Why I Chose Wood Floors for My Home Gym?
So last month I finally decided to pull the trigger on redoing my garage gym here in Dallas. That old concrete floor? Absolute back killer after 20 minutes of jump rope. Googled like crazy & landed on wood sport floors. Figured if it’s good enough for fancy pro basketball courts all over Texas, might work for my busted setup.
The Messy Shopping Around Phase
First thing? Called three lumber yards near Austin asking about maple strips. Man, the prices they threw out made my eyes water. One guy tried selling me engineered flooring saying it’s “just as bouncy”. Yeah, right. Almost gave up till my neighbor dragged me to some hole-in-the-wall supplier in San Antonio. Dude showed me actual samples of oak vs maple. Laid ’em flat, dropped a basketball. That thump difference? Sold me right there on maple.
Installation Headaches & Swearing
Rented a big truck to haul the wood myself – saved $200 but wasted a whole Saturday. Then came the real fun:
- Smashed my thumb twice hammering the moisture barrier layer
- Cussed for an hour trying to level the subfloor with this janky rental sander
- Argued with my wife about the pattern layout at midnight wearing respirators
Sweat literally dripped into my eyes installing planks near the garage door. Texas heat ain’t no joke even indoors!
The Money Pit (& Surprises)
Budget? What budget? That fancy maple cost way more than Reddit posts claimed. Then needed special adhesive after finding gaps, plus extra sealing coats cause humidity kept warping edges. Almost cried when I added it all up.
BUT? Worth every bloody dime and bruise. Played volleyball with the kids last weekend – knees didn’t ache afterwards! Ball bounces true. Sweat wipes right up. Even my wife admitted it looks “kinda pro”. Thinking of staining edges Longhorns burnt orange next spring.
Lessons Beat Up Into Me
- Pay extra for moisture testing BEFORE wood arrives
- Don’t trust “free installation quotes” without written adhesive specs
- Acclimate wood IN Texas weather for 2 weeks minimum
Bottom line? Wood sport floors rule for Texas home gyms – just get ready to work like a mule & bleed cash. Can’t imagine going back to concrete now.
