Okay, here’s my shot at a blog post, channeling that down-to-earth, experienced blogger vibe:

Alright, so I tackled a project that’s been on my to-do list for, like, forever: putting down some decent flooring for my makeshift volleyball practice area. I’m no pro, but I love the game, and my concrete slab just wasn’t cutting it. I decided to go with a battened hard maple portable wooden floor – seemed like the best of both worlds, sturdy but I can move it if I need to.

Getting Started

First, I measured the heck out of my space. I mean, really measured. I didn’t want to end up short on materials or have a floor that didn’t fit. Then, I made a run to the local lumber yard (I use a local place, support small businesses). The place is like a candy store, but with wood instead of candy.

The Build

I laid down some pressure-treated battens first. These are just strips of wood to create a frame. The idea is to keep the maple flooring from directly contacting the concrete, allowing for airflow and preventing moisture issues. This bit was pretty straightforward, just a lot of cutting and screwing them into place. I made sure to use galvanized screws – gotta resist that rust!

• Cut the battens: I used a circular saw, but a hand saw would work too, just take a bit longer.
• Arrange them evenly: This part took some tweaking. I wanted good support across the whole floor.
• Screw them down: I pre-drilled pilot holes to make things easier (and prevent splitting).

Next came the maple. Oh boy, this was the fun part. The planks I got were tongue-and-groove, meaning they interlock. It’s like a giant puzzle! I started at one edge and just kept adding planks, tapping them together with a rubber mallet and a tapping block (don’t want to damage the edges!).

I had to rip the last row of planks to fit the remaining space. I also staggered the joints – it looks better and makes the floor stronger. The goal is to have a uniform finish for consistent ball bounce.

The Finish Line

Once all the planks were down, it was time for a bit of sanding. I rented a big floor sander, it’s best to use the proper tools for a big job like this. It kicked up a ton of dust, so I made sure to wear a good mask and seal off the area. Then, a few coats of polyurethane – that’s the stuff that makes it shiny and protects the wood. I let each coat dry completely before adding the next. Gotta be patient!

It took a good few days of work, but man, was it worth it! The floor looks amazing, and it feels so much better to play on than concrete. My knees are definitely thanking me. Plus, I can take it apart and move it if I ever need to. Not bad for a DIY project, right?