Build A Dance Floor – What Types of Floors are Best?

If you own a dance school and you need to build a dance floor, or even buy dance floors here is some information that you may find helpful.

Build a Dance Floor

Most people will agree that a wooden dance floor that is sprung is the best type of dance floor to go with if you are thinking of building a permanent dance floor. Wood that has been finished nicely makes it far easier for the dancer to move and glide her feet along the floor.  It is difficult, as well as taxing on the legs to dance on concrete or even tiles.  It is also really bad for your knees to have the constant strain of landing on cement, as it has no give.

Linoleum floors tend to be too sticky and carpets are a no-no as you cannot slide around easily on them, and they will chomp up your ballet shoes in no time at all. Tiles are also too hard and have no give in them. They also have lines where the grouting goes in, so it makes it easier for the dancer to trip and injure herself.

If building a wooden dance floor, you will need to make sure that it is not sanded to smoothly and that the varnish that is used is not too slippery.  At our home studio, we only do a couple of layers of varnish over a roughly sanded floor (like a squash court) and this does help for slipperiness.

Make sure that the wood is not laid directly onto the concrete.  It works far better as a dance floor if it is sprung and few centimeters above, as the floor has far more pliability for when the dancers jump.

What About Harlequin Floors

Sprung Harlequin floors are wonderful if you can afford them, as they cater especially to every dancer and every dance type.

They have an exceptionally wide range of dance floors.  I personally, would love one fitted, but unfortunately, they don’t operate in South Africa.

Harlequin also has a range of portable dance floors, which can be ordered according to the space that you need.  These are a good option for those that need a floor that they can move around, or want to lay a floor over another floor in the meantime until they can afford to put in a decent floor.

These are also a great option if you want to build a dance floor for a wedding or function.  If it is an outdoor function, then there is a range of floors that will suit your needs.

Another great floor idea that Harlequin has, is a floating floor system composed of sprung dance floor panels and available for either permanent dance studio installation or as stage panels for touring.   They are designed for safety and suitable for a range of dance disciplines, when combined with a Harlequin dance surface Liberty LatchLoc™ provides the ultimate floor, allowing performers to concentrate on their art without fear of falling or injury.

If you want a floor that you can practice on at home, you can build a dance floor right there in your living room. There is a wide assortment of colors available to choose from that will compliment any lounge or living space.

How to Build a Dance Floor in the form of  Your Own Portable DIY Dance Floor

Here is a cheap method to build a makeshift dance floor at home in your lounge, study or bedroom for your aspiring ballerina to dance on.

You will need 3 x sheets of fiberboard that are about 3/4 inches thick, Some remnants of carpet, Wood Glue and Wood Sealant.

This creates an 8 by 12-foot dance floor.  Adjust your fiberboard according to what size you want.

Stick carpet to the underneath of your fiberboard with the carpet side facing outwards.  This prevents the wood from scratching the floor underneath, and if it is used on top of carpet, then it won’t move around.   Seal the top of the wood with wood sealant and once dry, lay the panels of wood next to each other.  Voila – your own mini dance floor.

To find out more about other options for dance floors, click here or on the images below.

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