How do i make a dance floor???

Question

Hi
I am having a wedding coming up and the hall I rented does not have a dance floor. I am seeing if I would be able to make one myself. Does anyone know exactly what i need (type of wood, polish,...) and how to make it?
Thanks

Additional Details

1 day ago
I also inquired about renting a dance floor from various companies, but I'd much rather build one so I can also use it when other family members of mine get married

Answer 1

O.K..I've never tried this, but here's an idea to get you started. How about building a frame the size that you want, covering it in 3/4" plywood and then you could put cheap, laminated wood flooring over it. (And screw everything together so you can unscrew it to disassemble.) The only problem I'm having is, that you don't want it to have a very high step up, so that people don't trip and fall off the edge. Maybe you should go look at the rentals, and then copy the way they made theirs?? That's probably the best idea:)
Congratulations & Good Luck!

Answer 2

I don't think you are going to want to do it, because the result is heavy and awkward, but you need to begin by finding what are called coffin locks - these are flat hook locks that are openned and closed with a big allan wrench. They will be used to lock the sections together. One place to get them is Austin Hardware in Rowlett, Texas, about $6 each. You will need to make the dance floor in multiples of 4', say 12x12 or 16x16.
each 4x4' section requires two sheet of 3/4" plyood and a square of dense carpet, the kind rated indoor outdoor. (not grass)
You will put a lock and its socket on each side, say with the locks on the left 1' from the corner and the sockets on the right 1' from the corner so any side of any square will lock to any other.
You will have to cut away the carpet and some of the wood to install. You may have to add blocks to take the screws of the locks.
Using thinned wood glue, coat both faces of the squares, place the carpet and screw the sandwich of 3/4-carpet-3/4 at several places around the edge with wood screws.
Now apply oak hardwood flooring using standard gluing and nailing techniques. If the flooring is not prefinished, sand and coat with satin polyurethane varnish.
The panel is now 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 inches thick depending on how thick the flooring you used is. That is much too tall to expect people to step over, so you need ramps all the way around. You can build these either as 4' by 18'' add ons (with corner pieces) or you can make 4'x4' squares which have a flat section and then a tapered section. You will need 4 corners ramped in both directions and enough side pieces for the size of your floor. To make the ramped part you will have to scarf (cut to a thin edge) the bottom 3/4", omit the carpet, scarf 1/2 ply (with a spacer to match the 3/4" and perhaps use some other thinner surface material than oak flooring.
To get an idea of the weight, pickup a sheet of 1" x 4 x 8 plywood, that is roughly the two pieces of 3/4 ply plus flooring.
Doesn't it seem a good idea to rent?

Answer 3

If anyone in your household dances, whether it's an 8-year-old taking ballet classes or senior citizens learning to foxtrot, you need a dance floor. If you can't afford to have a contractor install a sprung dance floor (one with a little give to make dancing more comfortable) you can build one yourself using fiberboard and lay it on top of your existing floor. Depending on the size, you may even be able to pick up the dance floor after you build it and store it out of the way until you're ready to dance....party rentals peoria az