dance floor installation

Sprung Flooring FAQ

Dance Floors+

WHAT IS A SPRUNG FLOOR?

A sprung floor is a floor that is built with material designed to absorb shock, which suspends the finished surface above an existing hard surface such as concrete, hardwood, or tile glued to concrete.

WHO NEEDS A SPRUNG FLOOR?

Any person who is standing in one place all day, dancing, jumping, or engaging in intense physical activity, needs a sprung floor. Concrete floors and other unyielding surfaces can create physical problems, as they do not “give”. A good sprung floor absorbs energy and returns a small portion back to the user. It provides an even and consistent resiliency.

I WOULD LIKE TO BUY A SPRUNG FLOOR BUT WE MAY MOVE TO A NEW STUDIO IN THE FUTURE. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?

Remember, O’Mara Sprung Floors are portable and can be removed and taken to a new location. We keep records of your Sprung Floor purchase and reconfiguration is always a possibility. Your O’Mara Sprung Floor is an investment that doesn’t have to be left behind.

DOES YOUR SPRUNG FLOOR COME WITH A BEVELED EDGE?

All seams are beveled approximately 3/32”. We also carry a transition ramp.

WE’D LIKE A WOODEN FINISH. DO YOU HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE?

We have two options for a wood finish sprung floor: our Maple Sprung Floor and our Ash Sprung Floor. The main difference between Maple and Ash is the rate at which the trees grow. Maple grows slower and is a harder wood, making it more expensive. It is preferred if you are going to tap dance on the floor. Ash grows slower, and is more brittle. If you tap on it, it wants to chip. More information and links to our specification sheets can be found here.

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CHOICES OF VINYL?

Each vinyl has a different intended use. We will help you choose the right vinyl for your application when you request an estimate. Click here for more information on vinyl.

WHAT IS THE PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT?

Prices vary based on configuration and finish options. For practice floors and small home studio floors, please visit our online store. For larger custom-sized dance floors, please request an estimate

HOW DO YOUR DANCE FLOORS COMPARE TO OTHERS?

To compare the sprung dance floor we manufacture to other dance floors, please visit the chart at the bottom of this page: Dance Studio Flooring.

I’VE BEEN RESEARCHING FLOORS AND HAVE NOTICED THAT SOME SPRUNG FLOORS SQUEAK. HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE SQUEAKINESS OF YOUR FLOOR?

Our floors virtually have no squeak to them. We have done everything possible to eliminate any extra noises that may be created by the floor.

WHY ARE O’MARA FLOORS SO EXPENSIVE?

Our prices reflect the time, dedication and high-quality, local materials we use to build our products. Since day one, this is our priority: crafting the highest-quality floor to protect dancers from injury. Since 1996, we have been building ergonomic sprung flooring in Flint, Michigan. We are committed to excellence in the quality of our floors, and in the care of our customers and employees. As a small family company, we are committed to consciously pursuing our healthiest, happiest selves and to support others in the same.   Our commitment to excellence and ethics has been a real struggle in building and sustaining a small, family-run business. We are unwilling to sacrifice quality in the name of profit, which means that we operate at low margins to serve the community to the best of our ability. This is also why we sell directly to our customers, cutting out the middle-man, so that we can provide our product at the best price-point possible.   To make our Ash and Maple sprung floors, we use a proprietary solid-core 3/4” 9-ply plywood with an ultra-durable ceramic-based urethane finish consisting of 8 total layers of protection for a very strong floor panel, ensuring a long-lasting product. Some of our sprung floors have been in use for over 20 years. We purchase this wood from North America and our wood supplier uses sustainable forest harvesting practices to keep what we do friendly to the planet. Our glues and urethane are low in VOCs which keeps the environment happier as well. We are here to support and protect our community, our earth, our customers, and our employees.   We take pride in our work and we treat our employees with love and respect and compensate them for their skill and contribution to our company, and the dancers that are protected by our floors.   Our mission is to spread love and joy, and protect people from injury. We currently operate our business as a family of four, with our three full-time employees. Thank you for supporting us, for supporting yourselves, and for supporting the artists who bring light to your life. We appreciate you all.

Maintenance, Specifications & Warranty+

HOW SHOULD I CLEAN MY FLOOR?

Please visit our Dance Floor Maintenance for cleaning instructions.

CAN THE FLOORING BE REMOVED EASILY OR IS IT PERMANENT FLOORING?

All of our sprung floors installed with our patented Cable-Tuned™ Installation System can be easily removed, moved to a new location, and reconfigured. Any O’Mara Sprung Floor can be left in place permanently.

CAN THE MAPLE/ASH FLOOR BE SANDED AND REFINISHED IN THE FUTURE?

Yes, our Maple and Ash sprung floors can most certainly be refinished in the future. Unless the floor is regularly used for tap dance, it will be about 10-20 years before the floor needs to be refinished. Whenever that time comes, please contact us and we will direct the person doing the refinishing through the process. The basics are: sand with 120 grit sand paper, clean, and urethane. Due to the nature of the finish, the floor won’t look like it has been sanded. We strongly recommend that whoever refinishes the floor contact us for detailed guidance in the process.

WHERE DID THE BLACK/GREY RESIDUE ON THE FLOOR COME FROM AND HOW CAN IT BE ELIMINATED?

The floors should be cleaned after every large tap class. This should keep the aluminum oxide, left from the taps, from building up and causing the black residue. Vacuuming, sweeping or dry dust mopping any floor should be part of your daily routine.

SCUFF MARKS KEEP SHOWING UP ON MY FLOOR. WHAT CAN I CLEAN THEM OFF WITH?

Rub scuff marks with a dry cloth. We’ve also found a tennis ball on the end of a mop handle will remove black scuff marks from the floor. On any of our finished wood surfaces, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and water to wipe the floor. For stubborn scuff marks, use a green kitchen scrubby pad and a 1:1 ration of Extreme Simple Green Aircraft and Precision Cleaner. Scrub clean and remove all cleaner residue with water on a sponge or towel. Be certain that you do not allow cleaning solution or water to seep between the seams of the floor. All O’Mara Sprung Floors are shipped with extensive maintenance and cleaning instructions. For more cleaning information click here.

IF MY SPRUNG FLOOR IS HEAVILY USED FOR TAP DANCE, WHAT ADDITIONAL STEPS DO I HAVE TO TAKE TO KEEP THE FINISH LOOKING BEAUTIFUL?

Besides the daily and weekly cleaning routines, you will want to add two additional coats of urethane to the floor for the first two years of use. The urethane is applied after a chemical abrading or mechanical screening process is completed. For more maintenance information, click here.

ARE THE PANELS STIFF ENOUGH TO FLOAT OVER A LOW PLUSH CARPET WITHOUT TOO MUCH SPONGINESS? I CURRENTLY HAVE A SNAPLOCK FLOOR THAT NEEDS TO FLOAT OVER PLYWOOD BECAUSE THE VINYL TILES ARE SOFT, BUT I AM LOOKING TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE I’D PREFER REAL WOOD STIFF ENOUGH TO NOT NEED THE PLYWOOD UNDERNEATH.

You will be able to install your new floor over your existing low pile carpet without a problem. Installation will take a bit longer, just because the foam blocks don’t slide easily over carpet. The floor will definitely not feel “spongy”. Our floors are made with resilient, high-quality architectural grade plywood (better than even the best plywood you could find locally).

Install+

COULDN’T I JUST PUT A VINYL FLOOR ON TOP OF MY CONCRETE FLOOR AND HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A SPRUNG FLOOR?

Concrete floors and other unyielding surfaces can create physical problems as they do not “give”. Stress injuries are very common when dancing on concrete or even concrete covered with a vinyl surface. A good sprung floor absorbs energy and returns a small portion back to the user. It provides an even and consistent resiliency.

CAN I PUT VINYL ON TOP OF CARPET?

It is dangerous to the dancers to put vinyl over carpet. When they land jumps and leaps, toes do not read that they are landing, which can lead to dancers hyper-extending their knees.

CAN I JUST PUT AN O’MARA SPRUNG FLOOR ON TOP OF CARPET TO PRACTICE IN THE LIVING ROOM?

O’Mara Sprung Floors can be placed on top of tight weave, low pile, or commercial carpet.

CAN YOU PLACE THE PRACTICE FLOORS ON A TILE FLOOR?

Yes, they work very well for this application.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE PRIOR TO THE INSTALLATION OF MY NEW O’MARA SPRUNG FLOOR?

For large floors and full-room installations:

  1. The sub floor must be clean, dry and flat within 1/8″ for a 10′ radius.
  2. Cement floors must cure for a minimum of 30 days prior to installation.
  3. New construction should have a 6 mil. plastic below the concrete (ask your builder). If you are uncertain, you must seal concrete or install 6 mil. plastic on top.
  4. Old cement floors must be sealed with cement sealer or proper vapor barrier.

WHAT INSTALLATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Cable Tuned: We developed our revolutionary patented cable-tuned installation system to provide a very easy way to install your sprung floor. This is our standard option for all floors. Minimal carpentry skills are necessary. This floor comes customized to fit your space. We provide you with an installation kit and detailed instructions. This system makes installation so easy that all one needs is the ability to follow basic instructions.   Tapcon or Wood Screws: This method also comes with detailed instructions. An installation kit is provided upon request. This option is for highly custom installations that include many complex cuts, such as for a room with multi-angled or curved walls. Carpentry skills are required for this option.

WHAT TOOLS ARE NEEDED TO INSTALL MY O’MARA SPRUNG DANCE FLOOR?

All of the dance floors we sell come with an installation tool kit.

WE HAVE A BUILDER WHO WILL BE INSTALLING THE FLOORING. CAN THEY CALL SOMEONE IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? DO YOU HAVE ANY VIDEO INSTALLATION GUIDES?

We are happy to help you (or your contractor) in your floor installation process. Notify us prior to installation if you will need support on weekends or after 5 pm Eastern time. A basic assembly video is available on our website here.

WITH YOUR SPRUNG FLOOR, IS THERE ANYTHING NEEDED TO LAY ON TOP OF THE FLOORING SYSTEM?

You do not need to put a finish floor on top of an O’Mara Maple Sprung Floor or an O’Mara Ash Sprung Floor. These floors are urethaned and act as both sprung subfloor and finish floor in one. If you would prefer to dance on a vinyl surface we recommend our Birch Sprung Subfloor, which can be used with one of our vinyl dance surfaces, or a roll-out marley (vinyl dance surface) you may already own.

Shipping+

WHAT ABOUT SHIPPING?

Visit our Shipping & Handling page.

DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?

Yes. We ship floors worldwide.

DO YOU DELIVER TO CANADA? DO THE SHIPPING CHARGES INCLUDE THE BORDER/CUSTOM TAXES? OR DO YOU HAVE A SUPPLIER IN CANADA?

We do not have a Canadian distributor, but we are happy to sell directly to you. All taxes and import duties will be your responsibility.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DELIVER TO CANADA?

After your floor has been manufactured and is on a truck for shipment, standard transit time is about a week; border crossing may add some time. Your customs broker should be able to tell you how long that may take.