So, I’ve been itching to build a volleyball court in my backyard for ages, but I didn’t want anything permanent. Saw this idea for removable oak flooring that snaps together, thought it was perfect for quick games and easy storage. Here’s how I tackled it last weekend.

Gathering Supplies First

Kicked things off by grabbing all the stuff. Rushed to the hardware store and got oak planks—made sure they were solid, not too thick. Also picked up interlocking tabs, a rubber mallet, measuring tape, and wood glue. Hauled everything home in my truck. Laid it all out in the yard to check nothing was missing. Felt good to start, but my back was already aching.

• Oak planks (used pre-cut ones to save time)
• Plastic tabs for locking them together
• Mallet for tapping pieces
• Tape and chalk for marking spots
• Glue in case the tabs got loose

Laying the Base Down

Next, I cleared a patch of dirt, raked it smooth. Measured out the court size—about 30 feet by 30 feet. Dropped the first plank right in the center, just plopped it down easy. Then, lined up another one next to it. Slid those plastic tabs into the grooves on the ends, gave a few whacks with the mallet. Kept adding planks, moving in rows. Did this for half the court, sweating buckets in the sun. Took breaks, drank water. Things were clipping along fine at first.

But then, hit a snag—some planks didn’t lock snug. Had to pry them up with a crowbar I found in my shed. Dripped glue into the gaps, slammed them hard with the mallet. Worked like a charm, but made a mess with the glue oozing everywhere. Wiped it off with a rag. Took longer than expected, ended up finishing one side before lunch.

Putting It All Together

After that, tackled the other half. Learned from earlier, so I test-fitted each plank before hammering. Still, got sore hands from all the banging. Once the whole floor was down, I walked over it—felt sturdy, no wobble. Made sure those tabs were tight; didn’t want anyone tripping during a game. Then, I staked down the edges with spare wood blocks to keep it from shifting. Whole thing took me most of the day, but seeing it done was a win.

Tested it with a volleyball later. Ball bounced fine, court looked pro. Best part? I can unsnap sections in minutes for storage. No fancy tools needed, just basic effort.

What I’d Do Different Next Time

All in all, it turned out solid. But if I do this again, I’d buy extra tabs upfront—ran low, had to improvise. Also, wear gloves to avoid blisters. Cheap project though, cost me less than 100 bucks. Good for backyard fun without the hassle. Happy I gave it a shot!