Okay so last weekend I finally got around to installing that removable volleyball court I’ve been dreaming about. Wanted something solid but easy to store during winter. Ended up going for beech wood panels – heard they’re tough enough for spikes but light enough to move around.

Getting Started

First thing was clearing my backyard space. Raked out all the pebbles and sticks, then measured a perfect 30×60 foot rectangle with string and stakes. Dug shallow trenches around the edges for water runoff – learned that the hard way when my old tennis court turned into a swamp last spring.

Unboxed those panels from the hardware store delivery. Heavy buggers! Carried them one by one to the site. Checked each plank for cracks while wiping them down – found three with splits and set those aside for return. Pro tip: always inspect before assembly.

Assembly Chaos

Here’s where things got messy. The instructions showed this neat locking system, but mine just had these tongue-and-groove joints. Started connecting them like giant puzzle pieces, hammering gently with a rubber mallet. About panel number 15, realized I’d zigged when should’ve zagged – whole section was crooked.

Took me an hour to backtrack and realign everything. Sweat dripping into my eyes the whole time. Once straightened, I whacked those joints harder to seal gaps. Stopped every few feet to stomp around checking for wobbles. Found two spots where dirt lumps caused rocking – dug those out with a trowel.

Making It Removable

The key was leaving expansion gaps – put nickel coins between panels as spacers like someone on YouTube suggested. Instead of nailing or gluing, I made heavy-duty anchors:

• Drilled holes through corner panels
• Hammered rebar stakes through them into the ground
• Topped with those plastic hole caps so nobody trips

Now when volleyball season ends, I can just pull the rebar, pop panels apart, and stack everything in the shed. Tested removal with two end sections – slid apart easier than I expected!

Final Touches

Last steps took forever. Used chalk lines to mark boundaries in bright orange. Had to redo the center line three times because the tape kept peeling. Finished by sweeping sand into the tiny cracks between planks – keeps them from banging together during play.

Total time? Two full days. Got sunburnt shoulders, lost three drill bits, and broke one panel during a misguided hammering attempt. But man, that first test game with neighbors was golden! Ball bounced true, no splinters, and best part? Packed half the court away in just 45 minutes when rain rolled in. Worth every blister.