Okay so here’s how my garage basketball dream went down. Wanted a half-court setup since my driveway’s all cracked and my dog keeps stealing the ball. Saw fancy hardwood floors online but nah – too pricey and permanent. Googled “DIY portable court” for three nights straight until I found this soft maple + rubber combo idea.

The Hunt for Stuff

Drove to three lumber yards Tuesday morning. First place tried selling me oak planks – way too heavy. Second spot had warped boards smelling like fish. Finally scored smooth Canadian soft maple at that sketchy warehouse off Route 9. Guy gave me discount cause the edges weren’t perfect. Grabbed industrial rubber sheets too – the kind they put under gym equipment.

Living Room Chaos Factory

Cleared out my entire living room Wednesday after work. Measured twice then started hacking:

• Cutting maple planks with my jigsaw – wood dust EVERYWHERE, wife texting me angry emojis
• Laying rubber underlayer like giant puzzle pieces – used gorilla tape on seams
• Screwing planks together over the rubber, almost drilled through my pinky twice

Neighbor walked in halfway, said “You building a bowling alley?” Almost cried laughing.

Test Run Disaster

Dragged finished sections to driveway Thursday. My kid dribbled twice – BOOM. Bottom left plank flew off like a missile. Turned out I forgot cross-bracing! Added support beams while eating cold pizza at midnight. Re-tested Saturday morning: dribbled, jumped, landed clean. Maple gave that nice springy feel, rubber muffled the thuds.

What Actually Works

• Portable? Each 4×8 section folds like an accordion – slides into garage corner
• Bounce? Ball reacts better than concrete, less dead than pure rubber floors
• Rookie mistake? Should’ve sealed wood BEFORE assembling. Rain warped two panels already

Total cost $380 vs $3k premade courts. Would I do it again? Hell yes – but definitely outdoors next time. Wife’s still finding wood chips in the couch cushions.