Open Forum

Plyron painted black is quite durable and popular. Whatever solution you decide upon, be sure it is something that can be maintained in house. The floor will look better and last longer if it can be touched up or a damaged piece replaced within a couple of hours. Often district operations staff or other "decision makers" are only familiar with high gloss gym type floors, so you might get some push back. 

~Dave

------------------------------
David Simpson
Performing Arts Center Manager
East China Schools
East China MI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2019 08:07
From: Darlene Shaw
Subject: stage flooring?

We are in the planning stages to re-surface our stage floor, which is currently plywood decking covered with carpet, and I need some input from my fellow directors and techies. What is the best option for stage flooring? Is there an industry standard? 

While our space is multi-purpose, its primary function is as our performance space, so I want to get this right.   I am looking for recommendations to include in my proposal.  

Darlene Shaw

Drama and Vocal Coach

Lafayette Christian School, LaGrange Georgia
"educating and inspiring this generation to impact the culture for Christ"

I would advise against Plyron unless you have a specific application for it.  Typically, the top layer of a stage floor is "sacrificial," meaning that it can be painted, cut, screwed into, etc, and the sheets can be replaced easily and cheaply.  Plyron is only made by one manufacturer so it is typically $$$$, and in my testing of the product, drywall screws will often snap off while trying to penetrate the upper layer, so actual wood screws may need to be used.  I recommend a masonite hardboard because it is usually inexpensive and is super easy to replace.  Hope this helps :-).

------------------------------
Tracy Nunnally
NIU - Professor/TD/Area Head
Vertigo - Owner/System Designer
ETCP Certified Rigger/Trainer
DeKalb, Illinois
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2019 14:18
From: David Simpson
Subject: stage flooring?

Plyron painted black is quite durable and popular. Whatever solution you decide upon, be sure it is something that can be maintained in house. The floor will look better and last longer if it can be touched up or a damaged piece replaced within a couple of hours. Often district operations staff or other "decision makers" are only familiar with high gloss gym type floors, so you might get some push back.

~Dave

------------------------------
David Simpson
Performing Arts Center Manager
East China Schools
East China MI

Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2019 08:07
From: Darlene Shaw
Subject: stage flooring?

We are in the planning stages to re-surface our stage floor, which is currently plywood decking covered with carpet, and I need some input from my fellow directors and techies. What is the best option for stage flooring? Is there an industry standard? 

While our space is multi-purpose, its primary function is as our performance space, so I want to get this right.   I am looking for recommendations to include in my proposal.  

Darlene Shaw

Drama and Vocal Coach

Lafayette Christian School, LaGrange Georgia
"educating and inspiring this generation to impact the culture for Christ"

When our new space was built, they installed a tongue in groove under placement of 1" plywood in two layers, but the covering is Masonite in 3 foot squares.   That way if one panel gets damaged you just replace it.  Sounds great with tap shoes on it and just needs to be painted every fall or so.

------------------------------
Robert Birdsong
Maumelle AR
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2019 08:07
From: Darlene Shaw
Subject: stage flooring?

We are in the planning stages to re-surface our stage floor, which is currently plywood decking covered with carpet, and I need some input from my fellow directors and techies. What is the best option for stage flooring? Is there an industry standard? 

While our space is multi-purpose, its primary function is as our performance space, so I want to get this right.   I am looking for recommendations to include in my proposal.  

Darlene Shaw

Drama and Vocal Coach

Lafayette Christian School, LaGrange Georgia
"educating and inspiring this generation to impact the culture for Christ"

I prefer to work on masonite or tempered hardboard and have done so professionally and educationally for years.  The most locally available form of that material for me comes in 4 x 8 sheet and is sold under the name "tempered hardboard".  This is just a top layer though, and is sacrificial, temporary and removable. 

In terms of the actual structural materials of the floor itself, it is critical to involve a theater consultant in this process as they are most familiar with the needs of theatrical spaces-- Erich Friend posts on this forum and can be very a very helpful resource.

------------------------------
Michael Johnson
Trinity NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2019 14:40
From: Robert Birdsong
Subject: stage flooring?

When our new space was built, they installed a tongue in groove under placement of 1" plywood in two layers, but the covering is Masonite in 3 foot squares.   That way if one panel gets damaged you just replace it.  Sounds great with tap shoes on it and just needs to be painted every fall or so.

------------------------------
Robert Birdsong
Maumelle AR

Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2019 08:07
From: Darlene Shaw
Subject: stage flooring?

We are in the planning stages to re-surface our stage floor, which is currently plywood decking covered with carpet, and I need some input from my fellow directors and techies. What is the best option for stage flooring? Is there an industry standard? 

While our space is multi-purpose, its primary function is as our performance space, so I want to get this right.   I am looking for recommendations to include in my proposal.  

Darlene Shaw

Drama and Vocal Coach

Lafayette Christian School, LaGrange Georgia
"educating and inspiring this generation to impact the culture for Christ"

Thank you all for your prompt and helpful information!

------------------------------
Darlene Shaw
Drama Coach
LaGrange GA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-04-2019 07:32
From: Michael Johnson
Subject: stage flooring?

I prefer to work on masonite or tempered hardboard and have done so professionally and educationally for years.  The most locally available form of that material for me comes in 4 x 8 sheet and is sold under the name "tempered hardboard".  This is just a top layer though, and is sacrificial, temporary and removable.

In terms of the actual structural materials of the floor itself, it is critical to involve a theater consultant in this process as they are most familiar with the needs of theatrical spaces-- Erich Friend posts on this forum and can be very a very helpful resource.

------------------------------
Michael Johnson
Trinity NC

Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2019 14:40
From: Robert Birdsong
Subject: stage flooring?

When our new space was built, they installed a tongue in groove under placement of 1" plywood in two layers, but the covering is Masonite in 3 foot squares.   That way if one panel gets damaged you just replace it.  Sounds great with tap shoes on it and just needs to be painted every fall or so.

------------------------------
Robert Birdsong
Maumelle AR

Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2019 08:07
From: Darlene Shaw
Subject: stage flooring?

We are in the planning stages to re-surface our stage floor, which is currently plywood decking covered with carpet, and I need some input from my fellow directors and techies. What is the best option for stage flooring? Is there an industry standard? 

While our space is multi-purpose, its primary function is as our performance space, so I want to get this right.   I am looking for recommendations to include in my proposal.  

Darlene Shaw

Drama and Vocal Coach

Lafayette Christian School, LaGrange Georgia
"educating and inspiring this generation to impact the culture for Christ"

We have installed and worked with architects to design flooring for theaters in the past, 

We typically suggest/recommend using High Temp Masonite, there are several types: single sided and double sided, standard and high temp

I recommend the double sided high temp Masonite, it is a dark brown color, tan sheets do not hold up as well.

Once you have the materials, you want to paint all the edges to seal out the ability to absorb moisture, then paint both faces... this will help prevent the problem of waving or warping. 

Installation, we have used pennies between the panels to allow for minor expansion.

Some facilities air nail the floor panels down and some use countersunk screws, I am a fan of the air nails as the screws never work when you need to replace the panels.

Good luck in your replacement.


------------------------------
Jerry Onik
V.P. Theatrical Supplies and Equipment
Omaha NE
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2019 08:07
From: Darlene Shaw
Subject: stage flooring?

We are in the planning stages to re-surface our stage floor, which is currently plywood decking covered with carpet, and I need some input from my fellow directors and techies. What is the best option for stage flooring? Is there an industry standard? 

While our space is multi-purpose, its primary function is as our performance space, so I want to get this right.   I am looking for recommendations to include in my proposal.  

Darlene Shaw

Drama and Vocal Coach

Lafayette Christian School, LaGrange Georgia
"educating and inspiring this generation to impact the culture for Christ"

Original Message------

We are in the planning stages to re-surface our stage floor, which is currently plywood decking covered with carpet, and I need some input from my fellow directors and techies. What is the best option for stage flooring? Is there an industry standard? 

While our space is multi-purpose, its primary function is as our performance space, so I want to get this right.   I am looking for recommendations to include in my proposal.  

Darlene Shaw

Drama and Vocal Coach

Lafayette Christian School, LaGrange Georgia
"educating and inspiring this generation to impact the culture for Christ"

Original Message------

We are in the planning stages to re-surface our stage floor, which is currently plywood decking covered with carpet, and I need some input from my fellow directors and techies. What is the best option for stage flooring? Is there an industry standard? 

While our space is multi-purpose, its primary function is as our performance space, so I want to get this right.   I am looking for recommendations to include in my proposal.  

Darlene Shaw

Drama and Vocal Coach

Lafayette Christian School, LaGrange Georgia
"educating and inspiring this generation to impact the culture for Christ"