I have been thinking about redoing my home basketball court floor for a while now. The old one has been in use for years, and it’s starting to show its age. So, I finally decided to bite the bullet and get it done. I did some digging around to see what my options were. It turns out there are quite a few choices out there – like, you’ve got your classic wood, some PVC or vinyl stuff, sport tiles, and even concrete or asphalt.
After weighing up the pros and cons, I leaned towards vinyl. It seemed like the most popular choice and I can see why. The price is not too crazy, and it sounds pretty tough.
I started by clearing out the old flooring. That was a bit of a workout in itself, I tell you! Ripping up the old stuff and hauling it out was no joke. But, I got it done.
- First, I made sure to get the right kind of vinyl. It’s important that it is suitable for sports, you know? I wanted something that could handle all the running, jumping, and dribbling without falling apart.
- Then, I prepped the concrete base. I had to make sure it was all smooth and level. I filled in any cracks and sanded down any rough spots. It’s a bit tedious, but I know it’s important to get this part right.
- Next up, I started laying down the vinyl. I had to roll it out carefully and make sure there weren’t any air bubbles or wrinkles. I used a big roller thing to press it down firmly. I had to be extra careful around the edges and corners to make sure everything lined up perfectly.
- Once the vinyl was all down, I had to let the adhesive set. I followed the instructions on the bucket, and it said to wait about 24 hours. It was tough being patient, but I knew it was important.
After the adhesive had fully dried, I decided to give the floor an oil-based finish. I had read somewhere that this is what most gyms use, and it gives that classic look. I applied a couple of coats, letting each one dry completely before adding the next.
Finally, I got to the fun part – painting the lines! I used some special court marking tape and paint to make sure everything was regulation size. It was a bit tricky to get the lines straight, but I think I did a pretty good job. Seeing the finished court with all the lines painted on was super satisfying.
In the end, the whole project took me about a week to complete, working on it in my spare time. It was definitely a lot of work, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. The new floor looks amazing, and it feels great to play on. I can’t wait to break it in with a game!
