How It Works
Synthetic Ice Rinks
Synthetic ice rinks are made of a plastic polymer. Many look at is a a giant cutting board as it resembles a plastic cutting board in feel to the touch. The difference is the polymers that are within the material. The sheets come in many different thicknesses for sale from us (3/8 , 1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch thick), we use the 1/2 inch thick for rental use. The chemical composition is confidential, however the easy way to explain how it works is as follows.
The rink is laid out and hammered together much like a giant jigsaw puzzle. After installing the railings and skate change area we will apply a non-toxic, non-staining “glide enhancer” to the surface. This glide enhancer is not silicone or toxic glycol like many competitors use. We use a food grade product that is safe to handle and safe for the environment.
After installation and application of the glide enhancer the skate does all the work. When the skate interacts with the surface the friction creates heat that releases the oils and lubricants within the synthetic panel along with the glide enhancer on the top creates a skating experience that resembles real ice. Synthetic ice is slightly slower than real ice as you skate on it, however our product is the closest resemblance to real ice you can find on the market!
Synthetic ice requires a hard, flat mostly level surface to install upon. Can be installed on asphalt, concrete, tile and in ballrooms on carpet (we place a protective plastic to protect the carpet underneath). It cannot be installed on any non-flat, grassy or sand areas.
Real Ice Rinks
To install real ice rinks for portable rental application, we use the same concept as your local ice arena would use to make their ice. We can install real ice anywhere in any climate with the appropriate refrigeration system.
Like with synthetic rinks, real ice needs to be installed on a flat, level surface. Not required to be a hard surface as the ice supports the weight of the skaters and maintenance equipment. If you don’t have a flat and level surface there are many options to make the area flat and level. These include a staging platform or a sandbox.
Once we unload all the equipment we install an insulation barrier and then a vapor barrier. On top of the vapor barrier we install the ice cooling mats. These are large series of tubes that run back and forth under the ice that distributes the cooling liquid under the ice to keep the ice frozen. Once these cooling mats are installed, the railings are next, followed by connection of the cooling mats to the chiller. The chiller cools the fluid that runs through the cooling mats to freeze the ice. Once that is complete and all systems are filled with appropriate coolant, the chiller is turned on and we start laying ice!
After about 2-3 inches of ice is built we are ready to skate!