How Do You Cut Marley Dance Flooring?

When it comes to dance flooring, Marley flooring rolls are a top choice for studios, performance venues, and for students practicing at home. Marley flooring offers optimal traction for dancers to support an ideal performance. It’s also durable and highly versatile, meaning a studio can use a single Marley floor to support all of their dancers.

Whether you’re buying a Marley dance floor for your home or your professional studio, if you plan on installing it yourself, you may need to be prepared to cut the roll to fit the space. Understanding how to cut Marley floor can help you with your DIY installation and ensure that you get great results.

How to Cut Marley Floor

Marley is a vinyl flooring roll, and it can be cut to fit a stage, a studio floor, or even a portable dance floor surface. Custom cutting Marley flooring is a simple process. To have the greatest success, you’ll need to have the following items nearby:

1. A sharp utility knife with a fresh blade and possibly some extras on hand in case the original one dulls.


2. A straight-edge guide.


3. A tape measure.


4. A pen or marker.


5. Cardboard, cutting mat, or other safe surface on which to cut.

Once you have these items, as well as your Marley flooring, you’re ready to begin this simple, 4-step process for cutting Marley flooring:

1. Measure the length of the Marley you’d like to cut, and mark that distance. It’s always a good idea to measure twice, just to be sure your markings are accurate.


2. Place your cardboard or cutting mat under the portion of Marley you wish to cut. This will prevent causing damage to your existing floor.


3. Align your straight edge with your pen or marker marks.


4. Following your straight edge with your utility knife, use a series of shallow scores until you cut through the Marley. If it doesn’t cut easily, it’s time to change your blade.

Additional Tips for a Clean Cut

Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure a clean, precise process when cutting Marley flooring.

1. Measure twice, cut once.


2. A metal straight edge works the best. (Some even have a cork or other non-skid surface on the back to prevent them from accidentally slipping during the cut.)


3. The longer the straight edge, the better.


4. Always have a protective cutting surface under the Marley.


5. Using a brand new sharp blade is critical - with replacement blades available. If it's not scoring easily, your blade isn’t sharp enough and it’s time to replace it.


6. Be patient while scoring. You'll get a cleaner cut if you make sure the blade stays against the straight edge and you don't try to force the blade through the Marley.

Why Cut Marley Flooring?

Although the thought of cutting Marley flooring may be intimidating, buying large rolls and cutting them yourself really does save money. When you follow the simple, step by step instructions provided, cutting your Marley flooring and installing it yourself can be an easy project.


When you cut Marley flooring yourself, you’re able to get the exact dimensions that you need for your space, which can mean professional and clean looking results. Don’t worry if you have a bit of extra product once you get the roll in your space, as most rolls ship in slightly longer rolls than ordered to allow for that custom fit.

If you really don’t want to do the cutting, there are Marley products with custom lengths available.

How to Get the Most from Your Marley Dance Floor

Before installing your Marley dance floor, carefully read the instructions and storage directions. If you plan to uninstall and store the Marley, be sure that you do so on rolls. Roll the flooring on the cardboard core that came with the roll or on a PVC tube of a similar diameter. Then, store the roll on its end, in an upright position. Storing it improperly can cause it to flatten and may lead to irreparable damage.

If you plan to transport the Marley flooring, it’s best to store the flooring in the same way, with the roll in an upright position. Secure the flooring so that it doesn’t fall over during transport.

How you clean the flooring will impact its longevity and performance, too. Again, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. You should regularly sweep and dry mop the floors. Be sure to mop the floors weekly with a dance floor cleanser, and deep clean the floor twice a year using a concentrated degreaser. Avoid using regular household cleaners, bleach, ammonia, alcohol, vinegar, and waxers and sealers, since these materials can damage and degrade the floor.

By carefully caring for your Marley floor, you can maximize its lifespan and get plenty of use out of your investment in your dance floor.