Alright, guys, let’s talk about this LVL basketball court flooring project I tackled. It was… an experience, to say the least. I’m no professional, just a guy who likes to get his hands dirty and see what he can do. So, I figured, how hard could it be to assemble a wooden basketball court floor? Turns out, “hard assembling” is in the name for a reason!

Getting Started

First, I unpacked everything. And, wow, that was a lot of wood. Big, heavy pieces of LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber), which is supposed to be super strong and stable. Okay, cool. It looked pretty straightforward in the pictures online… famous last words, right?

The “Fun” Begins

I laid out the first few pieces, trying to follow the very basic instructions that came with it. They weren’t exactly the most helpful things ever written. More like vague suggestions. I started connecting the pieces, which involved this tongue-and-groove system. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? It wasn’t.

Getting those pieces to fit together snugly was a workout. I was hammering, prying, and sweating like crazy. I even bent a few of the tongues, which was super frustrating. Note to self: be more gentle next time…maybe.

• Tip 1: Don’t underestimate the force needed, but also don’t go full Hulk on it.
• Tip 2: A rubber mallet is your best friend. A regular hammer? Not so much.
• Tip 3: Patience is key. Lots and lots of patience.

The Middle Stretch (A.K.A. The “Why Did I Start This?” Phase)

Once I got the hang of it (sort of), it became a bit of a repetitive process. Lay down a piece, align it, hammer it in, repeat. My back started to ache, my knees were complaining, and I’m pretty sure I invented a few new swear words.

I also realized that my “perfectly level” garage floor wasn’t so perfect after all. There were some slight dips and bumps, which made getting a truly flat surface a real challenge. I ended up using some shims (thin pieces of wood) to try and level things out, but it wasn’t ideal.

The Final Push

After what felt like an eternity, I finally got the last piece in place. I stood back to admire my handiwork… and it was… okay. Definitely not perfect. There were a few gaps here and there, and the whole thing wasn’t exactly as smooth as a professional court, but it was done!

I bounced a basketball on it a few times, and it felt pretty solid, which was a relief. I’m not sure I’d host any NBA games on it, but for some casual hoops, it’ll do just fine.

Lessons Learned

Would I do it again? Maybe. It was definitely a learning experience. I gained a new appreciation for professional flooring installers, that’s for sure.

So, there you have it. My adventure in “hard assembling” a wooden basketball court floor. It was tough, frustrating, but ultimately rewarding. If you’re thinking of tackling a similar project, just be prepared for a challenge, and remember those tips!