Being able to create an effective ice skating rink where you live is very possible with synthetic ice. Throughout the pandemic when people were stuck at home with nowhere to go skating at, millions of people chose to build their own rinks. They built them in their garages, in their living rooms, in their backwardeverywhere else they could build them. One of the greatest things about this kind of flooring is that it is lightweight, easy to install,extremely durable. But, can you build an ice rink outdoors? Let’s take a look:
What is Synthetic Ice?
Early on in the 1960s a group of developers got togethercreated a type of plastic that was thought to be able to mimic the way that ice behaved when ice skates would glide across it. The first attempts at creating synthetic ice panels were a bit challenging. The panels were interlocking panels kind of like the ones that are available today, but in order to be able to skate on them, there had to be a constant supply of lubricant applied to the surface in order for the skates to slide correctly.
As time progressedscience began to reveal secrets about the way moleculesatoms worked, developers began to see a new understanding of plasticthe way that it could be manipulated.
It wasn’t long before polymer plastics came into the picturehelped to form the type of ice panels that we are familiar with today. Thanks to some ingenious thinkersthe advancement of technology we are now able to build synthetic ice rinks in our own homes.
Why Polymer Makes a Difference
Polymers are not new. In fact, they have been around for a long time. A polymer is a chain of large molecules that bond together in a specific sequence. A great example of polymers is the DNA chains that humansanimals are made out of.
Developers were able to create high-density synthetic polymer plastic from a molecular levelbond it with different types of agents that will allow it to be durablehigh quality. They can also infuse lubricating agents into the flooring itselfallow the panels to be self-lubricating. Another agent that they can introduce into the mix is compounds that block the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun from penetrating the surface of the flooring.
Synthetic Ice Panels Outdoors
On top of the polymer plastic that has been infused with agents that will protect surfaces from ultraviolet rays, many of the companies that manufacture their ice panels will coat the surface with some kind of protectant that will keep the plastic from being ruined by the sun’s rays. High-quality synthetic ice panels will last for a very long time in any weather condition on the planet whether it is hot outsidein the sun, or freezing below zero temperatures.
So, Does it Work?
The answer to the original question is an absolute yes. Synthetic ice panels will work outdoors. It will also work indoors. The great thing about it is that it does not have to be frozen or kept in any manner of conditions. All you have to do is keep it moderately clean,USE it!
***Sniper’s Edge Hockey loves Canada! We proudly ship all of our products to Canadaoffer the same return policies as we do for everybody else. We realize the exchange rates for the Canadian dollar are not the best right now, so we’re trying to help by giving you free shippingno customs/duty.***
