Getting Started With The Flooring Idea
So last month my volleyball buddies kept complaining about knee pain after playing on concrete. Got me thinking – why not build a removable wooden floor for our backyard games? Cheap, easy to store, good for jumps. Researched a bit online and landed on soft maple. Not too pricey, bends nicely under pressure.
Buying Stuff & Prepping
Went to the hardware store Saturday morning with my truck. Grabbed:
- Twenty 4-feet soft maple planks (half-inch thick)
- A big box of heavy-duty screws
- Rubber padding rolls (for cushioning)
- Measuring tape like a damn detective
Cleared my garage workspace – shoved all the junk to one side. Swept sawdust from last project. Measured twice ’cause last time I cut crooked.
The Cutting & Drilling Marathon
Marked where to trim with red pencil. Used the circular saw carefully – maple splits easy if you rush. Sweat pouring into my eyes halfway through. Had to wear safety goggles ’cause wood chips flew everywhere. Drill screamed like a banshee making pilot holes. My neighbor yelled “Quiet!” twice.
Assembled panels section by section:
- Laid rubber padding flat on concrete
- Placed four planks side-by-side
- Screwed cross beams underneath every foot
- Checked for wobble – hammered shaky spots
Did this five times. Arms felt like jelly afterwards. Drank two beers immediately.
Connecting & Testing The Thing
Figured out interlocking method:
- Made notches at panel ends with jigsaw
- Slid tongue-in-groove style
- Hammered rubber stoppers along edges
Took fifteen minutes to lay all panels down. Stepped on it – bounced nicely. Jumped like spiking a ball.No squeaks! Dumped water on it – dried fast. Best part? Tore it down in three minutes after game. Stacked panels behind garage shed.
Gotta say – cheaper than gym membership. Next time adding blue paint lines for court boundaries. Knees ain’t barking anymore.
