Okay, here’s my blog post about getting a portable basketball floor:

So, I’ve been wanting to set up a decent basketball area in my backyard for a while now. I didn’t want to go full-on concrete court, you know? Too permanent, too much hassle. I started looking into portable options, something I could move if needed, or even just take down for the winter.

First, I measured my backyard space. Gotta know what size floor I can even fit, right? I marked out a rough area with some string and stakes, just to visualize it. Turns out, I had more room than I thought!

Research, Research, Research

Next step, diving into online research. Holy moly, there are a TON of options out there. Different materials, different interlocking systems, different prices… it was overwhelming. I spent a good few evenings just browsing, reading reviews, and watching those cheesy product videos.

• Plastic tiles seemed to be the most common. They’re relatively cheap, and supposedly easy to install.
• Rubber tiles were another option. A bit pricier, but probably more durable and maybe better for bounce?
• Wood-look tiles were in the mix, too. Looked nice, but I worried about weather resistance.

I finally narrowed it down to a few plastic tile options. They seemed like the best balance of price, ease of installation, and (hopefully) durability. I focused on ones that specifically mentioned UV resistance and good drainage – don’t want a soggy, sun-faded court!

After much deliberation, I picked a set of interlocking tiles from a company that had pretty good reviews. The price was decent, and they offered a variety of colors. (I went with classic red and blue, felt sporty!). I placed the order, and then…the waiting began.

Installation Time!

The boxes arrived a few days later. Heavier than I expected! I recruited my neighbor to help me haul them to the backyard. Seriously, team lift those things.

The actual installation was… surprisingly easy. The tiles snapped together with a satisfying click. It was like a giant, very satisfying puzzle. We started in one corner and just worked our way across. The hardest part was probably making sure we had the edges lined up properly, but even that wasn’t too bad.

It took us a couple of hours, with a few breaks for water (and maybe a beer). But once it was done, boom! Instant basketball court. We even added some extra tiles around the edges to create a little border.

The Final Result

Honestly, I’m pretty stoked with how it turned out. It’s not a professional-grade court, obviously, but it’s perfectly fine for shooting hoops and playing some casual games. The surface has a decent bounce, and it feels pretty good underfoot.

I have tested the new floor for several days. The bounce is much better than the grass. My kids love it! It’s a great addition to my backyard.

I’ll have to see how it holds up over time, especially with the sun and rain. But for now, I’m calling it a win. If you’re thinking about a portable basketball floor, I definitely recommend doing your research and finding one that fits your needs and budget. It’s a surprisingly doable DIY project!