Your choice of flooring for your dance studio is among one of the many important decisions you will have to make when creating your facility. Whether it’s ballet, hip hop, or ballroom, dance flooring needs to be incredibly durable and look fantastic. When it comes to the choice of material, the majority of people tend to end up with either sprung wood or vinyl flooring. Let’s break down the difference between the two and talk about the basics of dance flooring.
In this article:
- 2 Things to Know Before Choosing Your Dance Flooring
- Area Elastic vs Point Elastic Dance Flooring
- The Difference Between Wood and Vinyl Sprung Flooring
2 Things to Know Before Choosing Your Dance Flooring
With so many choices, companies, and recommendations to consider, it can feel overwhelming to make the right choice. But the best decision is the one that suits your needs and demands. You have the finish to consider such as oak or vinyl, but you also need to factor in the installation process and the type of flooring that is best suited for the way your body is moving. For example, some vinyl flooring comes with a cushioned back while others come with fibre glass linings. The truth is that the solution to your dance flooring may be a little more complex than you initially thought.
Do You Rent or Own the Dance Studio
Depending on your current situation, you may need something you can remove easily. If you’re renting a studio space, you will need a semi-permanent or even temporary flooring solution. This will mean you can remove the flooring without leaving any marks in the facility. However, if you own the dance studio facility, you have more freedom in what you choose and can install permanent flooring. Dance flooring is also suitable for events and temporary facilities like dance competitions.
The Type of Dance You Will Be Doing the Most
Think about the level of traffic at your studio and the type of dance you will be doing the most. The more abrasive the dance style, the more resilient the flooring needs to be. Because of the way the body moves during dance, flooring needs to resilient yet soft. It should be robust but still have a ‘give’ to it to support the movement.
For example, with tap dancing, you want each movement to produce a crisp sound. Whereas, with other styles of dancing, you may not want to hear any noise at all. As there are such wide variances within dance, it’s important to consider different factors when finding the best solution.
Although a surface can look great, it needs to have the right characteristics for dancing. Laminate flooring, for example, looks smooth and professional. However, it can be too slippery and has a thin surface that can scratch easily. Let’s take a look at a few different options you have available.
Area Elastic vs Point Elastic Dance Flooring
If you’re dancing in a venue or a rented space, you have the option to create temporary dance flooring. In general, this involves using dance floor tiles. Dance tiles are also a good choice for those looking to get some more practice in at-home. They tend to be very portable, lightweight, and easy to install. If you’re performing for an evening in a new location, dance tiles would be a great solution as you really don’t have the luxury of installing anything permanent. While they are not as versatile as other flooring solutions, they have their place if you’re looking to create flooring for dance that is entirely temporary.
When it comes to dance studio flooring, you will likely come across area elastic or point elastic flooring. The same applies to sports flooring and other specialist movements. These types of sports flooring feature different characteristics and properties that make them more suitable for a specific activity. In particular, they focus on reducing the risk of injury and improving performing, both of which are integral for a range of sports. The key elements for each type of flooring are:
- Area elastic - this type of flooring deflects impact over a wider surface area. This means there is a high level of shock absorption and comfort. The aim is to reduce fatigue and enhance performance.
- Point elastic - this type of flooring typically uses a foam-backed vinyl. The floor deflects at the point the dancer makes contact with the floor.
Depending on which type of elasticity suits you more, you can choose the elasticity you want with a finish that looks great. If you’re looking for a solution that is more multifunctional and plan on performing different styles of dance, then an area elastic system may be more suitable for you.
The Difference Between Wood and Vinyl Sprung Flooring
After searching through the internet for the right solution, you have probably arrived at either wood or vinyl sprung flooring. Both these types of flooring systems are perfect for a more permanent dance flooring solution.
One option for dance and fitness is Sprung wood flooring which features an innovative SmartFit installation. With a shock-absorbing layer, HDF board, and sport parquet, it would look and feel great in a dance studio. This type of flooring works for dance, fitness, and other sports. So, it’s ideal if you have a location that has multiple uses. The shock-absorbing layer creates plenty of ‘give’, traction and grip for movement.
Sprung sports vinyl flooring is a point elastic system that is ideal for sports, fitness, and dance. It features optimal slip resistance, good durability, and simple installation. The flooring includes three layers: double-foam backing, glass fibre reinforcement, and TECH Surface wear layer. If you want something more colourful with more design options, vinyl has a range of finishes available.
You want your dancers to glide with ease and look effortless. But you don’t want them to slip and slide uncontrollably. There’s a delicate balance between good traction and natural movement. Too much traction could actually increase the risk of injury. One of the most common injuries in dance is a twisted ankle. A dance injury can take weeks, if not months, to recover. That’s why it’s so important to get your dance flooring right from the beginning.
In Summary
There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing your dance flooring. If you need to install barres or ramps, you will need to think about the thickness of your floor. Other factors that play a part in your decision is the moisture in the building or strength of the subfloor. Although the options may seem overwhelming at first, you can make the best choice by considering all the elements of your dance studio. Your flooring solution should be suitable for the type of dance you plan on doing and create the right amount of bounce and energy return that dancers need to perform optimally.
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