So, I’ve been wanting to put up some decent backboards in my backyard for a while now. I did some digging around and decided to go with batten basketball hevea timber. Here’s how the whole thing went down.

Getting Started

First things first, I had to figure out how much timber I actually needed. I measured out the area where I wanted the backboards, jotted down the dimensions, and then spent a good chunk of time online looking at different suppliers. It was a bit of a headache, to be honest, lots of comparing prices and delivery times.

Prepping the Timber

Once the timber arrived, it was time to get to work.

• Unpacking and Inspection: I laid out all the pieces and checked for any obvious damage or warping. A couple of pieces had some minor dings, but nothing major.
• Cutting to Size: I used a circular saw to cut the battens down to the right size for the backboard frames. It wasn’t perfect, my saw skills aren’t exactly pro-level, but I got it done.

Building the Frames

Assembling is my favorite.

With the pieces cut, I started assembling the frames. I used some heavy-duty wood glue and screws to hold everything together. It was pretty straightforward, just making sure everything was square and lined up properly. Clamps are definitely your friend here! I left them clamped up overnight to let the glue really set.

Finishing Touches

After the frames were solid, I gave them a good sanding to smooth out any rough edges. Then, I applied a couple of coats of outdoor sealant to protect the wood from the elements. I wanted these things to last! I let the sealant dry completely, which took another day.

Mounting the Backboards

The final step was mounting the backboards. This was definitely a two-person job. My buddy came over, and we carefully lifted the frames into place and secured them to the posts I’d already set in concrete. We used some hefty bolts and washers to make sure they were rock solid.

And that’s it! It took a couple of weekends, and there were a few moments where I questioned my DIY abilities, but seeing the finished backboards up and ready for some hoops action was totally worth it. My kids were all over it.