Backyard Synthetic Ice Skating Rinks- Transforming Homes Into Winter Wonderlands
Backyard synthetic ice skating rinks allow families to get active outside during the winter. They can be installed in basements, garages, backyards, or decks. The best rink builders offer warranty and certifications on their products and provide customer service to answer any questions after installation. They also offer an easy way to store the rink when not in use.
One and Done
Whether you’re a professional figure skater honing your skills or simply a family that enjoys skating, a premium synthetic ice backyard rink allows you to enjoy this sport year-round. It’s an eco-friendly alternative to natural ice rinks that eliminates energy and water expenses and requires no refrigeration. Synthetic ice rinks are also easy to install. They are shipped flat to your home and snap together with tabs on the edges. This means you can transform your yard in less than a few hours. The skating rink suits various activities such as ice hockey, figure skating, curling, and even skating parties. It’s the perfect opportunity to engage your family and friends in a fun activity while strengthening relationships and creating memories. It’s also a great way to improve physical fitness, offering an intense workout that strengthens endurance and balance. Skating also enhances your motor skills, which helps you develop better agility and control. This is essential for anyone wanting to excel in sports and activities.
Easy to Maintain
Unlike DIY traditional and refrigerated rinks, which are limited to winter weather, synthetic ice is an all-year-round option. Rink kits are easy to set up and can be used anywhere with a flat surface. You can even add professional dasher boards for the ultimate authenticity! The best part is that when you’re ready to pack it away, the rink disassembles easily and can be stored in a garage, shed, or basement. Once the surface is set up, you can skate within a day, so long as the weather is cold enough and it doesn’t rain (that will leave a crust). Rink maintenance is simple, too. You broom off the snow and re-flood the surface when necessary. And it doesn’t require a refrigerating chamber so you can save on energy costs.
Easy to Assemble
Backyard rinks make it easy for hockey players to get in some quality practice even when they can’t get to the local ice rink. The kits come with a liner, boards, bracings, and a tarp to keep water from leaving a crust on the ground. They are also easily expandable and allow you to customize the size of your rink. You can also add on things like professional dasher boards and goaltending goals for more practice opportunities. Building a backyard rink without a liner is still possible, but it’s more work and more complex on your back. It also requires freezing weather and a lot of patience as you wait for the ice to form. Synthetic rinks, however, can be set up before the ground freezes, and they are easier to maintain. During the warmer months, you can broom off snow and use a pressure cleaner to treat rain that has iced over. They don’t consume as much energy or water as refrigerated rinks, making them more sustainable. This makes them a more affordable option for families with limited space.
Long-Lasting
Synthetic ice rinks don’t require water, power, coolants, or Zambonis. This saves you money in the long run and eliminates maintenance costs. The best synthetic ice manufacturers use one of two processes to create the skating surface: extrusion or sintering. The sintering process allows for the distribution of lubricants throughout the polymer, resulting in a superior glide to natural ice. On the other hand, the extrusion method only scratches the surface of the ice. Skates then glide over the marked area, leaving little hairline scratches on the surface of the ice, similar to a plastic cutting board. These hairline scratches are known as drag, resulting in slow skate speed and less control. Choosing the right product is critical for the performance of your backyard rink.
Safe
Traditional ice rinks require cold temperatures and massive amounts of energy to maintain indoors, which makes them one of the most extensive energy-consuming facilities in any community. A custom-built synthetic rink is an environmentally friendly alternative, operating at a fraction of the cost and requiring minimal energy consumption during use. While falls are a potential risk on any skating surface, proper skater technique and the correct use of protective equipment can significantly reduce injury rates. Rink owners can also help mitigate accidents by regularly inspecting the synthetic ice for signs of wear and damage. Most premium synthetic ice products offer an optimal balance of grip and glide and are self-lubricating, reducing the frequency of blade sharpening. They’re also designed to create much less plastic shavings than conventional ice. In addition to providing a high-quality skating surface, these types of synthetic rinks also require minimal maintenance and can be used year-round. This flexibility is attractive for businesses that need to operate outside of the winter season.