Got a call from a dance studio that is moving to a new location. They want a quote on a 40’x40 “spring floor.” It will be over an existing concrete floor and they want to use a vinyl sheet type surface instead of hardwood, no doubt for cost reasons.
So far I’ve learned the a “spring floor” is preferred because it is more fitting for dancing, ballet, and whatever. Apparently too much dancing on a solid floor (gymnasium type) cause shin splints?, and other complications.
Also learned that the floor (over concrete) is set on small rubber type squares about 1 foot apart in both directions. On top is 1/2″ plywood, followed by and second layer of 1/2″ plywood in the opposite direction, at 90 degs?, and I’m sure one would stagger the seams.
Questions to anyone that is familiar with this type of installation.
How do you fasten down the floor….1 1/4″ drywall screws seems too simple.
Would you add a layer of luan underlayment if the top surface is vinyl? Stapled down?
How do they fasten the rubber squares?
Anything else that I haven’t or should have asked?
I work alone most of the time in the area of light carpentry…am thinking of taking a pass on this one.
Thanx in advance.
Replies
why not coil a bunch of rubber air hose around, with or with out inflating it? lay out the ply sheets like ya said..and glue it with PL and a few screws, after the PL sets, yank the screws, if its "A" /"C" ply use the "A" face up and vinyl right on that.
Somewhere in my mispent youth, I saw a floor that was cushioned by firehose and air..very, very little air in the hose..I have no clue why or even where I saw it..the interveneing yrs. were awesome tho' {G}
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Anything you do may feel springy to you, but to a dancer it might need to have just the right springiness. Not only will you have to give just the right deflection for a given load, but the right amount of energy return. For example, you can drop a superball or a ball of clay and both balls will deflect the same amount, but a superball will return to its original shape almost instantly, and the clay will remain completely deformed. Your floor can be the same way, on springs for trampoline-like return, or bedded in sand, so it deflects and stays there.
I guess what I'm trying unsuccessfully to say is that you really know tools and can tell a Makita drill from a Sam's Club, but to her they're all drills. To you a springy floor is just a springy floor, but to a dancer they can be good or really bad. So, it's worth trying to find a standard design for dance floors and follow it, or pass on the job.
The folks who supply the specialized rubber squares may have a design.
Are there any architects reading this who have a reference for such a design?
I don't have much to add except the correct term is Sprung floor. Google and you'll find some good info.
Also called an isolated floor ... as in a floor in a mechanical room of a commercial building where you don't want the noise to tramsmit. Google for sound isolation floor and see what comes up. If I remember from years ago, the plywood is a floating floor on top of the isolation hockey pucks. The ply is not fastened to the pucks, thus the need for two staggered layers glued & screwed together ... it forms a floating membrane, like a pergo floor that used to be glued together before click-lock.
Try this... http://kineticsnoise.com/neoiso.html
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Edited 7/2/2004 9:40 pm ET by Ed Hilton
My wife teaches dance and gymnastics and the gym she worked at has one... it was assembled from a kit of parts mail ordered and plywood purchased locally. I'm sure there are different techniques... this one involved a whole bunch of springs captured underneath two layers of plywood. I'm sure that you can find info on them from gymnastics web sites or gymnastics suppliers.