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Selecting the Right Dance Flooring

Sponsored content by HARLEQUIN FLOORS

  • 01/01/14

Are you specifying a floor to be used for dancing? Harlequin Floors will answer all your questions to ensure you provide the right flooring for your school’s specific dancing requirements.

Why is a DANCE FLOOR mandatory and not a sports floor?

It is a common misperception that a well-designed sports floor will suit the needs of dancers. There are two intrinsic differences, however: the construction of the sprung subfloor and the performance surface.

Sprung dance floors have a combination of shock absorption and energy return. Sprung dance floors provide lift, but do not have excessive rebound (or a trampoline effect). A slip-resistant vinyl surface is vital to avoid slips and falls.

Sports floors have a high degree of energy return not suitable for dancing. Sports floors are also stiffer, because cushioned footwear keeps athletes’ feet comfortable, whereas dancers do not perform in sneakers. They are barefooted or in dance shoes, which require specific dance flooring.

To specify the correct floor, you need to know answers to questions such as: Which types of dance are to be performed? Is the flooring to be permanent or portable? Will the floor be in a theater or multipurpose room? Will the floor be used for touring? Is there an existing cement, wood or sprung subfloor? Are there moisture barriers, ceiling height limits, door swing or ramp requirements?

You will find a great deal of pertinent information at HarlequinFloors.com, including:

  • CAD drawings
  • Three-part specifications
  • ARCAT Spec Wizard
  • Product datasheets and downloads
  • Cleaning and maintenance information
  • Standards and tests CPM

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

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