Okay, here’s my blog post about installing batten dancing sleeper wooden flooring, written from my personal experience, step-by-step:
So, I decided to tackle a pretty ambitious project – installing batten dancing sleeper wooden flooring in my basement. I’d seen it done on some home improvement shows, and, you know, how hard could it be? (Famous last words, right?).
Prepping the Space
First things first, I cleared out the entire basement. This was a workout in itself! Furniture, boxes of old stuff, that weird exercise bike I never use… all of it had to go. Then came the fun part: cleaning. I swept, vacuumed, and even scrubbed the concrete floor to make sure it was as dust-free as possible. You don’t want any little particles messing with your flooring later on.
Laying Down the Moisture Barrier
Next, I rolled out a plastic moisture barrier over the entire floor. This is super important, especially in a basement, to prevent any moisture from the concrete seeping up into the wood. I overlapped the seams by about 6 inches and taped them down securely with some heavy-duty tape. I made sure it went up the walls a few inches too, just to be extra safe.
Building the Batten System
Now for the battens! I used treated lumber for this – 2x4s, to be exact. I measured the length of the room and cut the 2x4s to size. Then, I laid them out across the floor, parallel to each other, with about 16 inches of space between them. This is where the “dancing sleeper” part comes in – these battens will create a slight spring in the floor.
To secure the battens to the concrete, I used construction adhesive and concrete screws. I applied a generous bead of adhesive to the bottom of each batten, pressed it firmly onto the floor, and then drilled in the screws. It was a bit of a process, making sure everything was level and evenly spaced, but it was crucial for a good foundation.
Adding the Sleepers
Between the battens, I placed the “sleepers.” These are basically just shorter pieces of 2×4, cut to fit snugly between the battens. I staggered them, so they weren’t all in a straight line, to add more stability to the whole structure. I used more construction adhesive and some nails to secure these in place.
Installing the Plywood Subfloor
With the batten and sleeper system all set, it was time for the plywood. I used ¾-inch tongue-and-groove plywood. This stuff is pretty heavy, so I enlisted the help of a friend to carry it down to the basement. We laid the plywood sheets over the batten system, making sure the tongue-and-groove edges fit together tightly.
Then, I screwed the plywood down to the battens and sleepers. I made sure to use plenty of screws, about every 8 inches or so, to prevent any squeaking later on. I also left a small gap (about ¼ inch) around the perimeter of the room, to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood.
Laying the Wooden Flooring(Finally!)
Finally, the moment I’d been waiting for – laying the actual wooden flooring! I chose a beautiful prefinished oak. Starting along the longest wall, I placed the first row of planks, leaving that same ¼-inch expansion gap. I used a flooring nailer to secure the planks to the plywood subfloor. This thing is a lifesaver – it makes the job so much faster and easier.
I continued laying the planks, row by row, making sure to stagger the joints for a more natural look. I used a tapping block and a rubber mallet to tap the planks together tightly. For the last row, I had to rip the planks lengthwise to fit the remaining space. Luckily, I had a table saw, which made this a lot easier.
Finishing Touches
- Installed baseboards. Covered the expansion gap.
- Applied a coat of sealant. Used to provide extra protection.
And that’s it! It was a lot of work, and there were definitely some moments of frustration, but seeing the finished product made it all worthwhile. My basement now has a beautiful, warm, and slightly bouncy wooden floor – perfect for dancing (or just walking around comfortably!). It’s a project I’m really proud of, and I learned a ton along the way.
