prevent the wood from getting moldy.

Then came the fun part – actually laying down the maple. I started in one corner and worked my way across, row by row. I rented a flooring nailer, which made the job way easier. It was still a workout, though! Lots of bending, kneeling, and hammering.

Fitting the pieces together was like a giant puzzle. I had to make some cuts here and there to fit around the edges of the room, making good use of the circular saw and jigsaw.

The Finishing Touches

Once all the maple was down, I had to sand the whole thing. Rented a big floor sander for this – that thing was a beast! It took a while to get the hang of it, but eventually, I got a nice, smooth surface.

Then came the sealing. I used a polyurethane sealant that I like. I applied a few coats, letting each one dry completely before adding the next. This part was crucial for protecting the wood and giving it that nice, glossy finish.

The Result!

Finally, after what felt like forever, it was done! My very own dance floor. It’s not perfect, there are a few little imperfections here and there, but I’m super proud of it. I cranked up some music and tried it out – it felt amazing! Springy, smooth, and ready for some serious dancing.

My family took a great video, and I was so proud to be able to have my own dance studio, it was worth all the work I put into it!