FAQs

Please view our ‘Cleaning and Maintenance’ page for guidance on the best method that you should follow to clean your vinyl floor.

Harlequin Vinyl Daily Cleaner contains the biocide Benzalkonium Chloride which provides antibacterial properties and has been proven to be effective against most bacteria and viruses, including novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Harlequin Vinyl Daily Cleaner is a proprietary floor cleaner that has been specifically formulated to clean Harlequin vinyl flooring and contains the biocide Benzalkonium Chloride which provides antibacterial properties proven to be effective against most bacteria and viruses, including novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Daily use of Harlequin Vinyl Daily Cleaner is a good practice as it will maintain the optimum performance of your Harlequin floor while keeping it hygienically clean, so reducing the likelihood of any harmful germs, bacteria or virus accumulating on the surface of the floor. More frequent use is acceptable if required.

Full instructions for cleaning all Harlequin floors can be found in our Downloads section under ‘Care and Maintenance’.

We would not recommend the use of a general multipurpose surface cleaner to clean Harlequin vinyl floors.

Harlequin Vinyl Daily Cleaner is a proprietary floor cleaner containing a biocide that is effective against most bacteria and viruses (including novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) and has been specifically formulated to clean Harlequin vinyl flooring, leaving it hygienically clean and at optimum performance.

Steam mops are effective at maintaining a hygienically clean floor but do not clean the floor surface of all contaminants. After cleaning your floor with a Harlequin Vinyl Daily Cleaner, we recommend a thorough rinse with clean water. In this instance a steam mop could be used as an alternative to a mop and clean water.

In order to kill a virus, the strength of the alcohol solution would have to be very high, a minimum of 60% alcohol. If you dilute it to below this concentration, the solution loses its effectiveness.

Harlequin does not recommend the use of bleach or alcohol-based cleaners, abrasive powders or creams, strong solvents such as Acetone or highly alkaline solutions as they may irreparably damage the surface. Use of such products will invalidate the guarantee.

Harlequin Vinyl Daily Cleaner is a proprietary floor cleaner containing a biocide that is effective against most bacteria and viruses (including novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) and has been specifically formulated to clean Harlequin vinyl flooring, leaving it hygienically clean and at optimum performance.

We would not recommend the use of hot water at 60⁰C as it could pose a serious safety risk from possible scalding and may damage the vinyl floor.  Water alone will not be as effective as using Harlequin Vinyl Daily Cleaner which is formulated to work best with ambient or lukewarm water.

All new Harlequin vinyl dance floors should be cleaned before use using Harlequin Vinyl Daily Cleaner. Once you have done this, please follow the guidance on our ‘Cleaning and Maintenance’ page.

Apply antibacterial cleaner to a clean cloth and wipe the barres and brackets. Do not spray cleaner directly onto wooden barres and this may cause discoloration. Polish with a clean dry cloth.

Persistent marks may be removed from solid beech or pine barres by lightly sanding with ‘00’ grade wire wool or very fine sandpaper.

Marks on the brackets and aluminium barres may be removed using a mild detergent solution with a damp cloth.

Powerful or abrasive cleaners should be avoided as they may damage the surface.

An emulsion dressing is a liquid that can be added to your dance floor in order to provide it with a wear coat. Harlequin do not normally recommend the use of emulsion dressing as it will cover up any emboss on the surface and will also change the slip resistance of your floor. Please follow the guidance on our ‘Cleaning and Maintenance’ page.

Harlequin vinyl dance floor dressing is an acrylic emulsion dressing which gives the a protective coating. It is used by those who wish to ‘dress’ their floor. Harlequin do not recommend the use of dressing on floors used for dance as it may cover any emboss on the surface and will change the slip resistance of your floor. Please contact us for further details.

Harlequin vinyl dance floor maintainer is an antibacterial cleanser which leaves behind a protective coating. Harlequin do not recommend the use of dressing or maintainer on floors used for dance as it may cover any emboss on the surface and will change the slip resistance of your floor. Please contact us for further details. Please follow the guidance on our ‘Cleaning and Maintenance’ page.

British Harlequin web shop orders can be delivered to the UK only. Our European web shop can deliver to countries on the European continent. For all other destinations please contact us on +44 (0)1892 514 888 before placing your order.

The transportation used will depend upon your order. If your order’s small then it could arrive via Royal Mail or a courier service. If your order is large or heavy it may arrive in a 7.5 tonne tail-lift lorry, so please bear this in mind and let us know if you think there will be any difficulties.

If you place your order during working hours, your item(s) are in stock and your payment has been confirmed, then delivery will usually be two to three working days. Express delivery is available – please contact us for further details.

Our vinyl and sprung dance floors can be fitted by our highly-skilled technical team as part of our total package to ensure your new floor is correctly installed and is fully compliant with current regulations and standards. We also offer services in specialised stage building for larger venues or ballet wagons. Contact us for further information.

Please view our Guarantee here for further information.

Please see British Harlequin plc  Conditions of Sale here.

A Harlequin Liberty sprung floor panel system can be hired for a special event, for touring, for a television show or even for an actor to rehearse on. PLEASE NOTE: A Harlequin sprung floor is always used in conjunction with an appropriate Harlequin vinyl performance floor, which is not available to hire and will need to be purchased. Visit our dance floor hire page or contact us for further information.

Yes, we sell a range of ballet barres and dance mirrors, and we can supply them as part of a studio fit out.

Apply antibacterial cleaner to a clean cloth and wipe the barres and brackets. Do not spray cleaner directly onto wooden barres and this may cause discoloration. Polish with a clean dry cloth.

Persistent marks may be removed from solid beech or pine barres by lightly sanding with ‘00’ grade wire wool or very fine sandpaper.

Marks on the brackets and aluminium barres may be removed using a mild detergent solution with a damp cloth.

Powerful or abrasive cleaners should be avoided as they may damage the surface.

If you’re looking for a full studio fit-out then yes, we can supply mirrors, along with the flooring and ballet barres too. You can see the range of Harlequin Studio mirrors on our dance mirrors page.

We supply five Harlequin sprung floors; Harlequin WoodSpring, Harlequin Activity, Harlequin Liberty, Harlequin Liberty HD and Harlequin Flexity.

This depends upon the Harlequin sprung floor you choose. Harlequin WoodSpring and Harlequin Activity and are always installed by our highly-skilled technical team. Harlequin Liberty and Harlequin Liberty HD is usually installed by us, but you can install this floor yourself as it is a modular panel system. Harlequin Flexity is designed to be a self-installed sprung floor, but we can install it for you if required. Please contact us for more details.

This depends upon the Harlequin sprung floor you choose. Harlequin WoodSpring and Harlequin Activity and are always installed by our highly-skilled technical team. Harlequin Liberty and Harlequin Liberty HD is usually installed by us, but you can install this floor yourself as it is a modular panel system. Harlequin Flexity is designed to be a self-installed sprung floor, but we can install it for you if required. Please contact us for more details.

Harlequin Liberty HD is water resistant and can be used outside. Harlequin vinyl performance surfaces must only be used in dry conditions or under cover. Please contact us if you need more details on which Harlequin floors are suitable for outside use.

We supply ten different vinyl floors which are , Harlequin Cascade, Harlequin Studio, Harlequin Reversible, Harlequin Reversible Pro, Harlequin Fiesta, Harlequin Hi-Shine, Harlequin Marine,  Harlequin Showfloor, Harlequin Standfast and Harlequin Allegro.

Marley Floors Ltd originally manufactured a double-sided floor for dance but their production line closed in 1977. Their Export Sales Manager, Bob Dagger, decided to set up Harlequin Floors and began production of a similar floor, which he called Harlequin Reversible. In some countries a ‘Marley floor’ has become a generic term for a vinyl floor.

A permanent vinyl floor is stuck down with adhesive and can’t be removed without risking damage to the floor. A semi-permanent vinyl floor is loose-laid using double-sided tape and then welded at the seams. The seams can later be cut and the floor taken up. A portable vinyl floor is rolled out and the seams are either covered with tape or temporarily secured to the sub-floor on the underside with double-sided tape.

Yes but only when you use it in dry conditions or it’s under cover. If it gets wet then it will become very slippery. If it is placed in direct sunlight it will heat up and may expand. Lighter colours will stay cooler. If in doubt, please contact us.

Always ensure that the Harlequin Vinyl Floor is cleaned before it is rolled up. If there is any dirt on the underside sweep it clean to prevent transfer onto the performance surface when rolling. Ensure that all adhesive residue from the tape is removed before rolling, otherwise it may be transferred to the performance surface and cause damage. Any stubborn adhesive residue can be removed using warm soapy water and a non-abrasive scouring pad. Allow to the soapy water to penetrate before using the pad. If any adhesive residue remains, dab lightly with methylated spirit and wipe off with a soft cloth Retain the original cardboard core, as it will be required to roll the floor after use. The cores help support the product and will prevent damage caused by bending and creasing. Use of the core will also make the rolled floor easier to handle. If the original cardboard cores are no longer available, use a PVC drainpipe with a minimum diameter of 75mm, ideally 100mm. All Harlequin Vinyl Floors except Allegro, Studio and FreeStyle should be stored on the core horizontally, not vertically (standing on the roll end) which is likely to cause damage to the floor edge. Harlequin Allegro, Studio and FreeStyle should be stored vertically to prevent compression damage to the foam backing. If the floor is being transported to another location, retain the original packaging (box and inserts) for reuse to protect the floor in transit.

Harlequin vinyl floors are designed to stand up to gruelling tour schedules and, if maintained correctly, will last many years. We have customers who still use floors that they bought from us over 25 years ago!

Harlequin vinyl floors are freeze tolerant but, like all vinyls, they get harder and stiffer as the temperature drops. However, when the temperature rises again they will return to normal. If the weather is cold when taking delivery, the best advice is to take the floor inside as soon as possible.

A Harlequin vinyl floor can be laid onto most level sub-floors, including concrete, wood or tiles, although we don’t advise laying onto carpet. If a sub-floor is not level or is unacceptably hard, then a Harlequin sprung floor can be used in conjunction with a Harlequin performance surface (vinyl floor, hardwood or engineered board). If you are worried whether your existing floor is suitable, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Harlequin vinyl floors are available in widths of either 1.5m or 2m and in varying roll lengths depending on the product chosen.

If the floor is being transported to another location, retain the original packaging (box and inserts) for reuse to protect the floor in transit. Alternatively, you can use Harlequin vinyl floor storage bags.

Always ensure that the Harlequin Vinyl Floor is cleaned before it is rolled up. If there is any dirt on the underside sweep it clean to prevent transfer onto the performance surface when rolling.

Ensure that all adhesive residue from the tape is removed before rolling, otherwise it may be transferred to the performance surface and cause damage. Any stubborn adhesive residue can be removed using warm soapy water and a non-abrasive scouring pad. Allow to the soapy water to penetrate before using the pad. If any adhesive residue remains, dab lightly with methylated spirit and wipe off with a soft cloth

Retain the original cardboard core, as it will be required to roll the floor after use. The cores help support the product and will prevent damage caused by bending and creasing. Use of the core will also make the rolled floor easier to handle. If the original cardboard cores are no longer available, use a PVC drainpipe with a minimum diameter of 75mm, ideally 100mm.

That will depend upon the type of floor you’re looking for, the area you wish to cover, if you need it installed and where you’re based. There are many variables, so we can’t provide a specific price or even a general indication on our website. Please contact us for a quote, advice, free samples or further information.

You can buy a Harlequin floor directly from us, we operate worldwide. Contact us for further details.

You will find Harlequin Hi-Shine and Harlequin Reversible in our online shop. Contact us if you require further information about any of our products and services.

Environmental responsibility has been a core value within the Harlequin Group for many decades. Environmentally compatible products and state-of-the-art processes ensure that each production stage minimises our environmental impact.

We engage in responsible product sourcing that combines our customers’ preference for quality with care for the environment, carefully selecting suppliers who reflect our environmental and social concerns. We constantly seek to improve the environmental performance of our processes from manufacture through installation and ongoing maintenance. Raw materials and energy are used efficiently, waste is recycled wherever possible and emissions are kept to an absolute minimum.

Certification and material sourcing: Timber
We either use chain of custody certification or FSC certified sources and documentation is available regarding provenance on request.

PVC lifecycle and policy
PVC floor coverings can be fully recycled and are therefore often described as a sustainable product. The Harlequin Group recycles nearly 100% of its post manufacturing waste. We also buy in further recycled PVC material, thereby actively reducing the amount of used PVC sent to landfill. As part of our commitment to Product Stewardship, we will also recycle any Harlequin product returned to our factories in Europe for recycling at the end of its life, thus minimising our and our customers’ carbon footprints.