Dance floor can be installed in a number of different ways to satisfy your needs. A temporary marley floor for touring or rehearsal in a borrowed space probably shouldn’t be glued down, but a stage used exclusively for dance might prefer something more permanent. Dance flooring when cared for properly can last for years. Part of proper care is using the right installation method for your purposes. Once a dance floor is glued down with adhesive, it should not be moved. On the flip side, a temporary floor should have its tape replaced every time it’s moved or about once per month if it’s down for a prolonged amount of time. Reusing dance floor tape is near impossible, so keep a few extra rolls on hand to make any last minute fixes that might be necessary. Temporary installation is the most common. It’s relatively easy, affordable, and designed for removal when the floor needs to be rolled up for storage or transport. The surface on which the dance floor is to be set should swept, mopped, and dried. Then the dance floor is rolled out and often “stomped†to remove any air bubbles.  2†wide gaff tape in a coordinating or contrasting color is used to tape down the outside edges of the dance flooring to hold it while the seams are being taped. The seams between the pieces are then covered over with either marley tape or more gaffer’s tape. It’s important to leave a small gap between rolls to avoid overlap and tape the seams so the floor is less likely to shift. If the seams are left open, dirt can easily get in between and make it easier to shift apart due to the movement of the dancers. When it’s time to move the floor, the tape is all pulled up and discarded. The flooring is rolled and stored or moved to a truck for transport. To save wear and tear on your knees and back when laying dance floor, our Tape Roller can make it a breeze. You can stand (YAY!) and tape down floor as you walk along the seams. It’s worth the price even with just one installation on your schedule. And in case you were wondering, the tape roller is Made in America. Semi-Permanent installation is a great way to install floor in a room that may be the dance room for this year, but you’re not sure if it’s going to be the in the same location next year. Semi- permanent installation is similar to temporary installation in that a lot of tape is used. In addition to tape on the edges and the seams as described above, double stick tape is used under the dance flooring and marley or gaff tape on top of the floor to be covered. The tape that is danced over will need to be taken up and replaced on a regular basis depending on wear. As tape is taken up, it’s a good idea to use dance floor cleaner to give the floor a good clean before putting new tape down. This will extend the life of the tape and save you money in the long run.
Permanently installed dance flooring. Photo by Missy S. CC by ND – 2.0
Permanent installation is for dance studios and performing arts spaces that have dedicated dance rooms and stages. The process uses adhesives to help the floor stay in place. This is special glue that is designed to work with the dance floor selected and the type of floor onto which the marley floor is placed. It helps to consult a professional flooring specialist when installing dance floor for permanent use. This is not something that can be peeled up and moved around as needed. The seams between the pieces of dance flooring may be taped or welded together depending on the floor and preference of those in charge. With propercare, a dance floor properly laid may last for years and years. We hope this has shed some light on the different types of dancefloorinstallation and helped you decided which is right for your space. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us here at StageSpot. We’re your friend in the entertainment business and ready to help.
Permanently installed dance flooring. Photo by Missy S. CC by ND – 2.0
