Here are the MINIMUM STANDARDS established and adhered to by the USA's national tap dance company for adequate and safe tap dance floors. This page is provided at no cost to readers as a safety guide and as a public service.

The fact that the injuries caused by inappropriate flooring are rarely "immediate and obvious" (broken leg, sprained ankle, etc.) because they are micro-injuries which may not result in noticeable damage to ligaments/bones/muscles until years or decades of tapping have gone by - at which time it is too late to heal arthritis or other serious pains and medical conditions - does NOT make these injuries less of a problem. But it does make it easier for some greedy manufacturers to sell "one-floor-for-all-needs" products to unsuspecting studio owners, theaters or dance organizations (and even to some college dance departments!) This is most unfortunate as it should be common sense that the needs and requirements of ballet/jazz/modern flooring are DRASTICALLY different from those of tap/clogging/flamenco and all other percussive dance traditions.

FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUNG TAPPERS, WE URGE PARENTS TO TAKE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS PAGE (http://www.usatap.org/aft.htm) INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE ENROLLING THEIR CHILDREN IN ANY PERCUSSIVE DANCE CLASS. TAP DANCE IN PARTICULAR, SHOULD NEVER BE STUDIED, PRACTICED OR PERFORMED/TAUGHT ON BALLET/MODERN/JAZZ FLOORS, JUST LIKE BASEBALL SHOULD NEVER BE PRACTICED/PLAYED ON ASPHALT.

TAP AND PERCUSSIVE DANCE FLOORS FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Please note!
The answers below are provided as a free, public service by our cast, NOT by floor builders or manufacturers. Consequently, technical questions regarding flooring such as "how do I build...",  "what kind of wood..." , "how do I maintain..." "do you have technical plans..." CANNOT be answered here.

1. You mention that the "needs and requirements of ballet/jazz/modern flooring are very different from those of tap/clogging/flamenco and all other percussive dance traditions." How different? Isn't dance just dance? We just moved to Los Angeles, my daughters love to dance  and I am looking for studio that has decent standards, so this is important to me.
   They are indeed fundamentally different, and in many ways diametrically opposed. So much so that it boggles the mind that so-called "professionals" would even consider using the same floor for both (where has common sense gone??!!) Let's look at a few areas, just as examples (we'll use the term "ballet" for ballet/modern/jazz, etc).
   
   Sound. Ballet seeks to make as little sound as possible. On the contrary tap needs to produce sounds that are as loud and, more importantly, as wide-ranging as possible.
   
   Slipperiness. Ballet needs "sticky" flooring that slips as little as possible (that's why many ballet dancers use rosin even on vinyl flooring that is already quite sticky by itself.) Tap on the other hand requires flooring that allows for much greater "speed" and a wide variety of moves/sounds (such as scrapes, slides) and is therefore much less sticky. Note that floor stickiness is not a good thing for tappers, but a bad thing as it is one of the leading factors in micro-injuries. A sticky floor also prevents tappers from gaining good balance and control instead of helping them (this is a fairly common misconception.)
   
   Shoes. Ballet requires flooring that accommodates soft, pliable shoes. Tap is the exact opposite, requiring flooring that accommodates hard shoes fitted with taps, an even harder material.
   
   Etc, etc.
   
   As to your second question, we would prefer to stay away from such generalizations. We happen to like (and have practiced/performed) not just tap but many other dance forms, and while they are all great, there are so many differences between them that we do not see how it would be possible to put all of them in the same "bag." More importantly, remember that in tap the SOUNDS that are produced are paramount since it originated as a form of MUSIC, whereas ballet is and always was a form of DANCE, with the "visuals" (the way dancers and choreography look, i.e. what we SEE) being the most important aspect. While not being able to see the dancers at all in a tap performance might result in an interesting and possibly very rewarding auditory experience (if the dancer is any good of course) not being able to see the dancers at all in a ballet performance would be a most frustrating experience for members of the audience!
   
   .
   
2. I just received this nice brochure from [manufacturer's name withheld] and they claim that their [model name withheld] floor is "ideal for all types of dance and aerobics." What do you think?
   To our minds this is simply astonishing. It is akin to trying to sell an ice rink to a football team, or a gym floor to a Nascar team.
   
   But hey, as long as there are unsuspecting buyers, there will be sellers!
   
   
    
3. I understand that a Marley-type ballet floor isn't suitable for tap, and I couldn't agree more with that. But would a good tap floor be suitable for ballet and how? Also, is there ANY way I can use it for both types of dance?
   If your tap floor is up to the above standards AND you cover it with a layer of Marley or such you should end up with a pretty decent ballet floor. Instead of taping narrow vinyl rolls together as many studios/stages do, we'd recommend that your order it from a reputable manufacturer in one roll that is the width of your studio minus two inches and the length of your studio minus two feet. This way you will never have to deal with tape, which can be very messy, and all you have to do is roll the vinyl in for the ballet classes and roll it out for the tap classes!
   
   
    
4. Where would you recommend that I buy a good tap floor?
   We have performed and taught on just about everything you can think of, but sadly we are yet to find one commercially-available floor that meets the minimum standards described above. But if we ever do we will let you know right here!
   
   
    
5. I saw somewhere on your web site that you have your own portable tap floor. It must be up to the minimum standards on the "Appropriate Flooring for Tap Dance, right? What company did you buy it from?
   Our own floor significantly exceeds those standards. It has always been custom-made to our specifications and has evolved significantly over the years. Unfortunately it is not available commercially (it is VERY expensive anyway.)
   
   
    
6. There is a floor manufacturer ten minutes away from my house and I know the owner. I bet they could develop a floor that meets your minimum standards. Would you be willing to test it, and how do I put them in touch with you?
   We would welcome the opportunity. You will find all the contact information for the company here.
   
   
    
7. If resiliency according to your standards is much higher than usual, will such a floor be too "mushy" for other types of dance? What about stability or impact isolation?
   Indeed a tap floor that adheres to our standard has much more resiliency and more shock absorption than most people are (sadly, and by force) used to. While it does mean that the floor will be gentler on the body and safer for other dance styles such as ballroom, African, or jazz/modern/ballet (with a vinyl top layer, see above), it does not mean that the floor will be soft or unstable if it is properly constructed and if it uses hardwood with the right thickness (there can certainly be impact and/or stability issues with flooring made of some of the newer materials or flooring that isn't structurally strong enough, but that isn't the case for ours.)
   
   
    
8. What are the consequences if one taps on carpet or concrete? Can injury to the ankle occur and what type?
   Carpet and concrete are two very different things! We shall assume that what you mean is carpet that has been laid down right over concrete, a fairly common occurrence in today's construction. The types of injuries related to tapping on concrete or other such inflexible materials that we have observed over all these years affect the lower and middle part of the body, and not just the ankle, including muscle/ligament tears, heel spurs, shin splints, stress fractures (ankle/leg area), Plantar Fasciitis, chronic lower and middle back pain, etc. and micro-injuries resulting in tissue degeneration for people in their thirties and forties (early onset of "arthritis") which is decades before this should happen in the "normal" aging process.
   
   When you think about it, even today's long distance runners, with their fancy shoes full of high-tech energy-absorbing cushioning still complain of problems due to repeated pounding from running. We all know that tapping is far more demanding as far as the "pounding" is concerned, so tapping on non-resilient floors just doesn't make any sense. The bottom line?  Tapping on concrete is potentially very, very dangerous!
   
   
    
9. I was wondering what materials in certain floors makes louder sounds from the tap shoes?
   This is a very complicated issue as there are many parameters involved, but if one considers strictly the floor itself, generally speaking "real" wood, especially hardwoods such as oak or maple produce a sound range (not just volume) that is far greater than plywood, masonite, and the like. Just as important, the quality of the sound is much higher, resulting in something that is far more pleasing for both the audience and the performer.
   
   
    
10. I have created a personal Tap floor that seems to meet your requirements. As a Tapper myself, I agree with your opinions about what to tap on. After many years of disign, I take great pride in my creation. I would like your opinion.
    The front office tells us that you sell this product. We cannot give opinions on something we have not tested but we will be happy to test it just like we're always happy to test flooring from any other manufacturer. FYI for full testing we typically need to receive a section that's at least 8 X 16 feet and we need to have it for at least half a performing season (roughly 6 months) so that it may be tested in a variety of conditions. Contact the PR Director if you are interested in setting this up.
    
    
     
11. I am an adult intermediate tapper and have a bizarre "performance" of sorts coming up this week. My tap performance will only last for 2-3 minutes (if that long). Thus, my question is more about my taps: will tapping on smooth, shiny cement harm them?
    Yes. But that's nothing compared to what it will do to your body... You may not feel the effects right away but trust us, one day you will.
    
    PEOPLE, PEOPLE, WHY ON EARTH WOULD ANYONE STILL TAP ON CEMENT IN THIS THIRD MILLENNIUM? One again, TAPPING ON *ANY* NON-RESILIENT SURFACE IS DANGEROUS AND IS HARMFUL TO ONE'S BODY!
    
    
     
12. I have chipboard flooring with industrial carpet and looking for a portable floor to go on it for practice. I’ve been tapping in the garage for years & after studying massage realize the damage I’m doing. Is there a particular material you recommend? Is there any type of wood I could get without breaking the budget?
    The answer is right at the top of this page...
    
    
     
13. I am trying to turn my garage into a home gym/practice tap dance studio for me and my daughter. The flooring is concrete now, and apparently you can't cover that with hard wood flooring. Would either Pergo flooring or vinyl squares be satisfactory for practicing? Thank you.
    When these new types of floors came onto the market we had high hopes that they would be great for just such a purpose. Unfortunately, while these companies have done a great job making these floors look "just like wood," their products are still made of very hard plastic which can be, or can become, extremely slippery. For that reason alone we just can't recommend them. Tone-wise we have also found that they are limited to a surprisingly narrow range.
    
    
     
14. Can the top layer of hardwood flooring be veneer?
    We asked the company that has been making our floors for many years. They say most veneers are designed and built for cabinetry, not flooring applications. See question above also.
    
    
     
15. I have recently opened a studio and am recruiting Irish and Flamenco teachers. We wish to build our own sprung floor for the back studio. Where can I get instructions on how to build one to your standards?
    We are caught between a rock and a hard place here. We'd love to help you but we're tap dancers, not floor builders. We did ask our custom designers but they said no way, that would be giving away their trade secrets and they're just not willing to do that. Sorry! HOWEVER, there have been so many requests that we are trying to convince them to put this fantastic floor on the market. Stay tuned...
    
    
     
16. What is the best available portable tap mat/floor 3'X3' or 4' X 4" for use in carpeted bedrooms, hotel room or on a wood deck outside.
    We do not use those because they have no resonance so it's hard to tell. We do have a colleague who occasionally uses those, and said that he bought an excellent one in the carpeting section of his local Home Depot for about $75.
    
    
     
17. I'm a flamenco dancer with a noise problem. I like to practice late at night in my home studio, but I get complaints from the neighbors. Is there any kind of flooring or underlayment you can recommend to help muffle the noise/vibration? Of course, this floor is not for performance, only for my home practice.
    If you muffle the floor you would then be trying to make sounds without... making sound, which is kinda tough. One way around that would perhaps be to insulate the room's walls and ceiling with recording-studio-quality sound baffles. Just practicing tap in regular leather shoes is almost as good as practicing with taps on, you could also try to practice your flamenco steps in other shoes, perhaps boots without the nails?
    
    
     
18. I need a surface for practicing on that I can place over my carpeted home. I was told I could use a piece of plywood. I was also told I could use Marley over the plywood. Since neither is suitable, how can I create a practice floor using the right surface material? Would Oak plywood be okay to tap on? Thanks.
    See #14 and #16 above. Also, we are told that the oak in oak plywood is only a very thin top layer that if tapped on is "subject to quick delaminating and other serious problems. Again, hang tight...
    
    
     
19. What type of mat was being talked about when Home Depot was mentioned. It was said to be available in the carpet section. Thanks.
    Those "roll-out" mats are basically made of a canvas covered with thin wood slats with an "open tongue and groove" design that allows for some play between the slats (they look like a "wood carpet", we're not sure what exactly Home depot calls them but they should be easy to find.) Because of that, they can be rolled in and out easily which makes them very portable. But, but as mentioned above they have major downsides that make them less than ideal for tap dancers. They allow for no resonance whatsoever, hence their very limited tonal range, they are quite small, and our colleague also says that when he does certain moves the whole mat slips on the floor or carpet from underneath him so he feels he can't go full out.
    
     
     
20. What is a "reasonable and realistic size" for a tap dance floor one wishes to use basically for exercise and tone up purposes? Could I use it for both types of dancing?
    We'd say about four by eight feet. When you wish to tone up and work out, simply add an excercise mat for anything that needs to be done on the floor, like ab crunches, etc.
    
    
     
21. I am a member of a tap dance group in Boston. We are having a show in a few months, but we outgrew out previous venue, and the bigger theater in the area does not have a floor suitable for tap. Do you have any suggestions as to where we could rent one?
    Again, we have performed on just about anything and everything, both here and overseas, including on all kinds of temporary floors, with some being rented to the theater for a small fortune as "the ideal floor for tap dancers." The bad news is that in every single case it was total bunk, and some of these floors were actually so dangerous that, thanks to our contract, we were able to demand and get something better. The good news is that we are testing a new kind of flooring that is portable, safe, and sounds great. We will let you know right here if they ever decide to put it on the market.
    
    
     
22. I work around people tap dancing on painted masonite all the time. They slip quite often and what we usually do is apply a non-skid coating on the surface. As the floor is a scenic element in the show and painted, how do we tap and have the show look good at the same time?.
    Tough question. At the very least you'd have to use another type of flooring. Yes, Masonite is dirt-cheap, yes, it is paintable, but, as stated at the top of this page it is NOT appropriate for tap (including for amateurs, why should it be OK for people to get hurt and get crappy sound just because they're not pros, right?) Plywood is worse. Try real wood, that's what they used in the olden days!
    
    
     
23. Interested in hearing when an appropriate tap floor for home use becomes available. Thanks.
    No problem. We get this question A LOT. Once we have tested one or more that meets our minimum standards, we will let you know, right on this page.
    
    
     
24. As you recommend hard wood floors, could you tell me how thick the top layer should be in order to get the best sound and flexibility?
    What you are referring to is only one of MANY parameters that come into play. As our tests have often shown, because some of these parameters can intreact with each other in dramatically changing ways, there is unfortunately no simple, "general answer" to your question.
    
    
     
25. Hello, could you give me information regarding portable flamenco dance floor/carpet. Carpet to practice tap flamenco step (in order to avoid deseases) that you can put in any hard floor. What are the prices/the size/the weight.. etc. Thanks for answering as soon as possible.
    Sorry, we've had a bit of a hard time understanding your question, but just on the off-chance that you were referring to "what kind of carpeting to put on a hard floor" to practice flamenco, we asked a couple of flamenco colleagues what they thought, and their reactions mirrored ours. The bottom line is: NEVER, EVER USE CARPETS FOR FLAMENCO, TAP, OR ANY KIND OF PERCUSSIVE DANCE! It sounds terrible, and it isn't safe. This is actually explained right at the top of this page!
    
     
26. "I am a lindy hop dancer who is moving into tap, so i'm a total newbie. Just bought a pair of Leo tap shoes. My question is, Will tap dancing damage a normal wood floor or portable competition floor? Thanks."
    Not sure what you mean by "normal floor."  It depends of how the floor is built and out of what. It also depends greatly on what kind of taps you have on these shoes (especially if they have sharp edges or not.) FYI ballroom floors might be OK for the occasional practice but very few have what it takes to ALSO make a good tap floor. Have a look at the Public Service Info above for more details.
    
     
27. I was told I could practice at home on a 4' x 8' plexiglass board. What are your thoughts/recommendations about that?
    Plexiglas is NOT a resilient material. Yikes!
    
     
28. I am a Litrugical Dancer at my church. We are doing a tap dance "satan is under my Feet". The sanctuary has 5,000 seats. If we bought a piece of REAL hardwood oak, do you believe that would make the sound all the way to balcony, or do you suggest another piece of wood.
    Your problem here wouldn't be so much the type of wood as the enormous space through which the sound will travel. And that's before you take into account the room's acoustics which 95% of the time are pretty bad. What we do in these situations is simply amplify the acoustic sound of our portable flooring by using microphones.
    
     
29. I am a dance teacher and own my own studio with a plywood floor. When I clean the floor, I sweep up a large amount of blackish/grey particles from the taps. It gets on the students clothes and hands. With a hardwood floor, would there still be this amount of residue?
    No. If the hardwood floor is installed and finished properly there should be little or no residue. Again, in our professional opinion one should NOT use plywood floors for tap dancing, especially to teach classes!
    
     
30. We are remodeling our basement and I would love to have an area for tap and workouts. I have a concrete floor presently, but we are carpeting it. So in the area where I'd like to build the floor, should I leave it concrete or carpet it first, then build the floor over it?
    If your floor is to be carpeted anyway, common sense would dictate that you lay the carpeting on the whole floor, especially if your new tap/aerobics area has a truly portable floor. This way you could move the dance floor around if needed, and your house resale value wouldn't be negatively affected by the "bare patch." Another advantage is that carpeting should help somewhat muffle the sounds of both taps and music.
    
     
31. Hi. I'd like to practice in my room. My room is on the second floor. I've put down a piece of 1/4 inch hardwood
    4x8. Under that is the carpet and carpet pad, and under that is a plywood floor on wood cross beams of some sort from the construction of the house. Does this sound safe? Thanks!
    Safe for the floors, yes. For your body, no. One of the biggest downsides of standard plywood for us tappers is that due to its structure it tends to absorb sound instead of properly dissipating it. As a result we tend to "pound more" to get sound out of the floor. The result is frequently what's called micro-injuries. Those are particularly vicious because they do not reveal themselves for weeks, months, or sometimes years, and by then it's too late, the damage to joints and bones has been done.
    
    If you do ahead with this setup we'd recommend that you tap VERY lightly!
    
     
32.  We have a maple floor in our Activity Center that the tappers are not allowed to use because we will mark up the floor and a stage that is masonite sections which is very slippery. What could we put over the stage floor and what type of finish could we use on the maple floor so we would be able to tap on it?
    We know of maple floors that have been used by tappers for decades (and even one for over a century) and only show normal wear and tear. A properly trained tap teacher or tap rehearsal director will not accept on the floor tappers whose shoes have loose screws, which are pretty much the only things that can damage a maple floor. Short of this,  your TAPPERS BELONG ON THAT MAPLE FLOOR.
     
     
33. My daughter has a practice studio in the basement, with the typical vinyl tile over concrete...needless to say she is severely limited in tricks and turns due to fear of falling and/or injury. What is your best suggestion? My concern is that she just have an area that is safe to practice.
    Your concerns are entirely justified, anywhere but there! Just pull up some carpeting upstairs and let her tap there. If it's a sub floor it's not great but it's far less dangerous. If it's a top floor made of hardwood as if very often the case, she should just make sure her screws are nice and tight, she can then practice to her heart's content without risk to the floor or, more importantly, to herself.
    
     
34. Does the thickness of a floor affect the sound of a tap shoe?
    There are many other factors but yes, it most definitely does,
    
     
35. My cheer/dance gym is moving to a new location and we want to add clogging. We can't do anything permanent to the commercially carpeted floors. If I build a hardwood maple floor and place it over the carpet, will it work and meet the standards?
    There is no reason why it shouldn't. However, be prepared to have some type of damage done to the areas where the floor rest on the carpet. 
    
     
36. Need information on flooring call 'Timestep' by Stagestep. Have been asked to lay Timestep flooring over our sprung hardwood. What is potential for injuries, sound quality, and overall quality of the surface for tapping and other dance forms. Please advise as soon as possible.
    We normally refrain on commenting on specific manufacturers, models, etc. However, in our opinion that particular product (essentially a thick sheet of linoleum-type flooring that meets none of the criteria which are listed above) has to have one of the most unfortunate and inappropriate names we have ever seen, for ANY kind of product. Sheer ignorance? Marketing gimmick? We have no idea, but we can tell you that it must make the great pioneers of tap turn in their graves...
    
    Bottom line? You would be FAR better off tapping on your existing sprung hardwood floor.
    
     
37. At my daughters dance studio, they recently installed a wood floor that does not seem to be properly finished. Black particles from the tap shoes are getting on the girls clothing, shoes, and more concerning their skin and in their nose. Is there a health issue with this kind of dust floating around them?
    Quite possibly, but your assumption that the "particles" come from the tap shoes may well be incorrect.
    
     
38. I dance with senior tap dance club. The HOA is concerned that we are ruining their 20 yr old hard wood stage. There is no visible damage to the stage. Is there any finish that can be put on the stage to keep it looking shinny and like new but will not be slipery while we tap?
    If there's no visible damage to the stage, then you gals are doing a great job of keeping your tap screws tight and your shoes in good order.
    
    The assumption that YOU, tappers, will damage a hardwood floor that has seen twenty years of stage activity is not an uncommon one, but it is grossly incorrect, not to mention simply absurd. There are many, many other  things in and around a theater that will cause far greater damage to a stage floor! In addition, putting a "shiny" finish on any stage floor makes the life of lighting designers and crews extremely difficult, so we'd advise staying away from that idea.
    
     
39. I have recently installed a Bamboo Floor on a raised spring floor. I was told that Bamboo is as hard as Maple flooring. After installation I put my tap shoes on and on every heel dig and toe we discovered dents. Did we use the wrong type of wood?
    Not necessarily. Deep dents could indicate that you have been "had" on that particular floor but small dents are a normal part of the wear and tear on floors that are used for all types of percussive dance. They do not affect the lifespan of the floor and they often give it quite a bit of character! Some of us have performed on maple and oak floors that were over one hundred years old, had never been refinished, and probably had tens of thousands of "dents." Those floors are gorgeous and they are amongst the best we've ever tapped on. 
    
     
40. I am a Group Fitness Director. I added tap classes to our schedule about two years ago. My upper managment is suggesting we discontinue tapping due to the negative effect it has on the floor (ie, dents). I think the cast iron weights from the 10+ per week muscle sculpting classes is what is causing the dents. Thoughts?
    Congratulations on having the foresight to add tap to your curriculum. While generally considered a "low-impact," it is also one the best physical activities for BOTH the body and the soul. As to the dents issue, weights could very well be the culprit. Dents from taps and weights do look quite different while examined close-up, so that's pretty easy to determine (and hey, you could have your whole class do that while doing push-ups!)
    
     
41. We are a group of senior citizens who tap purely for physical and mental exercise. Our local college has a great dance studio they allow us to use, but are concerned about our taps damaging their oak wood floor, which they just refinished. Now that it is like a gym floor, they have ask us to put down a covering such a plywood. Is there a better alternative?  What can we do to prevent scratching and denting the floor? 
    The kind of very small and "soft-edged" dents that are caused by taps which are of good quality (those taps that have among other features, no sharp edges whatsoever) do NOT affect the longevity of a hardwood floor. But screws that are not kept tightened and start sticking out can cause considerable damage to the floor surface. This is the single most important thing we tappers can and should do to prevent floor damage.
    
    ANY responsible tapper should keep their taps properly fastened (and yes, do forget about the "tune your taps" gobbledygook, it requires special, very hard to find soles and doesn't make you a better tapper (quite the contrary, actually!) Feel free to visit the Tapper's Page where all this has also been discussed. 
    
     
42. I have a customer that wants to equip her home with a tap floor. She has heard of Marley floors and has good reviews. Im trying to make her happy with her floor. Please give me and idea of your ideal floor. I'd really appreciate your advice on the best products available.
    It sounds like you have not even bothered reading this page before sending in your question...
     
     
43. I'm wondering if a "floating floor" is appropriate for tap. I was told that floating floors (or maybe just some) are made of hardwood (bamboo for example). Is it true and is such a floor really appropriate? Thank you in advance.
    Floating is just another term for "sprung" or resilient, although you will always find some people who like to bicker about semantics. That has nothing to do with the type of wood that is used though, these are two completely separate things.
    
    But the bottom line is, such floors are not only appropriate but a MUST (see minimum standards at the top of this page for a quick summary list.)
    
     
44. Hi guys thanks for the great info. Was wanting to know what you have found wrong with MDF sheeting because
    I've tapped on it at home for years and it's hard, loud, has good slide and doesn't get damaged?
    That's just one problem, MDF is hard. Too hard in fact. Yes, there is such a thing as a floor that's too hard even though at the age of 20 you're unlikely to notice it. But your body is absorbing all the pounding and trust us, your joints and/or spine will pay the price sooner or later. Another problem is the formaldehyde or other glues used to make MDF. While some manufacturers emission levels, formaldehyde can still be very harmful (from itchy eyes/throats to cancer-causing) and no one really knows how much time it takes for formaldehyde to stop being emitted by a floor (IF it ever is.) A third problem - and one that's very noticeable to us at the professional level but may be less important to you - is MDF's extremely limited tonal range. Have you noticed how all the steps more or less sound the same on MDF? Most tappers in turn tend to tap even harder on it, which just compounds the abovementioned problems.
    
    While there are floors that are worse than MDF, we just cannot recommend it in good conscience.
    
    
     

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