The Starting Point: Why Wood?
So I’ve been staring at my cracked driveway concrete basketball pad for months. It’s been driving me nuts every time the ball bounces sideways when it should’ve gone straight. Saw some fancy court pics online but ain’t paying pro installation prices. Decided I’d slap on wood flooring myself cause rubber tree lumber stays bouncy in weather changes.
Materials and Prep Work
Rushed to the lumberyard early Tuesday for boards. Guy kept pushing teak but I stood my ground – rubber tree wood stays cheaper and feels springier underfoot. Hauled home sixteen 6-foot planks plus waterproof glue. Dug out my orbital sander from the garage rafters where it was hiding with spider nests.
Big surprise: My “flat” concrete pad had bumps I never noticed! Spent half a day pouring self-leveling compound after marking low spots with neon chalk. Still smelled like wet cement when I started wood placement test runs.
The Sweaty Part
Laid boards perpendicular to the old hoop direction – felt that gives better grip when making sharp pivots. Cut planks shorter with circular saw so expansion gaps weren’t noticeable near the edges. Man, that rubber tree sawdust smelled weirdly sweet like maple syrup but sticky. Applied glue thick like peanut butter before dropping each plank.
Epic screw-up hour: Ran out halfway because I forgot overlapping ends eat extra boards. Drove back to lumberyard sweaty and pissed. Added moisture sealant with paint roller while birds were landing on fresh planks – nearly lost my mind shooing them off.
The Victory Bounce
After 36 hours curing time? That first dribble sounded like a damn NBA broadcast in my ears. No dead spots, no weird skids. Did layup drills till sunset just feeling that clean bounce-back even when I bricked shots. Knees didn’t hurt like they did on straight concrete either. That rubber tree wood makes landings softer somehow.
Final verdict? Helluvalot cheaper than contractors. Still checking if morning dew makes it slippery, but for now? My driveway’s a legit court finally.
