The Best Practice Dance Flooring Options Tiles Dance

Home dance flooring is a simple and cost-effective solution for anyone interested in becoming a Rockette or simply having a little more practice room. Make sure you know how to pick the right flooring for your home.

Outside the studio, you can construct a practice space in your house with a variety of different types of flooring.

Installing and maintaining dance floors at home is easy when you follow this guide, which will teach you everything you need to know.

Types of Home Dance Flooring

Tiles and Marley rolls are the two most common forms of flooring you may install in your house. Each has its own advantages and advantages over the other. Here’s a breakdown so you can decide which option is better for you.

Practice Dance Tiles for Home

Tiles and Marley rolls are the two most common forms of flooring you may install in your house. Each has its own advantages and advantages over the other. Here’s a discussion of the pros and cons of each option, so you can make an informed decision.

Homeowners can choose between two major forms of flooring: tiles and Marley rolls. There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these approaches. If you’re unsure which option is best for you, here is a breakdown of the pros and cons.

• Tiles and Marley rolls are the two most common forms of flooring you may install in your home. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision.
• For those times when you need to use your area for something else, dance tiles are a terrific option. As a bonus, you can bring them along on a trip.
• Designed to last: They don’t require a lot of cleaning or care and are engineered to withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. That implies you’ll be able to dance more often.

Cons:

• It’s worth paying a little more for all the time and work saved, even if the price is a little higher.
• Not as versatile: Dance tiles are typically used for social dancing or as a small practice area in other dance disciplines.

Marley Roll Flooring for Home

Marley rolls are vinyl-based dance tracks. With exactly the right amount of “fastness,” they allow for spins and other intricate footwork while yet providing slip control. From an older brand that grew so successful, “Marley” has become synonymous with vinyl dancing rolls.

Pros:

• In terms of grip and slip, marley rolls are the best option for all types of dance.
• To use, simply roll it out, tape it down, and have some fun.
• Dance tiles are more expensive, whereas Marley rolls are more affordable.

Cons:

• Because dance rolls are so large, it can be difficult to find a place to store them.
• To shift your floor, you’ll have to lift it and move it yourself, which can be a pain if you have a shared space.

The Best Practice Dance Flooring Options

Having trouble deciding what to buy? A home dance studio can benefit greatly from the use of one of our dance floors. Make an effort to look at all the alternatives!

3’x3’ Practice Dance Floor

Turns and choreography can be practiced comfortably on the 3’x3′ surface. You can put it down next to the counter and do an entire ballet barre section at home with plies, tendus, etc.

Just the right size for turning and choreography practice, this 3-by-3-foot area is perfect. Plies, tendus, and other elements of a ballet barre can be practiced in the comfort of your own home.

The best part is that it’s light and portable. For safety, make sure to place your floor over a hard, level subfloor and not plush carpet.

Practice Dance Tile Kits

This dance floor kit comes in a variety of sizes, so you can customize it to fit your practice area. For a polished appearance, it is supplied with edge pieces.

Dance tiles are easy to install and dismantle, allowing for many applications. Our Practice Dance Tile Kits are perfect for a variety of purposes, including teaching novices to dance the ballet or line, or serving as event flooring.

Practice Dance Tiles

These tiles can be used for ballet, tap, jazz, parties, and more. They are easy to transport, adaptable, and enjoyable. They’re our go-to dance floor tile.

Tiles created in the United States that appear and feel like real wood can be found here. They’ll give your home the look of a high-end New York City studio!

As an added bonus, you may use these dance tiles both inside and outside. Just make sure you don’t use luxurious carpet as a subfloor but rather a hard, level one.

ProStep Dance Floor Package with Subfloor

ProStep’s dance floor roll comes with a supporting subfloor as part of the kit. It’s the perfect low-cost option for your own personal dance floor. The only need is that it be installed on a hard, level surface.

This dance roll kit is suitable for contemporary styles, hip hop, lyrical, and jazz. You can also practice ballet, excluding pointe.

Home Dance Subfloors

For modern dance forms including hip hop, lyrical dance, and jazz, this dance roll kit is a good choice. Ballet, eliminating pointe work, is also an option.

This dance roll kit is appropriate for modern dance styles, such as hip hop, lyrical, and jazz. Ballet can be practiced without the use of pointe shoes.

3/8″ Home Dance Subfloor Tiles

For modern dance forms including hip hop, lyrical dance, and jazz, this dance roll kit is a great option. Ballet can also be practiced without the use of pointe shoes.

Pointe shoes should not be placed on this subfloor. If paired with a VersaStep floor, it can be utilized for introductory/beginner levels of ballet, jazz, modern, and tap.

VersaStep, Adagio Tour, and reversible ProStep dance floor rolls are all compatible with this product.

Premium Home Dance Subfloor Kits

It’s a big step forward! Stability is ensured by the use of foam subflooring and a strong plastic top layer.

Ballet (including pointe work), jazz, and modern can all be practiced on our Premium Dance Subfloor Kits. Because of the improved acoustics provided by the hard top, they make excellent taps.

This flooring is suitable for dancers of all levels and genres thanks to the thick layer of ultra-durable plastic on top. Because of this, it is an excellent substitute in situations when standard sprung subflooring is not a viable.

How to Install Practice Dance Flooring

Installing Dance Floor Tiles

Each dance flooring option has specific installation instructions, but the basics are always the same. The edges of the dance floor tiles interlock with a click, making installation a breeze.

Simply follow these six easy steps to get started:

1. Place the first tile with the peg edges facing towards the corner, starting at one corner. It’s best if the looped sides face out.
2. Insert the second tile’s pegs into the first tile’s loops. To join the tiles, gently step on their edges. When you’ve completed one side of your dance floor, continue on to the next.
3. First, connect the bottom of your first-row tile to its corresponding top tile.
4. Fill in the rest of the floor using the same method.
5. Add any final edge pieces you’ve bought. Peg or loop edges are available. Lay down the peg edges first to make sure you have enough before you click them into position. Start with the edges.
6. In the same way that you counted the peg edges, count all of the loop edges. Loop edges can be inserted into the floor when you’re ready.

Note that if you’re laying tiles to cover the entire floor, you’ll be cutting them to fit when you come across a wall. Tile cutters or power saws fitted with fine-toothed blades are ideal for this task. A 3/4-inch gap should be left for tile expansion or contraction.

Installing Dance Floor Rolls

Double-sided tape works well for attaching the Marley dance floor rolls. It has a good grip, yet it’s easy to get rid of.

1. When you’ve finished unrolling the flooring, give it some time to settle so that it’s completely flat. There is a possibility that this could take two days or longer.
2. Install the roll with the glossy side facing down and the matte side facing upwards. Calendaring adds a little roughness to the performance top to help keep it from slipping.
3. Use a straight edge and a utility knife if you need to cut it to fit. To allow for expansion and contraction, leave a 1/4-inch space between the roll and any adjacent walls or surfaces that may be touched.
4. Make sure there aren’t any ripples by adhering the roll to the floor with double-sided carpet tape on the bottom of each edge.
5. A little extra material may accumulate around the margins when laying over foam tiles. Use Mat Tape to secure this additional border to the primary floor, creating a tapered installation. Tape the perimeter to the subfloor tiles using Mat Tape if there is no extra at the edges.
6. Mat tape can be used to bind the seams of many rolls.

The tape may need to be replaced over time when it wears or tears from footwork. Every few months, you should replace the upper tape. Underneath, the double-sided tape can last for several years.

How to Clean and Maintain Dance Flooring

Our dance floors are strong, long-lasting, and easy to transport. You may rest assured that this floor will serve you well for many years of practice with several offering warranties of up to 12 years.

Just vacuum or sweep up any loose crumbs, dust, or other debris to keep it clean. If the filth is more stubborn, use a light soap and water solution to damp mop the floor. There isn’t a lot of commotion, which means less time spent cleaning and more time spent practicing!

The best dance studio flooring options for every style

Whether you’re just starting out or have been running a dance school for a long time, you know that a good dance floor is essential. Safety and performance of both staff and students are dependent on the floor. You need expertise and the correct flooring to do these beautiful leaps and spins across the room.

What kind of flooring is best for a dance studio, and how do you know?

There are two main options for flooring: wood or vinyl, and there are numerous varieties of each. It doesn’t matter what type of dance you teach at your class; there is an option for you.

Marley dance floors

Marley is a record that is specifically made to be danced to. Marley flooring is widely used in the dance industry and is available in a variety of textures, including soft and hard (dense). In terms of affordability and flexibility, soft vinyl flooring, such as Marley, is ideal. The durability of dense vinyl makes it an excellent choice for multipurpose studios.

Some Marley floors come with a cushioned backing, which eliminates the requirement for a floating subfloor in those cases. Typically, Marley flooring feature fiberglass linings that stabilize the surface and help it lie level.

It will allow you to select a surface that is perfect for the dance styles you teach if you want Marley.

Benefits of Marley flooring:

• There is less upkeep.
• Easy to set up
• Economical
• Foam-backed, reversible, and multipurpose options are also available.
• Options for transport, portability, and long-term installation

Hardwood dance floors

For dance studios, hardwood flooring with a floating SpringFlex subfloor is a possibility as well. Elegant, warm, and versatile, these surfaces can be employed for a wide variety of dance forms and occasions. Choose from a wide range of hardwoods, including maple, oak, and more. With appropriate care, hardwood flooring may last for decades.

It’s possible to have hardwood floors that aren’t permanently attached to the ground. They don’t require screws or sanding and may be taken apart and replaced in a different spot with ease.

Benefits of hardwood flooring:

• The design is pleasant to the eye
• Long-lasting
• Ideal for genres of dance requiring hard-soled footwear.
• Multi-purpose studios with a suitable floor finish.
• Portable or permanent setups are offered.

The materials you shouldn’t use

Laminate, most engineered wood, and bamboo are among the materials that should not be used in dance studios. For a dance studio that doesn’t have the option of making them more user-friendly, they can end up being quite slippery. When they are scratched, they are tough to restore.

Matching dance floors and dance styles

There are a variety of dance floor options that are better suited to certain dance genres. Ballet studios require a more slip-resistant floor than tap or hip-hop studios. When teaching a variety of dance styles, it’s crucial to choose a flooring type that works for all of them.

#1. Ballet and pointe

Depending on the dance genres being taught, studios need a sprung or floating subfloor and a slip-resistant surface that is suited for their needs.

There are many Marley styles available, including Quietstep for cushioning jumps, reversible Bravo, and Dancestep Plus flooring with fiberglass for added stability and dual density foam backing for direct installation over concrete.

#2. Modern and contemporary

There are a variety of Marley designs available, including Quietstep for cushioning jumps, reversible Bravo, and Dancestep Plus flooring with fiberglass for extra stability and dual density foam backing for direct installation over concrete.

#3. Tap and jazz

In order to play tap, you’ll need a floor that can both amplify sound and hold up under heavy use. Dancers want a floor that vibrates as they shuffle or paradiddle because sound is so important. To do tap and jazz, you need a floor that is easier to slide on than ballet’s.

Maple or oak hardwood flooring are good choices. Avoid using soft wood, such as pine, because metal taps will damage it.

Check out our selection of portable hardwood flooring for the studio. Take a look at the Encore hardwood floors. Temporary or permanent installations are no problem for this robust Marley floor, which has excellent sound absorption and a long service life. The subfloor is primarily responsible for amplifying sound, therefore be certain that your floating subfloor is up to the task. There is negligible energy absorption in rubber, carpet underlayment, or foam tiles.

#4. Hip hop and street dance

Hip hop is a fast-paced, high-intensity genre of music. If you’re dancing, you’re likely to be wearing shoes that aren’t made of vinyl. Timestep, a dense Marley, can be used in place of hardwood flooring.

#5. Ballroom

Ballroom dancing is best practiced on a wooden floor because of the high heels needed. If you’re looking for a world-class ballroom, go no farther than Encore.

Find your dance floors at Stagestep

Is a multifunctional floor in your future? Do you require a specific item for a specific kind of dancing? In addition to ballet and modern, there are opportunities for tap, jazz, and street dance on a variety of dance floors from Marley to hardwood.

It has been Stagestep’s mission for more than 50 years to provide high-quality dance floors, subfloor systems, and installation supplies to the dance community worldwide. To discover more about Stagestep’s flooring alternatives, please fill out the form on this page.

How Much Thickness Should You Plan For A Dance Floor?

The thickness of a dance floor depends on factors such as safety, practicality, and the needs of your students while you’re planning an installation.

There are some dance floors that require a lot of cushioning for the dancers. Others may place more value on having a firm foundation in order to avoid slipping.

Make sure to inspect the location where your project will be installed. To swing a door over the floor, will you require clearance? Are you worried that a raised floor’s exposed edge will be a tripping hazard?

We have a variety of dance floor thicknesses to meet your demands, and they’re all safe, durable, and responsive.

Maximum Cushioning

If you need a lot of cushion in your dance floor, you can choose from a few different products depending on how thick you want it to be.

Rubber subfloor underlayment is an option for some consumers. Rolls of rubber are used to cover marley or other dance floors. To compensate for the lack of cushioning in thin and stiff vinyl used in marley flooring – notably on concrete – the rubber provides an adequate level of cushioning

A 6 mm underlayment roll (about 1/4 inch thick) is available, as is a 1/2 inch thick underlayment roll.

A dance floor with a thickness ranging from 0.25 inches to 0.55 inches can be made with a marley floor and rubber underlayment.

The Sprung Dance Floor is at the other end of the subfloor thickness spectrum. For a performance or practice session, this flooring is appropriate. Sturdy tiles interlock with each other to create a sprung floor.

Each panel has a foam pad on the bottom that provides resilience, allowing the floor to bend and absorb the pressure of a dancer’s movements or leaps. In addition, it’s built to last, ensuring that dancers have a solid base to stand on.

It is estimated that the sprung floor panels each have a thickness of 2 inches.

Greatmats has a selection of eva foam, foam/plastic, and rubber/plastic combo flooring solutions for dancers in the middle ground.

Reliable Footing

Marley dance flooring is an excellent option if your dancers need a solid footing.

We provide the Rosco Marley Dance Floor Reversible roll to ballet dancers who require a controlled slide action. Non-skid and semi-matte texture on top of vinyl make this material ideal for ballet slippers.

The thickness of a roll of marley flooring can range from around 1.5 mm (about 0.06 inches) to about 3 mm (about 0.12 inches).

On a hard subfloor, the marley can be laid straight on top without much cushioning. Dance floor thickness can be an issue in some situations, such as when you need to open a door into the room where the marley is installed and you don’t have the clearance space.

If you choose with one of the above subfloor alternatives, make sure your door opens away from the dance floor or give space around the door to open.

Eliminating Tripping Hazards

Keeping tripping hazards in mind when comparing dance floor thickness specifications is another issue.

With an exposed edge, it’s possible for people to trip over thick flooring, such as 0.5 inches or more, as they move around the room.

A ramped border (or reducer) can be used to prevent tripping over the edge of the floor in several situations.

Additionally, Greatmats offers a variety of reduction ramps, which are suitable for situations where a dance floor product does not ship with its own border ramps but has a thickness that makes tripping a problem.

Fitting the Available Space

A wall-to-wall installation rather than an island installation will help lessen the risk of someone stumbling over the flooring you’ve just installed.

It doesn’t matter how thick your wall-to-wall dance floor is; there will be no exposed border edge that could cause someone to stumble. (Installing a wall-to-wall floor still necessitates consideration of the required door clearance.)

When installing wall-to-to-wall, you may have to trim the floor’s edge to fit the available area. A utility knife and a straight edge work well for cutting thin marley vinyl flooring.

When using a product like the Portable Dance Floor Tile, you can also cut the tiles to fit. There are 5/8-inch thick ceramic tiles in this set. Using a utility knife will work, but a power saw will make the job go faster.

When it comes to finding the right dance flooring thickness for your house or studio, you can rely on Greatmats.

Dance Flooring FAQs

Some typical inquiries about home dance flooring are answered here.

Can You Put Home Dance Flooring Over Carpet?

As long as the carpet isn’t too luxurious, you can add dance flooring over it. Dance tiles can frequently be put together directly on low pile carpet. For Marley rolls, you must first lay down plywood boards to establish a solid foundation.

Can You Practice Pointe at Home?

If you have the proper flooring, you can do your pointe work at home. Tiles or a Marley roll need to be used with a sturdy subfloor underneath when setting up a dance floor. Injury might occur if you practice too much outside of class or use the inappropriate flooring.

Can You Tap Dance on Marley Flooring?

If you have the correct subfloor, you can tap dance on Marley flooring. If you don’t have a solid subfloor, you won’t be able to get the best sound from your music.

How much is a dancing floor?

According to Rental HQ, outdoor gatherings might benefit from dance floors made of durable polypropylene. There are a wide range of prices: Costs range from $215 to $325 based on the type of flooring used for a 12×12 dance floor rental for a 100-person wedding. The cost of renting a single portion ranges from $5 to $30.

What is the best material for a dance floor?

When it comes to a high-end dancing studio, nothing beats hardwood floors. In addition to being gorgeous to look at, this piece is high-performance and can be used in any kind of dance. To prevent dancers from injuring themselves, you must guarantee that the subfloor is sprung with hardwood.

What floors are good for dancing?

Elegant, warm, and versatile, these surfaces can be employed for a wide variety of dance forms and occasions. Choose from a wide range of hardwoods, including maple, oak, and more. With appropriate care, hardwood flooring may last for decades. It’s possible to have hardwood floors that aren’t permanently attached to the ground.

Home Dance Flooring Reviews

In a word: “Perfect.” I received everything I ordered in a timely manner and it was of excellent quality. It’s no secret that my daughter, a high school senior dancer, has a soft spot for the stage. She required a floor where she could rehearse and demonstrate Modern, Ballet, and Pointe movements correctly for her college admission audition tapes this year. Most of the colleges she applied to accepted her.”

Conclusion

Are you in the mood to get your groove on? Let us know whether you’d like a sample of our dance tiles or a full-blown dance floor kit today.