Okay, here’s my blog post about installing LVL Basketball oak wooden flooring, written in the style and tone you requested:

Alright, so I decided to tackle a pretty big project – putting down a new oak floor for my indoor basketball practice area. I went with LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) because I heard it was tough and could handle the abuse. Let me tell you, it was a journey!

First, I cleared out the entire space. This was step one, and honestly, it was a workout in itself. Moving all that stuff out made me realize how much junk I had accumulated!

Next, I had to make sure the subfloor was level. This part was crucial. I used a long level and found a few dips. I filled those low spots with some self-leveling compound. It’s like pouring pancake batter, but way less tasty. You pour it on, and it magically finds its own level. Science, I guess!

Once the leveling compound was dry (I gave it a good 24 hours, just to be safe), I rolled out an underlayment. I chose a moisture barrier underlayment cause below is concrete. It’s essential for keeping the floor for long time use.

The Real Work Begins!

Now for the fun part – laying down the actual LVL planks! I started along the longest wall, making sure to leave a small expansion gap. This is important because wood expands and contracts with temperature changes. If you don’t leave a gap, you’ll end up with a buckled floor, and nobody wants that.

I used a nail gun to secure the planks to the subfloor. Bang, bang, bang! It’s pretty satisfying, to be honest. Just make sure you’re wearing safety glasses – flying nails are no joke.

• Measure twice, cut once! This old saying is totally true. I messed up a few cuts and had to chuck some perfectly good wood. Rookie mistake.
• Stagger the joints. You don’t want all the seams to line up. It looks weird, and it’s structurally weaker. Think bricklaying – you never see bricks stacked directly on top of each other, right? Same principle.
• Interlock the LVL properly. You can hear a click when you interlock them.

I worked my way across the room, row by row. It took a couple of days, working a few hours each day. My back was definitely feeling it, but seeing the floor take shape was super motivating.

Finally, I installed the baseboards around the perimeter of the room. This hides the expansion gap and gives it a nice, finished look. I used a miter saw to cut the corners at 45-degree angles. Getting those angles perfect is tricky, but I managed (after a few practice cuts, of course).

And that’s it! My new LVL basketball oak floor is done. It looks amazing, and it feels solid underfoot. I’m already looking forward to shooting some hoops on it. It was a lot of work, but definitely worth it. If I can do it, anyone can… just be prepared to sweat!