1. Choose what type of rink you should build. Do you want to go the traditional route using a hose and relying on the temperature staying below freezing? Or do you want to choose a synthetic ice rink that can be used all year round? A traditional rink made with water is cheaper initially but requires hours of work to build and maintain and you can't control mother nature. A synthetic ice rink costs you up front but once you set it up it will last for more than a decade. Companies like Synthetic Ice Solutions can build a custom synthetic ice rink to fit your exact needs.
2. Make sure the ground is level. Whether you go natural or synthetic this is an important factor to ensure a quality finished product.
3. Consider the direction of the rink if you plan to use it for hockey games. Keep nets away from any windows of your home to avoid them from getting broken.
4. Do you plan to have boards to surround the rink? If you just rely on snowbanks you face the challenge of finding pucks that are shot into them. Simple 2x4's around the rink will keep pucks that are on the ice within the playing surface but not raised pucks. Suppliers like Synthetic Ice Solutions can also provide professional looking rink boards to surround your rink too.
5. Consider how you can add lighting. Once your rink is ready to go the kids will want to keep skating long after dark, it's smart to consider how you can add lighting to make it safer and more fun in the evening too.
6. Add benches near the rink to make it easier to put on skates and also to take a break.
7. Be sure that kids are supervised at all times.
8. If you decide on synthetic ice, choose a product that is reversible, meaning once you put years and years or wear on one side you can flip the panels over and skate on the other side and have a brand new rink again.
9. Be aware of your neighbors and keep the noise level in mind as it gets later in the evening especially. Your rink will be much more enjoyable if you stay on good terms with all of your neighbors.
10. Invite family, friends and neighbors over for a skate and have fun! In this day and age when kids are connected to their video games for hours on end a great backyard ice rink can be a way for everyone to get some much needed exercise and have lots of fun at the same time. It's also a way for kids and adults to connect.
An artificial ice rink can easily be built using synthetic ice that you can use all year round. Artificial ice allows you to skate on it whether it is hot or cold outside and you can place indoors and outdoors just the same. An artificial ice rink can be used for multiple purposes including training to be a hockey player, practicing figure skating movements, and simply exercising and having fun.
There are multiple types of synthetic ice sold on the market, but you want to make sure to purchase the best kind to ensure a long lasting rink for the amount of money you put out. The standard size for many suppliers is made up of 4 by 4 foot panels and for reduced seams you can get 4 by 8 foot panels.
Be sure to do your research to determine what types of artificial ice may have issues over time with buckling and gapping, taking a close look at how the panels fit together can give you a good idea. A high quality artificial ice rink will not buckle or gap and there will not be any liquid needed to get smooth movement on the ice. A well made synthetic ice rink will require no more than 15 percent more effort than real ice which is ideal for training and skating.
Select a power stride or a true lock ice rink where you can easily connect the panels together and take them apart when you don't need to use it. These panels fit easily back together when you need to use it or just want to have some fun. Place the artificial ice rink in your garage, on your patio, or wherever works best for your to practice or train.
Wouldn't it be nice to have your own ice rink in your backyard without having to worry about going to an ice rink to train or practice? With a synthetic ice it's an investment worth making as you can continue to use it throughout the year no matter how hot or cold it is outside. You can place it in the backyard, in your garage, or in the basement. With a quality synthetic ice rink you'll feel like you are skating on real ice with no worries about seams or separation.
Be sure to choose the right type of synthetic ice and keep in mind that some require adding enhancers to allow them to have the glide to feel closer to real ice but there are products out there that don't require any at all. The True Lock Synthetic Ice System is an example of a product that requires no additives and performs very well. When you skate on it you exert only about 15% more energy than on real ice making it a great training surface.
You can have the ice custom made from a standard size of 4 by 4 foot panels or reduce the seams between the panels with 4 by 8 foot panels. Select a synthetic ice that doesn't buckle or gap at any given time. What causes it is a change in temperature as the ice can expand and contract. Avoid any ice that tends to buckle under changes for a longer lasting ice rink that is worth investing your money into. This type of ice will allow you to spend more time training to play hockey or to exercise rather than worrying about the wear and tear of the ice. The best type of synthetic ice will provide a superior fit and last for years and years.
Hockey players, figure skaters, and anyone who lives to have fun on the ice can appreciate the advantages of synthetic ice. Synthetic Ice Solutions has synthetic ice for sale! Leading the industry, Synthetic Ice Solutions is a Canadian manufacturer of man-made ice systems. Their product provides skaters the opportunity to train and play--indoors--all year long.
Fabricated of sheets of polymer material, synthetic ice rinks can be assembled just about anywhere. Synthetic Ice Solutions has synthetic ice for sale. Imagine you or your kids ice skating in the garage, basement or anywhere you like! This is possible, and practical, because synthetic ice rinks require no water or power.
This is both eco-friendly and extremely cost efficient; a no-water rink not only saves on precious water resources, it also saves you money, since no energy is required. Synthetic ice surfaces provide a glide factor of 90% or better, and retain their integrity in all temperatures, indoors or out--that means smooth skating!
Synthetic ice systems are easy to install, and they can be ordered factory direct from Synthetic Ice Solutions. Let their excellent customer service help you make it happen. They have synthetic ice for sale; you and your kids need a place to practice. Figure skaters can work on their routines in warmth and comfort, and hockey players of all ages are going to love taking slap shots in the basement!
Investing in your very own synthetic ice rink can save you not only time but also money in the long run. The ease of maintenance and installation that they offer may come as a surprise to many people. These rinks are geared towards those customers who want all the experiences they deliver without worrying about breaking the bank.
The panels, which are used in the installation of these rinks, are lighter and more portable than many people realize. They are actually light enough that majority of individuals can handle one panel by themselves. Since synthetic ice mimics actual ice, it is not nearly as heavy and much more portable.
By installing one of these rinks, you eliminate the need of having to drive all over town to find your favorite public ice rink. You also eliminate entrance fees that are associated with these rinks. There are no time limits on your very own rink, you can skate on it as long as you would like. There is no need to worry about hours of operation either. With your very own ice rink you can use it whenever you want.
Interlocking panels used in these rinks make installation easier than ever. Installation is so quick and simple that you can be skating on your ice rink in just one day. The synthetic material ensures you can use your rink whenever you want no matter the weather conditions, eliminating any concerns during warmer weather.
These rinks are specifically designed to work well at home. Whether you are wanting a smaller ice hokey rink in your basement or garage, or looking for a larger rink in the back yard, you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for. The ease of cleaning them makes it just as ideal for inside areas as it is for outside areas.
Choosing synthetic ice rinks for your home offers many benefits. Aside from the ease of installation and the low maintenance, you will get hours and hours of entertainment for you, your family and your friends. Choose from a variety of sizes and styles to find the one that best suits your needs. Invest in the future of your home while offering a place to entertain and get away. These rinks are a great addition and a great investment.
Synthetic ice consists of polymer materials that can endure a wide range of wear and tear over the years. Not all synthetic ice rinks are made to perfection however. Some require some additional maintenance including added liquids to provide silicone enhancers for continuous slickness to the ice and others begin to buckle and gap, making it hard for skaters to train and exercise on the artificial ice.
When thinking about getting a synthetic ice rink consider the best out on the market. With advanced materials that provide superior stability and the least amount of wear and tear, you will have the ice longer. You will be able to train easier without having to add liquids and you will not have the concern of buckling with a true lock connection that ensures the panels to connect and fit easily together every time you are ready to use the ice.
Choose artificial ice that requires no more than 15 percent effort than real ice when training or practicing. Make sure that the ice you select requires the minimum amount of maintenance and provides the highest results. It should offer superior fit despite the contraction and expansion that occurs during temperature change. You want to make sure that you can skate easily on synthetic ice rinks without having to put much effort into maintaining the ice.
Adding hockey rink boards to your backyard ice hockey rink will make your experience much more enjoyable. If your rink happens to be natural ice in sub-freezing temperatures then your hockey rink boards will save you from chasing after stray pucks that will often be buried deep in snow banks. If you have an all year round synthetic ice rink then you puck could roll away down the street. Either way, having boards will reduce stray pucks from getting away and allow you to focus on playing the game and not chasing pucks.
Without hockey rink boards, if you don't have someone around without skates on then there is another problem that could arise. What if you have to go onto pavement to get the stray puck, do you take your skates off or do you try to tip toe and risk damaging your skates? Taking your skates off would be so inconvenient, I can't imagine anyone doing that on a regular basis, that means you'll likely venture off the rink with your skates on. If your rink happens to be indoors in the basement or the garage then boards serve another important purpose, protecting your walls, windows and everything else you own.
Wayman Harten is the Owner & President of Synthetic Ice Solutions; Wayman has over 30 years of technical experience in the plastics Industry and is passionate about providing the best artificial ice rinks and rink boards at very affordable prices. Click on one of the links and read more about synthetic ice or see videos about the product. You can also call us at 855-2-ICE SKATE (855 242-3752) or email us at sales@syntheticicesolutions.com.
Climate change has had a significant effect on outdoor rinks in Canada and this is supported by many sources from David Suzuki to studies done by Concordia and McGill Universities. All reports are coming to the same conclusion, there are fewer and fewer days each year with weather that is conducive to skating on outdoor rinks. One study analyzed Canadian weather data from 1951 to 2005 and it concluded that there has been a significant shortening of the outdoor skating season and that it is likely due to global warming.
One of the most iconic outdoor rinks in Canada is the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. The David Suzuki Foundation's report concluded that the canal's skating season is expected to drop from a historic average of 9 weeks to an average of 6.5 weeks by 2020.
Geographers at Wilfred Laurier University even launched a website called rinkwatch.org where people around the country are encouraged to go and simply tell them each day if they can skate on their rink today. They hoped to be able to gather enough data to accurately track how quickly changes are happening.
So what alternatives are there for people that still want outdoor rinks? Adding refrigeration is an option not open to many. It's costly to install and isn't a viable option for a temporary and seasonal backyard rink. The option that many are turning to is synthetic ice. It is simple to set up, costs nothing once the panels are purchased, no refrigeration or water needed. The best part is that it can be used all year round.
How To Keep Your Backyard Ice Rink Into Springtime!
Who knew it was possible, but we are here to tell you how you can keep your backyard ice rink into springtime and beyond. Who knew that you could actually ice skate on your backyard ice rink all year round no matter what the weather? With the right synthetic ice you will be able to practice, train, and have fun for hours whenver you want to. But be careful with the type of synthetic ice you choose as some can buckle or require liquid added, here are a few tips on how to keep your backyard all year round for years and years.
Consider the type of material, the size and the thickness of the panels. Can it withstand superior wear and tear throughout the year and be stable enough to last a long time? These questions should be asked before purchasing the backyard ice rink. How do the panels fit together? will that be stable over the long term or will it show seams and have potential for buckling over the years? Do you have to add any additives to make it glide enough or is the ice high enough quality on it's own? How well can you glide on it, the best synthetic ice only requires up to 15 percent more effort than the average rink. This will make it ideal to practice and exercise on.
Avoid buckling and gapping ice rinks. This occurs when the temperature changes. The synthetic ice will expand and contract, but with the right type of synthetic ice you will not experience an ice rink that buckles or gaps from the weather change. No matter how many times you take the ice apart or connect it, the ice shouldn't cause a problem. You should be able to easily put it back together and use it without having to add liquid. Silicone needs to be added to some fake ice, but there are very few that don't require any liquids added at all which makes these rinks the ideal solution to your backyard ice rink.