Synthetic Ice Installation & Maintenance

Should your synthetic ice rink be indoors or outdoors?

A few decades ago, this was not an option if you wanted your personal ice rink.

Ice rinks were always outdoor options as you would skate on a frozen lake or create your backyard ice rink.

These backyard ice rinks need several steps.

Take some tarp, some wood, lots of water, and the right temperature.

If everything goes right, you should have a rink that lasts the winter.  

The creation of refrigerated rinks meant that ice could now go indoors.

You currently have hockey, figure skating, curling, and other ice sports indoors.

Indoor refrigerated ice rinks eventually came to the home, allowing smaller spaces this luxury.

However, refrigerated rinks can be expensive and difficult to set up.

For many, this is a niche, luxury item mainly for the rich that love skating.  

Synthetic Ice Changed the Game.  

At some point, you must have heard about – or skated on – synthetic ice (or artificial ice).

The surface (or panels) are made of a skatable polyethylene material that connects on the floor like puzzle pieces.

There are many providers (and a few imitators) currently being sold on the market.

PolyGlide Synthetic Ice is manufactured with a proprietary blend that provides optimal glide and performance and limits skate blade wear.

These materials allow for the best skating experience.  

Synthetic ice panels were mainly used in malls or large training centers.

However, advancements in design allow them to be customizable.

Now, the everyday skater can have a rink at home if they choose.

Best of all, these rinks could be indoors or outdoors.  

The Benefits of Synthetic Ice Rinks 

Synthetic ice rinks have distinct advantages over their refrigerated or natural counterparts, whether indoors or outdoors.  

• You won’t need to depend on the weather like natural rinks, for starters. These rinks need the First Freeze to make their rink solid. Your synthetic ice rink comes right out of the box, ready to skate. 
• You’ll save the water and energy it takes to set up alternative rinks outdoors. With your synthetic ice rink, you can install it indoors or outdoors while saving your water bill. This simple change makes synthetic ice a long-term, ‘green’ option. 
• High-quality synthetic ice is competitively priced. However, the cost is nothing compared to the costs involved with an outdoor or indoor rink. This needs rented (or bought) refrigeration systems, installation, and maintenance. 
• Synthetic ice rinks are highly durable, lasting up to 10 years or more with proper care. Imagine spending money on other rinks over ten winters! 
• Rinks are customizable. You can have circular rinks, rectangular rinks, and much more. Since you’ll have tiles at specific dimensions, space is not an issue.   

Synthetic ice is as simple as ordering and installing, but you’re here to decide whether your rink should be inside or outside.  

 

Should My rink be Indoors or Outdoors? 

Outdoor and indoor rinks have similar benefits.

Both are great ways to improve your endurance and strength.

For instance, skating improves your lower body and core.

It’s also essential to improve your skills, speed, and agility.

They are both easy to install and maintain.

Despite these similarities, each location will have some added benefits.  

Synthetic Ice Rink Indoors - Benefits

A synthetic ice rink indoors may sound like a massive rink for competitive hockey, but it isn’t.

When we use the term ‘rink,’ we mean any space that allows you or others to skate, even if it’s a small distance.

If you have a large room, barn, or indoor complex, that’s great.

However, indoor rinks have the advantage of scaling down, so a spare bedroom or garage is excellent too.

If you have kids passionate about hockey or figure skating, you can create a small indoor rink so they can practice specific skills like stick work or shooting.  

Indoor rinks are also out of the elements.

The cold is one of the charms of ice skating, but some people prefer to avoid the chilly weather.

An indoor ice rink gives you more control over the temperature or swings in the weather like rain.

Falling snow can also freeze your rink if you forget to cover it.

With an indoor rink, you can have cool (or toasty) training sessions during the winter.

Since your synthetic ice allows for training year-round, you can avoid those scorching summer days too.

You can adjust your temperature to emulate conditions in competitive play.  

These rinks also have the added benefit of security and safety.

Sometimes, skating can become competitive, which is a good thing.

However, you will still want to watch your little ones to avoid injury.

An indoor skating space means the kids can be active and constructive while safely inside.

With the evolving world due to the pandemic, an indoor rink at home limits the interaction of the skaters in the house, which may be the safer option in the short term.  

 

 

Synthetic Ice Rink Outdoors – Benefits 

So what about outside?

When we think about at-home rinks, outdoors is where it’s at.

For starters, you can place your synthetic ice tiles almost anywhere outdoors.

Driveways, backyards, decks, and even cul-de-sacs can be converted into an outdoor rink.

We’ve even seen rinks installed on top of pools! Like indoor rinks, you have lots of flexibility thanks to set dimensions with synthetic tiles or panels. 

Unlike indoor rinks, you have the possibility of scale.

Some people have large backyards that are begging for a massive outdoor rink.

Larger outdoor rinks mean skaters can build endurance and strength much faster.

Outdoor rinks allow for more skaters and even some 3-on-3 action.

This can help skaters become match-fit and more passionate about the game.  

Outdoor rinks mean that skaters need to face the elements.

Skating in the cold can help them acclimate to the cold rinks of competitive play.

It may be much colder than those rinks at times, but it can help build the mental toughness that skating sports often require.  

If staying exclusive is not a concern, outdoor rinks are great for community and family building.

You can invite a few neighbors, teammates, or friends to skate or play a competitive game.

An outdoor rink is also a great space for family time.

Have some fun skating on Friday night or have a chilly movie night on the rink.

When you have an outdoor rink, you’ll find more creative ways to use the space.

And you’ll enjoy the peaceful skating under the stars.  

 

 

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Synthetic Ice Rink Outdoors? 

If you have decided to build a large, synthetic ice rink outdoors, some costs are involved.

The cost will be decided by a few factors: 

1. The size of the rink 
2. How much you’ll use the rink 
3. Added touches (walls, dasher boards, etc.) 

Most synthetic ice tiles are sold as a group of equally sized parts.

These parts can combine to make a small, square space for skating.

Use this information to calculate how many tiles you’ll need for the space, then factor in taxes and shipping.  

If you’re confident that your rink will see daily skating and heavy traffic, you’ll want to consider larger, more durable panels.

These panels are often for commercial use and are more expensive but can last longer than tiles.

Once you have your panels, you’ll also need to think about rink walls and dasher boards.

The rink walls will prevent stray pucks and skaters from falling out of the rink.

The dasher boards will help pucks to rebound during gameplay.

Work with your synthetic ice provider to find the best rink walls and dasher boards on the market.  

What About Indoors? Is the Cost the Same? 

With an indoor rink, your cost will depend on the size of the space.

Most indoor rink customers will install in smaller rooms like spare bedrooms, home gyms, or garages.

These smaller spaces require just a few synthetic ice tiles.

Larger rinks will need more tiles but may not command the cost of an outdoor rink.

You can still add dasher boards, goalposts, and other training aids.

However, the overall price should be cheaper. 

Go Outdoors – The Setup. 

An outdoor rink can be set up with a few simple steps. First, decide on your location.

It could be most of your backyard or a smaller, outdoor area.

Next, measure the location with tape or find out the exact square footage using an app.  

Before you order your tiles, you might need to check the grade of your space.

Many backyards aren’t level due to construction, for instance. 

Use this simple online guide to check if your yard is level.

Skating on uneven ice leads to a poor experience and increases the chances of injury.

If it’s not level, you’ll need to get some plywood boards first before installing the synthetic ice.  

Installing the ice is as simple as connecting your tiles with a rubber mallet.

To avoid injury, it is recommended to get some help for installation.

This is especially so if you’re installing panels vs. tiles.  

After installing the ice, you can install the rink walls and dasher boards.

Make sure to leave a few inches of space for this installation in your measurements.

Rink walls can be plywood, but there are professionally designed walls available online, so it’s down to personal preference.

Each wall will need a small beam attached to the outside for support.

Make sure and test the integrity of the walls before any skating.  

Once everything is in place, you and your kids can start skating! 

 

 

Setting Up Your Indoor Rink 

Some indoor spaces need much less planning and execution.

For instance, if you’re setting up in a part of your living room, you can do so without consultation with your provider.

Buy the rink out the box, install and enjoy.

Larger spaces will need more thought, but the general concept (a la outdoor rinks) remains.  

Measuring your space is important as you don’t want to buy too few or too many tiles.

Both can cost extra in tiles and shipping.

When measuring the space (for example, a large room), leave a few inches to compensate for dasher boards and the room’s walls.

Synthetic ice can swell slightly in hot temperatures, and this extra space helps.  

Most indoor rooms are already level so that you can install your rink with a soft mallet.

Once the boards are in place, you can install your goalpost, dasher board, or other training equipment.

Indoor rinks are great for small kids or teens looking to train specific skills, so they’ll want to use them immediately.  

Both indoor and outdoor rinks need some maintenance to perform like the first time.

Clean the tiles with warm soapy water and a soft brush or Swiffer mop.

This takes off the shavings that can develop over time with metal skates.

Finally, make sure to pick up a glide enhancer or other product to keep your tiles smooth.

Reapplying this product from time to time will improve the lifespan of your tiles. 

Conclusion

Indoor and outdoor rinks are just a matter of preference.

Both bring the joy of lacing up skates and having fun at home, whether that’s in the backyard or the back room.

There’s also cost and time to install a larger outdoor rink versus a smaller indoor space.

If you can work out the costs, then you can make a more concrete decision: 

• Do you want a space that can bring people together to get the most out of the rink? Then go outdoors. 
• Is it solely to hone specific skills in the off-season? Indoor may be best. 

Assess the pros and cons outlined here, and then make the best decision based on your space and resources.

If you’re still having trouble deciding, use our Quote Questionnaire to help you get clear on your needs.

We’ve helped hundreds of skating enthusiasts build indoor and outdoor rinks of different sizes and shapes.

We will get back to you with some ideas that will best suit your needs.  

 

Imagine the benefit of owning your own home synthetic ice rink.

Are you tired of driving back-and-forth to the rink?

Do you have kids who are crazed skaters and can’t get enough?

Millions enjoy ice skating and ice sports in America.

Sports like ice hockey, figure skating bring out creativity, competitiveness, and joy.

Although getting to a rink to get some ice time can be a hassle for some.

It's seems like more and more rinks are closing down or becoming less accessible. 

So it might be time to have your personal rink.  

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Create Your Own Home RInk With Our Glide-Infused Synthetic Ice Panels And Rink Packages

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 Now, the first thought that will come to mind is the expertise needed.  

On top of that, well, all that ice! But with our synthetic ice panels you can easily create an at-home rink.

In fact, you can convert any room into your own synthetic ice rink.

Here’s everything you need to know about the process.

 

First, What’s Synthetic Ice?

Like you, someone had the same problem several years ago.

They wanted to skate but didn’t have access to a rink.

The solution was to create a durable material smooth enough to skate with your actual metal skates. 

Over time, companies like PolyGlide ice have perfected these panels to create high-quality panels.

Our synthetic ice panels are made of HDPE or High-Density Polyethylene and UHMWPE or Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.

Companies developed these panels to outfit large rinks in places like malls and recreational centers in the past.

These panels are now designed at a much smaller scale and interlock like puzzles to fit any space. 

Synthetic ice panels are also infused with a self-lubricating formula, meaning they have less friction and a reduced need to reapply a liquid like a glide enhancer. Because of the durable material, the panels can last several years. 

With synthetic ice panels, ice skaters can skate anywhere and anytime. You can even use these panels to create a rink in any room. \

Does It Make Sense To Convert A Room Into A Rink?

Even with the availability of synthetic ice, you may be wondering if it makes sense to convert a room into a rink.

Let’s address some of the benefits of owning a synthetic ice rink.

Building a natural rink is costly

You can create a rink with natural ice.

However, there is a high cost in outsourcing the equipment and manpower to do so.

Furthermore, you can spend hundreds of dollars on maintenance costs every month.

A synthetic ice rink takes away the time and cost involved.

You can set it up and even remove it in less than an hour, depending on the size of the rink. 

You can safely skate any time of the year

If you decide on a frozen backyard rink, you will only have your rink during the winter months.

Some ice sports and events are only active during this time as well.

So what will you do?

A home ice rink lets you put on your ice skates at any time during the year.

If you or your kids love to skate, you don’t have to wait!

You can stay ahead of the competition

Is hockey taking a hiatus? With a home rink, you won’t have to.

In the offseason, you can work on your skating, agility, power, and skills.

While everyone is at home, you or your kids will surprise their teammates and the competition.  

Reinforce the love of skating

If you and your kids are passionate about ice skating, figure skating, or ice hockey, why not encourage it?

The feeling you or your kids will receive from skating will be priceless.

 

 

Here’s What You’ll Need To Set Up

Converting a room of your choice into a synthetic room is a relatively simple process.

First, you have to decide on your room.

The room should be easily accessible since you will need to put on your skates before going onto the synthetic ice.

The space should also be free of any objects of value that can break or fall and hurt skaters.

Next, you will need to measure the room to determine the size and number of synthetic ice panels you will need to construct your rink.

From there, you’ll need:

• Your purchased synthetic ice tiles (based on your measurements). 
• A rubber mallet to connect the tiles evenly. This would prevent any bumps that can create a poor skating experience. 
• Plywood for uneven flooring since the panels need a flat surface.
•  Rink accessories like tape and bounce bars (for hockey).
• A helping hand depending on the size of your rink. 

Now it’s time to get to work.

Let’s look at some of the rooms you can set up to have some epic skating moments.

Converting Your Garage

Garages are the most popular rooms our customers convert into their ice rinks.

It’s easily accessible and many double as storage rooms.

By removing the clutter, you can set up your tiles to cover the entire surface area.

Get some help to clear the space, then place your tiles down using a mallet and some help from a friend.

If you have bounce bars, you can set your bars around the edges of your synthetic ice.

Garages can have high temperatures, causing the tiles to swell slightly, so make sure to leave less than an inch of space to compensate for this.

If the garage is in use, meaning cars will park there, a tarp or similar spread can cover the tiles.

Garages are great for two or more persons practicing hockey.

Persons practicing advanced ice skating moves may also benefit from using their garage.

 

 

 

Ramping Up Your Basement

Your basement is another excellent place to create your own home synthetic ice rink.

Basements tend to have much more space than your garage making it a great place to work on speed drills and more advanced skating moves.

It’s also a great place to skate or play ice hockey without disturbing the rest of the family. 

Ensure you clear out the basement, possibly placing items in external storage or selling off unwanted items.

Measure the space accurately - some basements have corners and turns that can be a bit tricky.

If needed, reach out to us for advice on custom synthetic ice tiles.

These panels need a flat surface, so make sure to remove any carpet or rugs.

Use plywood as additional flooring if required.

As a side note, make sure to have proper ventilation as some basements tend to be hotter than the rest of the house.

Skating In Your Spare Room

Have a spare bedroom available?

It’s an excellent opportunity to turn it into an ice rink.

Extra rooms are perfect for people on a budget but still want to have fun skating.

They are usually smaller than the garage but better than using one large tile in the driveway or deck.

Your spare room should have a flat surface.

Like your basement, make sure to remove any carpet and measure for any uneven surfaces.

An extra room is often a permanent fixture so that you can seal your synthetic ice tiles to the floor with a Double-Sided Seam Tape.

For hockey players, set up bounce bars and protect windows with curtains or reinforced glass.

Spare rooms are great for kids, so you can still monitor their progress and safety.

Flipping Your Living Room Or Kitchen Into A Rink?

Let’s face it. Sometimes, we don’t have the room we want to set up.

For example, a small apartment in the city won’t have the extra space to set things up.

That means we need to improvise. You can turn a living area into a multipurpose room.

While it won’t give you the space to skate freely or practice advanced tricks, it’s still a great alternative to no skating at all!

For example, you can move around your sofa and set up a mini rink right in your living room.

For instance, this little tyke got to practice his stickhandling right in his living room.

They can easily set up and put away the rink at a moment’s notice. 

But one famous example is how Coach Michelle Hong was able to convert her kitchen into her own skating rink!

With limited apartment space, the skating coach was able to improvise so she can skate even under quarantine.

Her kitchen skating exploits have garnered massive attention on Tik Tok, and she shows no signs of slowing down!

If you want to recreate a multipurpose space, envision the part of the room that’s the least cluttered and easiest to set up and tear down.

You can even place a throw rug or mat over your tiles so you can still use the space for its original purpose. 

Conclusion

Now it’s your turn to get your synthetic ice rink up and running.

It will be a great addition to the home for the Holidays!

You and your family will enjoy hours of skating and practice.

Nothing’s better than having fun skating while getting better and better in your field.

And that goes for the kids, too!

If you’re unsure about how many synthetic ice tiles you’ll need or what accessories will help, then contact us today.

We can help you get started!

Take a look at some of our most popular rink packages!

PolyGlide Ice - Home Ice Tiles

PolyGlide Ice - Pro-Glide Panels

 

Keep on Skating! 

Jim Loughran, PolyGlide Ice
www.polyglideice.com

In the early days, synthetic ice rink installations were originally used for commercial applications..

Over the years, the ice moved from only available in large malls and public spaces to homes with custom panels.

Anyone can now have a synthetic ice rink delivered to their homes for a personal skating experience. 

This has brought a rise in the installation of synthetic ice rinks throughout residential communities.

Some persons want to build a large, at-home rink to practice hockey, figure skating, or to pick back up a childhood hobby.

Others are small businesses that want to add a large rink as an added source of income or to host an event.

Whatever the reason, installing a rink has become more accessible than ever.

At the same time, you can make some synthetic ice rink installation mistakes.

Let’s break down the process and offer some simple tips to consider before installing your rink.

 

 

What is Synthetic Ice?

If you’ve stumbled across the concept of synthetic ice for the first time on this blog post, let’s help you out.

Simply put, synthetic ice is interlocking panels made of a high-quality, abrasive resistant polymer. 

There are several synthetic ice manufacturers on the market, but PolyGlide Ice offers both infused High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and/or Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE).

Both materials create a fantastic skating experience that feels similar to natural ice. 

You can order synthetic ice panels to size and shape, installing them quickly to start skating in short order. 

Because these panels are customizable and accessible, it’s possible to create small and large synthetic rinks for your skating needs.

 

 

Synthetic Ice Rink vs. Conventional Ice Rink

There is a subset of persons who enjoy creating a DIY ice rink every year.

A smaller subset still has a conventional rink installed in their homes.

However, there are several advantages to opting for a synthetic ice rink vs. a traditional ice rink.

Easy maintenance: When compared to conventional rinks, synthetic panels can be maintained with minimal effort.

Boards only need a mild cleaner to remove dirt and shavings.

The panels will get scuff marks, which is a good thing. Those grooves improve the skating experience.

Conventional rinks need skilled personnel to maintain the rink.

DIY (flooded) rinks have a short shelf life but depend on factors like temperature.

Improved Skating Experience: With DIY rinks, builders run the risk of creating a sloped rink if the water is not easily distributed.

This tends to happen when the ground is not level. You may not get this issue with a refrigerated rink.

However, synthetic ice panels allow for flexibility in installation.

This flexibility reduces the chances of an uneven rink. 

Durability: Synthetic ice panels can last over ten years, with some being able to last well past 15 years.

Conventional DIY rinks last only as long as the freezing weather.

Refrigerated rinks are durable like synthetics but come at a high cost, as we’ll explain shortly. 

Seasonality: The advantage of getting panels is the year-round availability.

You can skate freely on your rink in the offseason without worrying about melting ice.

For instance, some persons consider using snow for a border or base of their rink.

That snow can melt, creating leaks and poor skating experience.

When you’re installing in warmer seasons, just make sure to dress lightly, because you’ll be working up a sweat!

Cost Savings: Both a conventional, refrigerated rink can cost tens of thousands of dollars to set up and maintain.

We’re not even talking about energy costs.

These rinks can still run in hotter weather, but unless you’re a professional athlete, the cost-benefit won’t add up.

DIY ice rinks can cost you a trip to the hardware store and a lot of time to set up if you’re not good with your hands.

Synthetic rinks cost cheaper than both per square foot. It’s also easier to install! 

Now that you know what synthetic is panels are and the advantages of installing a rink, you might be raring to install one.

Simultaneously, it’s easy to make some installation mistakes that will prove costly or create a poor skating experience.

Here are some mistakes to look out for and how to avoid them.

These tips can save you time, money, and help you get the most out of your synthetic ice rink.

 

 

1. Choose the Right Space for your Rink

If you’re deciding on installing a sizeable synthetic ice rink, make sure to choose the right space before you start anything.

For at-home use, you’ll want an area that you can use for an extended period.

Don’t choose a site where you will need to remove your rink.

For commercial use, you have far more questions and logistics to consider:

Is the selected space easily accessible?

Is the space available for several persons to use at once?

Do you have the necessary approvals to install the rink?

Will you require liability insurance?

What’s your system for getting persons in and out of the rink?

Some of these questions may even apply to home use.

Overall, making sure that you consider all possibilities can save you a future headache.

2. Use a Suitable Subsurface for your Rink

Synthetic panels work best on a hard, flat surface like concrete, wooden decks, or hardwood floors.

Choosing a soft, uneven surface can create a poor skating experience.

Avoid grassy areas, carpeting or gravel floors.

If that’s the only available space, then there’s a solution.

Invest in plywood boards as a sub-flooring for your rink, to give you a nice even floor.

A severley sloped surface may need more boards, soil, or a filler before installing the synthetic panels.                                                                                                        

3. Measure the Space before Ordering

As the saying goes, ‘measure twice, cut once.’ Once you’ve locked down your space, it’s time to measure the dimensions for the rink.

It’s vital to get the right dimensions so you can purchase the right size and number of panels.

Get measuring tape long enough to cover a large area and markers to record the measurements.

You can waste valuable time and money by ordering too many or too few panels.

The same goes for the plywood if you need it.

Check your hardware store for plywood cut to your needs. 

4. Order the Right Type of Tiles

Whether home or commercial use, you must ask a critical question:

What will the rink be used for?

If the rink is solely for figure skating practice, consider a Spin Station, infused for the best skating experience.

These self-infused panels are perfect for professional ice skating, with a solid core.

Ice hockey, on the other hand, can benefit from infused (skating) or non-infused panels (shooting gallery) depending on the purpose of your rink.

Commercial rinks may require a higher molecular weight, durable panel for heavy use.

Choosing the wrong type of synthetic ice can reduce the lifespan and even skating experience.

 

 

5. Use the Right Tools for Installation

You may think you don’t need tools to install a synthetic ice rink.

After all, the panels are interlocking and made-to-measure. But some tools can help.

Taps from a soft mallet are enough to connect the panels for a rink without any borders.

The mallet ensures the panels stay locked in place. Hands alone may not suffice.

If a plywood subsurface or dasher boards are required, make sure to get additional material.

This may include wood framing, screws or nails to secure the plywood or dashers in place. 

6. Account for Temperature Changes

When installing your rink, you may have rink walls and toppers installed for safety.

However, one common mistake is not accounting for temperature changes.

Polyethylene panels tend to expand and contract with changes in temperature.

This may damage the outside of the panels if there is not enough space to account for the expansion.

Expanding tiles can also disconnect from the interlocking grooves.

Leave a couple of inches on the outside of the rink to compensate for any swelling. 

7. Ask for Help!

Synthetic panel installations are quick and easy, but that does not mean you should do it alone!

Getting a friend, family member, or DIY expert can help speed things up.

This is especially the case if you’re building a large skating space that includes walls.

That person may also see something that you’ve missed. When you have others pitch in, the fun starts much sooner.

Conclusion

Ready to install your synthetic ice rink?

It’s a great way to practice ice skating, hockey training, or other ice sports all year round.

Make sure to follow these easy tips.

A simple step, such as choosing and measuring the correct space, can cost you time and money through extra panels.

With rinks for commercial use, make sure to recruit some help and put safety measures in place.

When done the right way, you can get your synthetic ice rink up and running in a couple of hours. 

If you need help choosing the right synthetic ice panels for your needs, don’t hesitate to contact us.

You can also request a quote so you can start planning your installation. We can’t wait to see your rink!

Take a look at some of our most popular rink packages!

PolyGlide Ice - Home Ice Tiles

PolyGlide Ice - Pro-Glide Panels

 

Keep on Skating! 

Jim Loughran, PolyGlide Ice
www.polyglideice.com