So I’ve been obsessed with volleyball lately, especially backyard games with friends, but our concrete patio was murder on the knees. That’s how I stumbled onto this removable solid wood flooring idea for home courts. Total game changer! Here’s exactly how I pulled it off.
Why I Didn’t Just Buy a Regular Court
Those interlocking foam tiles everyone uses? Tried ’em last summer. Absolute trash. They slid apart mid-game, soaked up rain like sponges, and our neighbor’s kid actually tripped on a curled-up edge. Needed something solid but still removable since we host BBQs here.
First Step: Sourcing Wood
Drove to the lumber yard feeling clueless. The dude there laughed when I said “volleyball court wood.” Ended up grabbing:
- Kiln-dried oak planks (2-inch thick!)
- Teak strips for borders
- Galvanized steel brackets
- A million stainless screws
Pro tip: splurge on quality wood. Cheap pine would warp faster than a noodle in rain.
The Sweat-Fest Assembly
Measured our 30x30ft space and nearly cried. Started laying planks one by one like giant puzzle pieces. Drill screamed for three days straight connecting planks with those L-shaped brackets. My thumbs were purple from screwing things tight enough that you could bounce quarters off the surface.
Biggest headache? Getting everything level. Our patio slopes slightly for drainage. Solved it by shaving millimeter-thin wedges under some planks. Mad respect to carpenters now – this stuff requires insane patience.
The Magic Removable Part
This is where the teak strips saved my life. Created 5x5ft square modules with bordered edges. To disassemble? Just unscrew the corner brackets. Each square comes apart in 45 seconds flat. We store ’em vertically against the garage wall during winter.
One Year Later Thoughts
Played 20+ games on this beauty. The wood weathered two storms without warping. Only maintenance? Quick sanding where sneakers grip hardest plus annual oiling. Only regret? Should’ve made it 3-feet wider. Always argue with Mike over line calls now.
This project ate my weekends but holy heck – nothing beats spiking a ball on your own professional-feeling court while burgers sizzle nearby!
