Have you ever been to a gym, dance studio, or indoor court and noticed the floors covered with an interesting material? 

What you’re seeing is sports flooring, which has a dual purpose.

It protects the floor beneath from damage while being an ideal surface for the sport of choice. 

Typical examples include the vinyl or wood flooring you see on basketball courts, or the PVC flooring for volleyball, handball, and everything in between. 

Sports flooring options aren’t limited to summer activities.

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POLYGLIDE ICE: THE ULTIMATE SPORT FLOORING SOLUTION TO YEAR-ROUND SKATING

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Ice sports like figure skating or hockey can benefit too. 

Synthetic ice sports flooring unlocks new possibilities for sports complex owners, entertainment spaces, and skating enthusiasts alike.  

A New Way to Ice Skate This Winter

You can’t ice skate on any surface. 

The sharp blades attached to ice skates cut through the ice and moisture, allowing skaters to glide along with ease.

That’s why ice skating primarily occurs on outdoor rinks or refrigerated rinks. 

Synthetic ice brings a third, innovative option for ice skating this winter.

It’s an interlocking flooring made of a special infused polyethylene plastic.

The white, glossy finish imitates the look of a standard indoor ice rink. 

This material is infused with a liquid agent (or you may need to apply it yourself), allowing ice skate blades to move smoothly across the surface. 

Synthetic ice comes in different sizes and thicknesses (tiles vs. panels) which plays a role in performance and sustainability. 

Naturally, ice skating increases significantly during the winter, but finding ice rinks can be a challenge.

Synthetic ice helps to meet this demand.

Whether you’re in charge of a commercial space or want to skate at home.

 

Advantages of Synthetic Ice for Sports Flooring

Choosing synthetic ice as a form of sports flooring sounds like you’re boxing yourself into ice sports only, but it’s far from the truth. 

Synthetic ice tiles are versatile and capable of facilitating figure skating, ice hockey, and recreational skating.

But it’s also usable throughout the year for rollerskating, sock skating, volleyball, fitness training, community events, and much more. 

The tiles allow you to adjust the size and shape of the rink for efficient use of your available space. 

Synthetic ice rinks make winter sports more accessible.

Setting up a conventional ice rink can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

A synthetic ice rink is significantly cheaper. 

A commercial space can bring an immediate return on investment, while starter kits can be used at home for practice or fun with your family. 

As there are new machines, rods, water, or coolant, maintenance is a breeze.

The synthetic ice tiles are made of a durable material usable on both sides.

It’s a safe, adaptable option lasting over 10 years. 

Performance Factors with Sports Flooring

Worried about skating on a synthetic surface?

That’s understandable, but synthetic ice works on similar principles to natural ice.

The heat generated by the blades as they slide over the surface releases the lubricants, mimicking the same concept over natural ice.

Therefore, you get a similar experience to natural ice. 

In fact, all the same ice skating maneuvers that can be performed on natural ice can also be achieved on an artficial ice surface.

High quality panels have a lower coefficient of friction, with technology creating a glide factor of at least 90% comparable to natural ice. 

As you add liquid surface enhancements and continue to use the surface, synthetic ice gets better, conducive to skating with time while minimizing damage to your skates. 

Comparing Alternatives to Synthetic Ice

It’s fun to skate on a natural ice surface, but if you’re looking for alternatives synthetic ice is not the only sports flooring option. 

Dryland flooring is another popular option for roller or inline skating.

This is a cost-effective alternative used for hockey training, ice sports, and other recreational activities. 

Dryland flooring is made of a lower-quality plastic or rubber.

These tiles are more suited for practice that does not involve ice skates.

Rubber mats are another versatile sports flooring option.

Indoor facilities and commercial spaces prefer these mats for the ease of installation and durability.

They are also low-cost and versatile, appropriate for multiple exercises indoors and outdoors. 

At the same time, this is not a surface for ice skating.

If you want to lace up your ice skates and give it a go, prepare to be disappointed. 

FEATURE	SYNTHETIC ICE	DRYLAND FLOORING	RUBBER MATS
Realistic Skating Feel	Yes	Limited	No
Indoor/Outdoor Use	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maintenance	Low	Moderate	Low
Cost	Moderate	Low	Moderate

Installing Your Synthetic Ice

Ease of installation makes this sports flooring option convenient for commercial and personal use. 

The technology behind synthetic ice has made it available for home and commercial use. 

The interlocking mechanisms at the edges make it connect seamlessly.

Enlisting 1-2 capable individuals, a commercial synthetic ice rink can take a few hours to install.

Make sure to measure your space so you can purchase the appropriate number of tiles, which minimizes cost. 

Smaller, at-home rinks can be set up within 30-45 minutes depending on the side and location. 

Once you measure the surface and place a subfloor, you can place and connect your tiles, using a rubber mallet to secure the panels and ensure a smooth finish.

Finish your rink with dasher boards, walls, or other functional additions. 

Home rinks with tiles can be set up without help.

Panels can be heavier, so grab some help.

Place them on a flat surface, connect the edges, and start skating! 

A Beautiful Winter Skating with Synthetic Ice

Ice skating during the winter adds that feeling of nostalgia.

For some, it’s necessary to improve their skills, compete in ice sports, or continue a beloved hobby.

Thanks to synthetic ice, ice skating is becoming more accessible.

It’s a multi-use sports flooring option you can use even when the ice melts. 

Continue with ice skating or switch to another sport without affecting the surface’s integrity. 

They’re an effective alternative to dryland flooring, PVC, rubber, or plastic. 

As it’s growing in popularity, you can find synthetic ice flooring in a host of commercial spaces, sports complexes, and rinks.

Or you can create your own slice of skating heaven at home.

For your ice skating needs - large or small - let our team and our unique, patented synthetic ice transform your skating experience. 

Conclusion

The pursuit of year-round ice skating has led to significant advancements in sports flooring options, catering to enthusiasts and athletes alike who seek to enjoy their favorite activity regardless of the season.

From synthetic ice panels to refrigerated ice rinks, the range of available products ensures that there is a solution for every need and budget.

Synthetic ice, with its low maintenance and easy installation, stands out as a particularly attractive option for both home use and commercial training facilities.

It offers a near-authentic skating experience that is both accessible and environmentally friendly.

For those considering a more traditional approach, refrigerated ice rinks, although more costly and complex to maintain, provide the unparalleled feel of real ice.

Each option presents its own set of benefits, tailored to different settings and usage frequencies.

By carefully considering factors such as cost, space, and personal or commercial needs, enthusiasts can select the best sports flooring to keep the ice skating fun going all year long.

With these innovative solutions, ice skating is no longer confined to winter months but is a feasible and enjoyable activity for any season.