Okay, here’s my blog post about installing that basketball court flooring:

Alright, so I’ve been wanting a proper practice space for ages, and I finally decided to go for it. I’m talking about a real, honest-to-goodness basketball court floor. Not some concrete slab, but the good stuff – keel, soft maple, the whole nine yards. Portable, too, because, well, who knows where life will take me, right?

The Prep Work

First things first, I cleared out the area. This was a whole ordeal in itself. I had accumulated, like, a decade’s worth of junk in that space. Boxes, old furniture, you name it. I spent a solid weekend just hauling stuff out and making trips to the donation center.

Then came the leveling. My existing floor was… not exactly perfect. It had some dips and bumps. I’m no pro, so I watched a bunch of videos and figured out how to use self-leveling compound. Messy, but it got the job done. I poured it, spread it, and waited. That waiting part was killer.

Laying Down the Keel

The keel system I got was awesome. It’s composed with pieces that snap together, like giant puzzle pieces. I started in one corner and worked my way across. I got it with my friend together.

• Started in one corner. Made sure it was square, using, you know, a square.
• Snapped the pieces together. They had these little interlocking tabs. Pretty satisfying, actually.
• Used a rubber mallet to get them nice and tight. Didn’t want any gaps.
• Checked for level every few rows. Gotta keep things consistent.

The Maple Flooring

This is where it got real. The maple planks were beautiful – that light color, the smooth finish. So satisfying.

Laying the flooring was another matter. It’s all about precision. Each board had a tongue and groove, so they fit together snugly. I used a flooring nailer – rented one, because buying seemed excessive – to secure each plank to the keel. Nail, tap, nail, tap… it was a rhythm.

• Staggered the seams. You don’t want all the ends lining up. It looks weird and it’s weaker.
• Left a little expansion gap around the perimeter. Wood expands and contracts, you know.
• Cut the last row to fit. That involved some careful measuring and a circular saw. (Safety glasses are a must!)

Finishing Touches

Once all the flooring was down, I had to sand it. I rented a big floor sander for this. It’s noisy and dusty, but it made the floor incredibly smooth. I went over it a few times, using progressively finer grits of sandpaper. I used a big vac to suck up all of the dust and make the space look cleaner.

Finally, I applied several coats of polyurethane finish. This is what gives the floor that shine and protects it from spills and scuffs. I let each coat dry completely before applying the next. Patience is key here.

And… that’s it! It was a lot of work, I am not going to lie. But I tell you, I make it! Hitting that first shot on my very own, brand new, super smooth, soft maple basketball court – totally worth it. I am pretty proud of that.