How is Synthetic Ice Installed?

As the demand for synthetic ice begins to skyrocket, many people are wanting to know how to install it in their homes, or other places. The truth is that you don’t have to go out and hire a professional to do it unless you want to. Synthetic ice is easy to put together and install once you have the place to put it figured out. Location is key and in order for it to work, you have to be sure that it is in an appropriate space.

1. Map out your location
2. Measure out your area
3. Purchase the amount of synthetic ice that works
4. Place the panels on the floor
5. Snap them together by the tabs
6. Tap down the edges with a rubber mallet

Map Out Your Location

You need to identify the space where you want to implement your synthetic ice. Make sure that it is a flat, sturdy surface that is level and strong enough to withstand ice skating. If you want to put your ice panels somewhere that is carpeted, or on grass, you will have to put down some plywood and make the surface solid enough to accommodate the panels. If you try to install them onto a soft place you will cause damage to the flooring and possibly yourself.

Measure Out Your Area

Synthetic ice typically comes in panels or tiles. Some of them are sold in 1 foot by 1-foot squares, and others are panels that are larger and measure out to be 2 feet by 4 feet. When have your location take a tape measure and find the square feet of the area. This is simple to do, just multiply the width of the area by the length of the area. If you have an area that is not in solid feet, measure it in inches then divide your total inches by 12 twice to figure the square feet. Once you have your footage figured out you can buy your boxes of panels.

Place the Panels on the Floor

Assuming that you have purchased your proper amount of panels, and have made sure that you are placing them on a hard, flat surface it is time to place the panels on the foundation. The best way to install panels is to use a concrete platform such as the garage floor, or a patio. If you have another place that is housed on top of plywood, it is great too. The main thing is that you place the tiles on the floor and make sure that they are tightly joined together. Start in the middle of the flooring area and work your way out so that you don’t have to redo the whole thing when you come to a hole in the middle of the flooring that you can’t fit a tile into. Lay one panel down, then get the next one and carefully insert the tabs from one side of one panel into the next side of the other panel. Place the joined panels flat on the ground and push them snugly together. Repeat this process with all of the remaining space on your flooring area until it is complete.

Tap The Edges Down

Once all of your tiles are down and your flooring area is covered go back over the flooring area with a rubber mallet. Look for raised areas in the joints of the panels. Make sure that they are smooth and that there are no places where your skates could snag and cause you to wreck your face on the ground. If you see areas that are raised and not flush, gently tap down the joints with the rubber mallet until they snap into place without any seams.

Enjoy Your Rink

After you make sure that the flooring is safe and in good shape, put those skates on and go for a spin. It doesn’t take a lot of work, or a bunch of remodeling to install synthetic ice. Get yourself a shooting tarp and a hockey passer then start practicingh and perfecting your hockey skills right away.