How big is a Rosco Subfloor panel?
The panels measure 42"x42" (3.5'x3.5') which equals 12.25 square fett. They are 2" high.

How long does it take to install a Rosco SubFloor?
It generally takes 20 to 30 minutes per panel to install the first time. If you are installing a touring floor that has been previously assembled, an experienced crew of four can install 60-100 panels per hour. The first time you install the floor, attaching the foam pads will be one of the most time consuming tasks. When using customizing panels that must be cut or when dealing with other obstacles or irregularities, installation will take longer.

How Do I attach the foam Pads?
The foam pads attach using a peel and stick adhesive. Sometimes the paper backing can be hard to pull off. One trick to make this easier is to slice the backing in half using a sharp blade; the backing can then be pulled off from the middle more easily. Don't worry about cutting into the foam pads, as this will not affect their use. If you have to cut a pad in half and attach it as two half circles, that is fine also. You should receive a pad template with your floor order. To start, turn a panel upside down and place the template on the panel, matching the wave edges. Place pads in each of the cut out circles. If you ordered storage carts for your floor, you will receive a "touring" template (which has the center pads off-set) with the carts, and you should use the touring template instead.

How should I prepare the site where I am installing the Rosco SubFloor?
Clear and sweep the area where the Rosco SubFloor will be installed. Ideally the space will be dry and level.

Do I need a vapor barrier?
If you are installing the floor permanently or semi-permanently, we strongly recommend installing a vapor barrier (4-6 mil polyethylene sheeting, available at most home improvement and hardware stores).

Do I need to secure the Rosco SubFloor to my existing floor?
Although this step is not always specifically necessary (the weight of the floor will tend to keep the floor in place once it is assembled) you can attach the perimeter of the subfloor to the existing surface. If the existing floor is wood, you can simply screw the perimeters down with 2 ½" wood screws. If the existing floor is masonry, the floor can be attached using masonry screws, such as tapcons. If you don't want to (or aren't allowed) to screw in to the existing floor, you can attach the perimeters using double stick tape. If there is a specific line that the edge of the floor needs to match (such as the front edge of a stage), you may want to screw those perimeters down, or use double stick tape if you cannot use screws, or at least use a chalk line and snap a line to follow as you lay down the perimeter.

What if the room where I am installing the floor is not level?
If the room is only slightly out of level the Rosco SubFloor will follow the contour of the room, and the floor can be installed directly over the existing floor. It can even be installed temporarily over bricks or other uneven ground. If the room is completely out of level, or if you need an absolutely level floor, you should use a laser level to check level where you are installing the floor. You can use your pad template to check the level of each pad position and shim each pad individually, using 4.5" squares of plywood, MDF, masonite or similar material to raise up pads as needed.

What tools do I need to install the Rosco SubFloor w/standard perimeters?
If you are installing the Rosco SubFloor using standard perimeters and corners the only tools you will need are a tape measure and a cordless screw gun, SET TO ITS LOWEST TORQUE SETTING! Don't use a corded drill unless it has a low-torque setting, as it is too easy to over-tighten and strip the threads of the machine screws. Over-tightening the machine screws that hold the perimeters together may cause the screws to become stripped, making the floor much harder to take apart later or to re-install.

What tools do I need to install the Rosco SubFloor w/customizing panels?
If you are using the Rosco SubFloor Customizing Panels to fill a room from wall to wall or to install around obstacles in a room such as columns or alcoves, you will need a larger selection of carpentry tools. Typically a screw gun, circular saw, jig saw, tape measure, square, straight edge, pencil, screw gun, as well as ½ MDF to finish the customizing panels and 1 ¼"-1 5/8" screws (fully threaded with coarse threads).

What do I do at the edge of my floor?
Most local building codes require an ADA compliant ramp at any change of floor height. Rosco SubFloor Ramps are available in 42" wide x 21"x 2" Standard Ramps, as well as 21" Corner Transition Ramps. Ramps are actually 25 3/8" wide, but only extend 21" past the perimeter. For public or class use; any well-used egress pathway should be ramped to prevent injury. For stage use, the Rosco SubFloor Perimeter provides a clean looking edge, and both offstage sides of the floor are typically ramped. For home or private use, one ramp may be sufficient, Please consult local building codes for requirements in your area.

How Green is the Rosco SubFloor? Is it LEED compliant?
The Rosco SubFloor uses a blown closed cell polyethylene foam and a peel & stick adhesive to apply the foam, the VOC's and other specifications are within USGBC targets for LEED certification. The panels themselves are manufactured of domestically sourced recycled materials that fall within USGBC guidelines. The Rosco SubFloor system is considered fully LEED compatible. If you require FSC or EPP certified materials, please contact Rosco Labs for more information.

What types of dance is the Rosco SubFloor suitable for?
The Rosco SubFloor can be used for all types of movement activity. It is appropriate for all styles of dance, as well as Pilates, Yoga, and Theatre.

How much weight will a Rosco SubFloor hold?
The Rosco SubFloor with a Rosco Dance Floor surface will support a Dead Load (weight of all permanent structural or nonstructural components of a room such as furniture/finish floor without dancers) of 31 # psf (pounds per square foot) or 380 pounds /panel. This will allow chairs, benches or other small furnishings or props to be left on the floor. The Rosco SubFloor will support a uniformly distributed Live Load of 100 #psf or 1,225 pounds/panel. Damage to the foam pads may be caused by extended exposure above 100# psf (100-200 continuous hours). Short exposure to uniformly distributed loads above 152 # psf (1,862 pounds/panel) may cause permanent compression damage to the foam pads. Exposure to weights heavier than 261 # psf (3,197 pounds/panel) will likely cause immediate compression damage to the foam pads. These guidelines apply to uniformly distributed loads. The MDF surface layer of the floor at its weakest point can be damaged by a point load of 375 pounds per square inch.

Please see your local Building Code for local load limits. In Massachusetts, per 780 CMR Chapter16, a gymnasium or platformed area in a place of Assembly, or flexible plan areas of a school requires a 100 #psf live load. If heavy equipment needs to be moved over the floor (such as a grand piano or genie), you may want to put solid block under that area or use additional foam pads in that area. You can also use plywood or other sheet goods on top of the Rosco SubFloor panels to distribute the weight over a greater area.

Can I use a piano (or genie or other heavy equipment) on a Rosco SubFloor?
There are two factors to consider when using heavy items such as a piano or genie lift on any floor. The first is the total weight of the item, the second is how that weight is distributed, (its point load). A typical upright piano weighs about 700-1,000 pounds, and a grand piano 1,000-1,300. A grand piano on three small casters may cause a point load of 400 pounds, over the 375 pounds per square inch which can cause the MDF to fail, and certainly enough to cause permanent damage to the foam pads. The same piano, supported by tri-casters that spread its weight, however, could possibly be used for short periods (hours not days) on the Rosco SubFloor. The key when using a piano or other heavy object is to distribute the weight over the largest possible area. If a piano or other heavy piece of equipment needs to stay in the room and in one position permanently, you may want to use solid blocking under the area where the piece of equipment will be stored, or purchase additional foam pads and double up the foam in that area. Using a layer of plywood on top of the Rosco SubFloor, under the piano or other piece of equipment will also help distribute the load.

Can I install my Rosco SubFloor outside?
The Rosco SubFloor can be used outside in dry conditions, but excessive moisture will eventually damage the floor. If you expect to use the floor outside on a regular basis, it can be sealed to protect it from moisture. We recommend a water-based polyurethane sealer applied in several thin coats. The Rosco SubFloor is also available in a Moisture Resistant MDF as a Special Order.

How can I store my Rosco SubFloor?
The Rosco SubFloor Storage and Transportation Cart is available as a special order. It holds 16 panels, which nest back to back. To fit panels on the carts, the inner pads are slightly offset. If you are using the Rosco SubFloor Touring Carts, a Touring Template will be supplied with the carts. Touring carts are 29.5" wide and 48" long and will fit through any standard doorway. They weigh about 80 pounds empty and about 800 pounds fully loaded; they can be rolled across the SubFloor panels. If you are transporting the Touring Carts via truck ALWAYS strap the Rosco SubFloor Panels to their Carts and strap the carts securely to the truck.

Can I dance directly on my Rosco SubFloor?
The Rosco SubFloor is really only a subfloor, not a finish surface. The plain MDF surface is not recommended for dancing. We recommend finishing your Rosco SubFloor with one of the many Rosco Vinyl Flooring products. Alternatively, the surface may be painted and then used for dance, or you may cover the panels with hardwood or other wood surfaces.

Will anything damage the foam pads?
The two things that can damage the foam pads are weight and exposure to UV light. Please see question 10 regarding weight limits for the floor. If you are storing the floor temporarily, either in the process of installing the floor, or in moving it, do NOT stack the panels on top of each other. Stacking panels may cause the bottom pads to compress to the point of damage (if the pads are compressed over 50% they are subject to permanent damage). In order to avoid exposure to UV light, don't store your panels upside down in direct sun light.

What is the turnaround time after I place an order for a floor?
Rosco SubFloor panels are a regular inventory item, and can generally be shipped within one week of order. Back orders or special orders could take up to 6 - 8 weeks.

How will my floor be sent to me (UPS, parcel post, space ship)?
Rosco SubFloor Panels are typically sent as freight. This means they are shipped on pallets, crated in stacks of up to 50 panels, weighing up to 2250 pounds. Delivery will normally be made from a dock height (48" tall) truck. Arrangements can be made for a lift gate to deliver to ground level or loading docks lower than 48". Delivery is normally made to a street address, but not inside. You should arrange for moving the pallets inside and to your space. This may mean unpacking the pallets and carrying the panels, or transferring them to dollies or carts. You may need a screw gun with square tip and metal strap cutters to open the crates. The Foam pads will be shipped in boxes of up to 300 pads, and may be sent separately from the panels. The perimeter pieces will be shipped with their tops screwed to their bottoms, these will need to be taken apart for installation. Please remember that if you ordered Rosco SubFloor Customizing Panels you will need to provide your own finish layer of ½" MDF or the equivalent. If you order an additional or replacement single item, such as a ramp or single panel, it may be shipped via UPS.

What kind of warranty do you offer on your floors?
All Rosco Floor products, including the Rosco SubFloor with Wave Lock Technology, are guaranteed by Rosco Laboratories, Inc. to be free from manufacturing defects in both material and workmanship. Rosco recommends inspection of all flooring upon arrival and prior to installation. If a defect is discovered the customer must notify Rosco directly as soon as possible after the defect is discovered. A representative will inspect the complaint as soon as possible after it is received. If Rosco Laboratories, in its sole discretion, determines the material to be defective within five years of purchase, it will supply sufficient material to replace the defective material. Rosco Laboratories, Inc. will not bear any replacement costs or original installation costs.

I am missing some of the screws for assembling the Rosco SubFloor, what should I do?
The Rosco SubFloor Perimeters come with either nine screws (for the long perimeter) or five screws (for the short perimeters). You can install the floor temporarily using fewer screws. Make sure that the perimeter edges are screwed together first, and then attach the caps with the remaining screws. You do not need a screw in every hole. If necessary, replacement 1.25" x ¼" -20 machine screws are readily available at most hardware and home improvement stores.