Starting Point
So yesterday I got these fancy oak floorboards delivered – heavy as hell, smelled like fresh-cut trees. The label kept bragging about “shock absorption” and “dance-friendly” whatever that means. Figured my basement dance studio needed upgrade from concrete slab.
Prep Work Disaster
Cleared the whole space first. Swept till my back screamed, found like twelve dead spiders under old mats. Then I laid foam underlayment wrong twice. First time the tape didn’t stick, second time I put silver side down like a dumbo – supplier’s video clearly said silver UP for moisture.
- Unboxed planks
- Stuck ’em in room overnight
- Cut open foam roll with kitchen scissors (big mistake)
Snap Lock Nightmare
Started clicking boards along longest wall. First row went smooth but oh man, row two’s groove just WOULDN’T catch. Had to whack them with rubber mallet like crazy. One plank cracked when hammer slipped – sawdust everywhere. My dog ran off with scrap piece thinking it’s chew toy.
Realized I forgot expansion gap near pipes. Jackhammered installed planks apart swearing louder than construction site. Measuring tape got stuck twice.
Dance Test Reveal
Finished at 3AM covered in sweat/sawdust. Did test shuffle – and holy crap! Landed jump split I usually avoid cause concrete kills knees. This oak actually bounced! Tried tap shoes: no ear-splitting clacks, just muffled thuds. Even dropped dumbbell – barely made dent.
Final count: 3 splinters, 1 cracked plank, coffee stain near corner I’ll pretend is art. Would I do again? Hell yeah – but next time bribe friend with pizza first.
