Okay, here’s my blog post about putting in that basketball court floor:

Alright, so I’ve always wanted a proper indoor basketball court. You know, the kind with that perfect squeak when you pivot? I finally decided to take the plunge and do it myself. The space was already there – a big, empty outbuilding just begging for a project.

Prepping the Space

First things first, I had to make sure the concrete subfloor was level. This was crucial. I used a self-leveling compound, spread it around, and let it do its thing. Took a couple of days to fully dry, but it was worth it. A wonky subfloor means a wonky court, and nobody wants that.

Laying Down the Keel

Next up was the keel. This is basically the support structure for the whole floor. I used these pre-made wooden keel pieces – saved me a ton of time, honestly. I laid them out according to the plan, making sure they were spaced correctly and securely anchored to the concrete. I used some heavy-duty construction adhesive and concrete screws. Overkill? Maybe. But I wanted this thing to be solid.

Assembling the Wooden Flooring

Now for the fun part – the actual flooring! I went with pre-assembled oak panels. These things were like giant puzzle pieces. I started in one corner and just started snapping them together. Click, click, click. It was surprisingly satisfying. I made sure to stagger the joints, like you’re supposed to, for strength and that classic look.

Putting the pieces Together

• Getting the First Row Right: The first row is the most important. Get that straight, and the rest is (relatively) easy. I spent a good chunk of time making sure it was perfectly aligned.
• Working My Way Across: I used a rubber mallet to gently tap the panels together, making sure they were nice and snug. No gaps!
• Dealing with the Edges: When I got to the edges, I had to cut some panels to fit. I used a circular saw for this – measured twice, cut once, like they always say.

The Finishing Touches

Once all the panels were down, I gave the whole floor a good sanding. This smoothed out any tiny imperfections and got it ready for the finish. I used a big floor sander I rented – that thing was a beast! Then, I applied a few coats of polyurethane. This is what gives the floor its shine and protects it from wear and tear, spilled drinks, and all that good stuff. And let it dry, I gave it a full week to cure completely before I even thought about stepping on it.

And there you have it! My very own basketball court. It took some sweat, some planning, and a few weekends, but it was totally worth it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go shoot some hoops.