Open Forum

Good morning,
I'm wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for a dance floor that we can put down to protect our wood stage floor when we use tap shoes.  We used them once and it chewed up the floor pretty good (enough that the powers that be want us to protect it).  We've tried a vinyl dance flooring but it deadens the taps to the point where they can't be heard.  Masonite is expensive... so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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Holly Thompson
Worthington OH
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What's the floor made of? Our dance studio was recently re-floored by our landlord. He chose white pine for cost, not realizing the damage tap shoes would do.

Our solution was to refinish the floor. We rented a floor sander to even out the damage, then did two coats of satin-finish polyurethane. The damage has been covered, the finish is effective at protecting the floor from further distress, and it looks a thousand percent better than tung-oil-treated white pine. We did it all (including sander rental) for less than $250.

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Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2017 08:20
From: Holly Thompson
Subject: dance floor

Good morning,
I'm wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for a dance floor that we can put down to protect our wood stage floor when we use tap shoes.  We used them once and it chewed up the floor pretty good (enough that the powers that be want us to protect it).  We've tried a vinyl dance flooring but it deadens the taps to the point where they can't be heard.  Masonite is expensive... so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

------------------------------
Holly Thompson
Worthington OH
------------------------------

If the marley isn't working for you I'd also recommend finishing the wooden floor. BUT, if you do, make sure you have a good supply of rosin to prevent slipping when it is used for other classes. 

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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2017 09:18
From: Josh Kauffman
Subject: dance floor

What's the floor made of? Our dance studio was recently re-floored by our landlord. He chose white pine for cost, not realizing the damage tap shoes would do.

Our solution was to refinish the floor. We rented a floor sander to even out the damage, then did two coats of satin-finish polyurethane. The damage has been covered, the finish is effective at protecting the floor from further distress, and it looks a thousand percent better than tung-oil-treated white pine. We did it all (including sander rental) for less than $250.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2017 08:20
From: Holly Thompson
Subject: dance floor

Good morning,
I'm wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for a dance floor that we can put down to protect our wood stage floor when we use tap shoes.  We used them once and it chewed up the floor pretty good (enough that the powers that be want us to protect it).  We've tried a vinyl dance flooring but it deadens the taps to the point where they can't be heard.  Masonite is expensive... so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

------------------------------
Holly Thompson
Worthington OH
------------------------------

Hi Josh,
Our floor is pine. Unfortunately, we aren't allowed to do the floor ourselves and it moist be done by school maintenance, which is why I need to find a covering to lay down. If I put in a work order , it won't be done until summer.

Someone on Facebook suggested poplar 1/4 ply. Anyone try this before?

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

What's the floor made of? Our dance studio was recently re-floored by our landlord. He chose white pine for cost, not realizing the damage tap shoes would do.

Our solution was to refinish the floor. We rented a floor sander to even out the damage, then did two coats of satin-finish polyurethane. The damage has been covered, the finish is effective at protecting the floor from further distress, and it looks a thousand percent better than tung-oil-treated white pine. We did it all (including sander rental) for less than $250.

------------------------------
Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield AL
------------------------------

We use 1/4 inch tempered hardboard to cover our stage floor.   It can floated on the floor and tapped together with Gaffer's tape.  Paint it flat black and all is good.  Damaged sheets can be pulled up and replaced for about 11 dollars a sheet.

A Snap Lock Floor would be my ultimate choice, however.

It would be a good experience to ask a theater consultant to look at your space and get several quotes for a floor.  

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Michael Johnson
Trinity NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-16-2017 12:42
From: Holly Thompson
Subject: dance floor

Hi Josh,
Our floor is pine. Unfortunately, we aren't allowed to do the floor ourselves and it moist be done by school maintenance, which is why I need to find a covering to lay down. If I put in a work order , it won't be done until summer.

Someone on Facebook suggested poplar 1/4 ply. Anyone try this before?

Sent from my iPhone

Hehttps://www.truesoundhire.co.uk/hire-packages/item/white-starlit-dance-floor/ ."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":2817,"3":{"1":0},"11":3,"12":0,"14":{"1":2,"2":0}}">llo! There are several budget options to fit your purpose as follows: Rosco Dance Floor Reversible - portable and made of marley; Home Dance Floor Package, Adagio Basic 10.5 ft x 10 - The basic package comes with 20 linear feet of marley home dance flooring and one roll of tape. It is designed for quick and easy installation at home on any hard, flat surface. This black home dance floor will make any room look like a professional dance studio, and at a great price; Portable Dance Floor Tile 1 ft x 1 ft - very portable and easy to assemble. You can find all of these at https://www.truesoundhire.co.uk/hire-packages/item/white-starlit-dance-floor/ .

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Claire Sutherland
Bishop Sutton WA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2017 08:20
From: Holly Thompson
Subject: dance floor

Good morning,
I'm wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for a dance floor that we can put down to protect our wood stage floor when we use tap shoes.  We used them once and it chewed up the floor pretty good (enough that the powers that be want us to protect it).  We've tried a vinyl dance flooring but it deadens the taps to the point where they can't be heard.  Masonite is expensive... so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

------------------------------
Holly Thompson
Worthington OH
------------------------------

Good morning,

We had the same issue. I put a marley floor down and used Shure boundary mics on the edge of the stage for amplification of the taps. Great sound!

------------------------------
Crit Fisher
Lighting/Sound Designer
New Albany High School
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2017 08:20
From: Holly Thompson
Subject: dance floor

Good morning,
I'm wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for a dance floor that we can put down to protect our wood stage floor when we use tap shoes.  We used them once and it chewed up the floor pretty good (enough that the powers that be want us to protect it).  We've tried a vinyl dance flooring but it deadens the taps to the point where they can't be heard.  Masonite is expensive... so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

------------------------------
Holly Thompson
Worthington OH
------------------------------