Can Synthetic Ice be Left Outside?

Synthetic ice is a fantastic way to build an ice skating platform in a place that does not require refrigeration and constant maintenance. In fact, many hockey players that are stuck inside because of the pandemic are turning towards ice panels because they are lightweight and can be easily installed almost anywhere. Avid ice skaters of all types can skate and stay in shape from the comfort of their own homes thanks to the revolutionary advancement of modern-day artificial ice.

But is it Worth it?

The Pros of Synthetic Ice

Although in the early development of synthetic ice there were a lot of problems, technology and science have come a long way in the evolution of everything. At first, when people skated on the early version of artificial ice, a lubricant had to be added to the flooring constantly in order to allow skaters to glide across the surface. Even with the lubricant, the feel and the drag of the flooring were not so much like ice.

The synthetic ice of today is lightweight and harbors its own lubricating system that releases lubricants as skaters move across the surface, much like real ice. It is easy to install and does not need to be kept frozen by cumbersome, costly machines. The hockey puck slides across the surface just like it does on the ice rink, and the blade of the stick handles like a dream when handled. Even better, the modern-day synthetic ice can withstand weather cold or hot.

Outdoor Synthetic Ice Rinks

Whether or not synthetic ice can be left outside all depends on the quality of the product. Sniper’s Edge Hockey synthetic ice is made out of a proprietary UV coating that can handle the outdoor elements from the most extreme places in the United States. Including MN, MA, AZ, FL, and even Calfornia. What this means is that whether it is cold and snowing, or hot and scorching the synthetic ice panels can handle the abuse and continue to be a great place to ice skate on.

The Quality Counts

Not all synthetic ice is created equally. When it comes time to make a decision on where to get your flooring, make sure that you look for the key factors that will determine whether or not your investment will be a good one. Make sure that your product is:

• Self-lubricating
• Has UV protection
• Is made of durable polymer
• Has interlocking tabs
• Has a warranty
• Has a good reputation

It is tempting to go for a cheaper price so that it seems like you are saving money but look at your purchase as a long-term commitment to yourself. If you have to replace your panels every six months, you are only throwing money down the drain. If you get synthetic ice that lasts upwards of 20 years, you are saving a lot of money in the long run.

Synthetic Ice vs. Real Ice

Although synthetic ice is made out of a polymer plastic that is manufactured in a factory somewhere, it is not as bad for the environment as maintaining a real ice rink. Yes, ice does form naturally in places where the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but if the temp is any higher than freezing, the ice will melt. In order to keep a fully functional ice rink cooled during the summer months of a warm climate, a refrigerator would have to run 24 hours a day 7 days a week at max power. If there are millions of ice rinks around the US alone, how much power is being used to keep them going? As for a synthetic ice rink, you simply install the flooring and skate all year round without the cumbersome maintenance that ice rinks need.

Conclusion

Whether you prefer to do your ice skating indoors or outdoors synthetic ice is definitely a great solution for anybody that has a little room to install the panels. As long as you have a hard, flat surface to put the panels on, you will have a solid flooring to ice skate on for practice, or playing real games. So, yes you can install synthetic ice and leave it outside, but make sure that the product is of high quality, and comes from a reputable manufacturer.