I got tired of dancing on my old floor that felt like concrete – my knees were screaming after every practice session. So, I decided to upgrade to something bouncier and shock-absorbent, choosing larch wood because it’s tough yet springy, perfect for avoiding injuries. That’s how this whole project kicked off.

Starting the Planning Phase

First up, I figured out what I needed: a wooden floor that wouldn’t shake the whole house when I jumped around. I went online to dig into shock-absorbent setups for dancing. Found a few forums where folks talked about using special underlayments and thicker wood layers. Larch caught my eye ’cause it’s known for its flex and durability, like in outdoor decks but softer underfoot. Didn’t want anything fancy or pricy, just basic stuff that works.

• Measured my room – it’s small, about 10 feet by 12 feet.
• Priced out materials at the local hardware store: larch planks were cheaper than I thought.
• Skipped calling a pro and decided to do it all myself to save cash.

Gathering the Materials

Next, I hit up a nearby lumber yard early one Saturday. I picked out the larch wood planks – level ones labeled LVL for consistent thickness, no warping or knots. Then grabbed a shock-absorbent underlayment roll, rubbery stuff that costs way less than fancy pads. Added tools to the list: a hammer, nails, saw, and a level tool to keep things flat. Loaded everything into my old truck and hauled it home, sweating buckets in the summer heat.

Ran into a snag right away: some planks were uneven, so I returned the wonky ones and exchanged them for straighter cuts. Totaled about $500 for everything, way under budget.

Installing the Floor Layer by Layer

I began by ripping out the old flooring – carpet was nasty and glued down, took me hours to tear it up. Cleaned the subfloor with a broom and wipe-down. Then laid out the shock-absorbent underlayment, cutting it to size with a utility knife. Made sure to roll it smooth with no gaps; pushed down hard to stick it firm. That part felt straightforward.

Now for the fun part: putting down the larch wood planks. Started at one corner of the room, lined them up end-to-end. Hammered in nails gently at angles so they don’t split. Worked my way across the floor, checking with the level every few feet to avoid dips or bumps. Got sore elbows from all the hammering – took a coffee break halfway.

Midway through, a big problem popped up: one section creaked loudly when I stepped on it. Turned out I missed nailing a plank down tight. Fixed it by pulling out the loose one, adding extra nails, and re-strapping it. Took another hour, but no more noise.

Testing and Finishing Touches

After two days of work, I smoothed the whole surface with a sander to remove sharp edges. Applied a clear wood sealant to protect it from spills and sweat – just a thin coat, let it dry overnight. Finally, tested the shock absorption by jumping and dancing for real. Felt amazing: like bouncing on a soft mat, no jarring thuds, and the larch wood held up without cracking.

So now, I’ve got this killer dance floor that saves my knees, all DIYed for cheap. Lessons learned? Always double-check your nailing and don’t rush the underlayment. It’s holding strong after months, and my dance moves have never been safer or smoother.