Planning an outdoor event, like a wedding or a lively backyard party, and dreaming of a dance floor under the stars? Renting a dance floor can be surprisingly expensive, often costing hundreds of dollars. But what if you could build your own stunning Outdoor Dance Floor for a fraction of the price? This tutorial will guide you through creating a durable and stylish DIY dance floor using simple materials and tools, perfect for transforming any outdoor space into a dance paradise.
People building the dance floor frames
In this guide, we’ll show you how to construct a 12×16 foot dance floor, a popular size for accommodating a good number of dancers, using plywood and 2×3 lumber. This size is ideal for backyard gatherings, wedding receptions, or any outdoor celebration where you want to encourage guests to let loose and have fun. Forget about expensive rentals and embrace the satisfaction of building a custom outdoor dance floor that perfectly suits your event’s style and budget. Let’s get started and build the dance floor of your dreams!
Why Build Your Own Outdoor Dance Floor?
Choosing to build your own outdoor dance floor offers numerous advantages, especially when compared to renting.
- Cost-Effective: As mentioned earlier, renting dance floors can be expensive. Building your own significantly cuts down on costs. The materials for this DIY project are considerably less than rental fees, making it a budget-friendly option for events of any scale.
- Customization: DIY allows for complete customization. You can choose the size, shape, and finish of your outdoor dance floor to perfectly match your event’s theme and the aesthetic of your outdoor space. Want a checkerboard pattern? Specific color? Unique size? It’s all within your control.
- Durability: Built with sturdy materials like plywood and 2x3s, a DIY dance floor is designed to withstand outdoor elements and the energetic dancing of your guests. You can ensure its stability and longevity, unlike potentially flimsy rental options.
- Reusable: Once your event is over, your DIY outdoor dance floor can be disassembled and stored for future use. This makes it a worthwhile investment for anyone who frequently hosts outdoor gatherings.
- Sense of Accomplishment: There’s a unique satisfaction in creating something yourself. Building your own outdoor dance floor adds a personal touch to your event and provides a rewarding DIY experience.
Materials You’ll Need for Your DIY Outdoor Dance Floor
To construct your 12×16 foot outdoor dance floor, gather the following materials:
- Plywood Sheets: 6 sheets of 1/2″ plywood. Plywood provides a solid and smooth dancing surface.
- 2×3 Lumber: 30 eight-foot long 2x3s. These will form the frame and support structure of your dance floor sections.
- Nails: For securely fastening the frames and plywood.
- Hammer: The essential tool for nailing the structure together.
- Floor Paint: Choose outdoor floor paint in your desired colors. We’ll be using black and white for a classic checkerboard look, but you can customize to your preference.
- Paint Supplies: Primer, paint brushes, rollers, and paint trays.
- Painter’s Tape: For creating clean lines when painting patterns, like our checkerboard design.
- Mending Plates: 6 mending plates to join the individual dance floor sections together, creating a seamless and stable surface.
You can find all these materials at your local home improvement store. Many stores, like Home Depot, offer free lumber cutting services, which can be helpful for preparing your 2x3s.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Outdoor Dance Floor
Follow these steps to build your own outdoor dance floor:
1. Constructing the Frames
- Cut the 2x3s: From the 30 eight-foot long 2x3s, cut 18 of them into 45″ pieces. This will give you 36 pieces of 45″ lumber. The remaining 12 boards will stay at 8 feet long. These will form the perimeter and support structure for each section.
- Assemble the Frames: Create 6 rectangular frames, each measuring 4′ x 8′, using the cut 2x3s. Each frame will use two 8-foot pieces and two 4-foot pieces (assembled from the 45″ pieces, with slight leftover). Ensure the corners are square for a stable and even dance floor.
2. Adding Support to the Frames
- Install Support Pieces: For each 4′ x 8′ frame, add four support pieces made from the remaining 45″ lengths of 2x3s. Evenly space these support pieces within the frame to provide extra stability and prevent sagging in the plywood. These supports will run along the 4-foot width of the frame.
3. Attaching the Plywood
- Secure the Plywood: Place a sheet of plywood on top of each completed 2×3 frame.
- Nail the Plywood: Using nails, attach the plywood sheet to the frame. Nail along all edges of the frame and into the support pieces to ensure the plywood is securely fastened and creates a solid dance surface. Repeat this process for all six frames, resulting in six 4′ x 8′ dance floor sections.
Painting and Finishing Your Outdoor Dance Floor
Once the sections are built, it’s time to paint and customize your outdoor dance floor:
- Priming: Apply a coat of outdoor primer to each plywood section. Priming helps the paint adhere better and provides extra protection for your dance floor.
- Base Coat: Apply a base coat of your chosen floor paint color. For our checkerboard design, we started with white paint on all sections. Let the base coat dry completely.
- Creating the Checkerboard Pattern (Optional): If you desire a checkerboard look, use painter’s tape to mark off 24″ x 24″ squares on each section. Each 4′ x 8′ section will have 2 x 4 squares.
- Painting the Squares: Apply black floor paint (or your contrasting color) to the taped-off squares using foam rollers for smooth, even coverage.
- Remove Tape and Let Dry: Carefully remove the painter’s tape while the paint is still slightly wet to prevent peeling. Allow the paint to dry completely.
- Numbering Sections: Number each 4′ x 8′ section on the underside. This will help you easily reassemble the dance floor in the correct order at your event location.
Assembling Your Outdoor Dance Floor
- Position the Sections: Arrange the numbered dance floor sections in your desired 12′ x 16′ configuration at your outdoor event space.
- Join with Mending Plates: Use mending plates and a hammer to securely join the sections together. Position the mending plates across the seams on the underside of the dance floor, ensuring a stable and seamless dancing surface.
Cost Breakdown for Your DIY Outdoor Dance Floor
The approximate cost to build this outdoor dance floor (excluding labor) is around $300.00. This includes the cost of plywood, lumber, nails, paint, and mending plates. Compared to renting a dance floor for $700-$800 or more, DIY offers significant savings. Prices may vary depending on your location and material choices.
Enjoy Your DIY Outdoor Dance Floor!
Congratulations! You’ve built your own fantastic outdoor dance floor! Now you’re ready to host unforgettable outdoor events with a dedicated dance space that you created yourself. Get ready to dance the night away on your custom-built floor! Whether it’s for a wedding, a party, or just a fun backyard get-together, your DIY dance floor will be a hit. Enjoy the music, the dancing, and the memories made on your beautiful and budget-friendly outdoor dance floor.
