A Buying Guide to Dance Flooring [UPDATED]

A dance studio is essential to a dancer. To hone their craft, practice, and perform, you need the right environment. Dance floors offer unique benefits to dancers to increase performance, minimise the risk of injury, and look the part.

Different dance styles have specific requirements. Where fitness flooring is ideal for athletes to train, dancers have unique needs. Keep reading this ultimate buying guide to dance flooring to help you make the best decision for your studio and users.

Before you decide on your dance studio flooring, it’s a good idea to understand the foundation of different flooring systems. When it comes to sprung flooring, you will come across two systems: point elastic and area elastic. Here is a breakdown of the two flooring systems:

Point elastic floors absorb shock at the point of impact. So, as the dancer hits the floor, that is where the shock is absorbed. The degree of deflection is produced by using cushioned vinyl at the point of contact. 

Area elastic floors deflect impact over a wider surface area. So, they provide a high level of shock absorption and comfort. Area elastic flooring is becoming increasingly popular. They have a ton of applications and are a great sports flooring option. 

In summary:

It’s normal for dance studios to teach a range of styles, and, therefore, they tend to go for dance flooring that can support these needs. Although your requirements may change, here are five must-have qualities when it comes to dance studio flooring. 

Your flooring should minimise the risk of slips and falls but without hindering movement. A dancer should be able to move and flow naturally without falling over. This means that flooring should be slip-resistant with traction, but not so much that movement is rigid. Dance flooring possesses unique requirements that make it just right for dancers. 

Many people think that dancers and athletes have the exact same requirements, but this isn’t necessarily true. While there is some crossover, dancers need a combination of energy return and shock absorption. Athletes and sports players tend to need a higher energy return and ball bounce to play sports than dancers. 

This is where a sprung flooring comes in. A sprung floor absorbs shock, yet it has a slightly bouncy feel.  Sprung flooring is one of the main requirements in a professional dance studio as it supports and cushions dancers when they leap and land. While not all dance styles require a sprung floor, it’s something worth considering for comfort, performance, health, and safety. It is down to personal preference and dance style whether you choose a Point Elastic or Area Elastic sprung system.

Professional dance flooring gives dancers a better level of comfort and performance while reducing the risk of slips and falls. By choosing a high-quality dance flooring system, you’re making a long-term investment and providing access to dancers and the community. You don’t want to have to replace flooring quickly if it’s not built for purpose. 

Another feature to consider is whether your dance flooring is portable or permanent. If you’re switching between venues and facilities, you can buy great portable dance flooring that supports the dancer’s body and performance. The other option is to install a permanent flooring system. This is suitable for a dance studio, both professional and at home. You will need to decide early on whether you want to install permanent or portable flooring. This will help to narrow down your options and match your dance styles to your flooring system. 

Although it doesn’t affect dancing performance, injuries, or shock absorption, the look and finish of flooring is important to the overall feel of a facility. One of the reasons dance studios use wood flooring is that it looks fantastic and creates a high-end facility. If you’re looking for a classic finish for that dance studio feel, wood flooring is hugely popular. 

Boen Actiflex - Customer Feedback:

"Everyone has been asking where we got our flooring!  It looks absolutely beautiful.  I've recommended the system to some of my dance teacher friends" 

If you’re thinking about installing laminate, be careful. Laminate flooring is not the same as hardwood as it’s a combination of pvc and wood with a factory finish. The problem with laminate is that it can be too slippery and can be easily scratched. Because it’s not a real hardwood finish, you can’t sand the top layer down to remove and repair any marks.  

Vinyl floors are also available in rolls and tiles, making it easier to customise your space and create different areas in your studio. The benefit of vinyl over wood is that it’s easy to install and does not require ongoing maintenance like wood floors (sanding, refinishing, etc.). However, vinyl floors can wear out more quickly depending on how much traffic you get in your studio.

Ballet dancers prefer a smooth, hard surface, which is why wood and vinyl are popular choices. A sprung floor is also important for reducing impact and providing a cushion for dancers during jumps. It’s best to choose a high-quality vinyl or wood system that offers shock absorption and a smooth, slip-resistant finish.

For tap dancers, a wood floor is a must. Wood is ideal for tap as it provides the right amount of resistance for the taps, creating a crisp sound. A sprung wood floor is ideal for absorbing shock and protecting the dancer’s joints during high-impact jumps.

Jazz dancers need a flooring material that provides a balance between smoothness and traction. Vinyl works well for jazz as it allows for quick, smooth movement while providing the necessary grip for footwork. A sprung vinyl system is perfect for preventing injuries during jumps and leaps.

Hip-hop dancers need a durable flooring material that can withstand heavy foot traffic and impact. Vinyl is a great choice as it is both durable and low-maintenance. Additionally, vinyl provides enough traction for hip-hop dancers to perform their moves without slipping.