Synthetic Ice Tiles : Portable Rink in a Box for 2024

Posted by Jim Loughran · January 20, 2022

Throughout the winter season, millions of Americans think about dusting off their skates to have some ice skating fun.

Yes, it's freezing cold at times, but it's an opportunity to figure skate, ice skate, play hockey, or your favorite ice games.

Over the years, a new skater emerged from the hoards of ice skating enthusiasts and professionals.

This new skater wants convenience and affordability while having a positive impact on the planet.

The result has been the development of portable synthetic ice skating tiles.

You can now get your very own synthetic ice rink in a box.

A synthetic ice rink in a box is a set of tiles or panels set together to form a large or small rink.

You'll use your actual metal blades for hockey, figure skating, or recreational skating.

Synthetic ice is excellent for people who don't have access to natural ice or wish to have a personal or commercial rink at a significantly cheaper cost.

We've developed our tiles using the latest in synthetic ice technology that offers optimal glide and performance.

You'll be set up and ready to skate on these lightweight, reversible tiles in a just a few minutes.

ice rink in a box

Here's What Your Ice Rink In A Box Will Look Like

When you order your synthetic ice, you'll be excited to get started.

Your delivered package is literally a rink in a box.

Each Starter Kit Box comes with four panels covering 32 square feet, and each panel weighs about 10 lbs.

You'll be surprised at how accessible and easy it is to set up your ice rink-in-a-box will be.

However, before you 'add to cart,' you should know a few things so you can get the most out of your experience.

1. It's Close To The Real Thing.

Why should I want to skate on synthetic ice?

Many potential customers have this thought when thinking about an at-home or commercial rink.

In the past, if you wanted an ice rink, you would need lots of water, materials for the rink walls, and cold weather (aka the First Freeze).

If that were not an option, you would opt for the very expensive refrigerated ice rink.

Today, it's more accessible thanks to synthetic ice products.

Synthetic products did not just stand still since their inception.

The technology and materials used to make these tiles as close to the real thing as possible.

A difference would be the degree of friction you'll get that's almost non-existed with natural ice.

However, technology has evolved to make it as close to the real thing as possible.

With the best products on the market, the friction is just about 10%.

Forgoing 10% friction for a convenient, durable skating option sounds like a no-brainer.

Rink Usage

2. You Should Know What You're Using It For

With a synthetic ice rink, the skating possibilities are almost endless.

If you have a clear idea of the purpose of your rink, you'll be able to work out other factors we'll mention soon.

Here are some common reasons you'd want your synthetic ice rink in a box:

You want to start or restart a recreational skating hobby.
In a house of skating kids, you need practice space.
You're an ice hockey athlete who needs to work on specific skills.
You're a figure skater that needs a space to practice or train others.
You want a large rink for your business or community without the hassle and expense of refrigerated ice.

Whatever the reason, getting clear on why you need it means you'll get maximum enjoyment from your rink.

Grage Rink

3. You Should Know Where To Set It Up.

Where do you plan to install your synthetic ice rink?

Before getting your ice rink in a box, you should have an idea of where you'll set it up.

What would be disappointing is if the area is not available, has multiple uses, or is not structurally sound for your rink.

You'd want your rink on a flat, hard surface like a spare room, den, garage, or playroom.

An uneven ground leads to a poor skating experience.

Make sure to check that the sub-flooring is flat with no large dips or offests in elevation.

If it isn't, you'd need to invest in some Birch or OSB (Advantech) plywood to act as the base for your synthetic ice.

If your looking for a permanent, outdoor rink, our larger Pro-Glide panels are an ideal option and durable enough to face any weather.

Wherever the set-up, make sure to protect it from heavy foot traffic as it will only make your surface harder to keep clean.

Knowing where you want to set up will also determine if you're going to purchase tiles or panels, which we will cover later.

Measurements

4. You Should Know Your Measurements.

Just as important as the location is a measure of the area.

A simple tape measure is enough for you to determine if your ice rink in the box can fit in the designated space.

If you're taking up the corner of a room, garage, or just a part of your living room space

simply multiply your length X width and divide by 32 to determine how many boxes you may need

(Example: 12ft long by 8ft wide = 96 SF / 96 divided by 32 = 3 Boxes).

However, if you want a larger rink, you'll realize that you need more than one ice rink-in-a-box.

For instance if you have a large backyard or commercial space in which you want to place a more prominent rink you may want to opt for our larger Premium grade Pro-Glide panels.

5. You're Not Limited To An Ice Rink-In-A-Box

This article is about getting your first ice rink-in-a-box, but that might not be enough in some cases.

For rinks that will experience heavy use or for commercial use, you'll need a heavy-duty product. You can choose from our panels that are heavier, thicker, and more durable.

Each weighs about 80 pounds for the full size and covers about 30 square feet. Some panels are half the weight and square footage.

With just a few full-sized panels, you can create your dream rink, perform indoor skating classes at a studio, or add to your business to increase foot traffic.

Please note that the budget is significantly higher than a rink-in-a-box and will require freight shipping to your location.

Slip Surface Conditioner

6. You May Consider A Surface Conditioner.

Buying synthetic ice tiles does not mean you can set them and forget them.

These tiles will need maintenance to continue performing at a high level.

Over time, especially with heavy use, the tiles can accumulate dust and dirt from foot traffic.

To keep this from happening, you'll need to clean and recondition your tiles or panels.

Think of it as resurfacing your ice rink with hot water.

Get some Slip Surface Conditioner to apply on a clean surface occasionally along with a PH neutral soap.

How often you'll need to apply the conditioner depends on how often you use the rink.

If the skating experience starts to decline, then you'll know it's time to reconditione the surface.

The conditioner is easily accessible and made with bio-degradable, non-toxic ingredients.

7. There Are Other Helpful Accessories To Consider.

To get a finished rink appearance, consider including some practical accessories.

For instance, you can add our new perimeter BounceBar (Rebounding Dasher Curb) for hockey players to help keep the puck from straying off the surface.

Other accessories to keep in mind include our "Slip Peel & Stick Tape" to keep your surface from sliding along with other training aids.

Budget and Plan

8. Budget For Shipping And Taxes.

A common mistake is failing to account for shipping costs, shipping timeframe, and taxes.

The sales taxes vary by state, so you should keep that in mind when getting your ice rink in a box.

Also, if you're opting for our Larger Pro-Glide panels, understand these panels are shipped on a pallet and would require freight shipping.

9. It's Built To Last.

Are you worried if you'll need to replace the tiles soon?

That's a common concern when purchasing your first tiles or panels.

However, the technology behind rinks has evolved to improve the durability of these tiles.

On average, tiles can last ten years, even with heavy use. In addition, most come with a 5-year warranty, which speaks to the quality of the tiles.

That being said, you can expect your synthetic ice to serve you well for many years.

10. You'll Have Lots Of Fun.

It won't hurt to take some time to think about how much fun you'll have on your rink.

To this day, we still have lots of fun setting up and skating on our rinks, and we know you will too. So invite neighbors, family members, and teammates to your space.

And if you're looking at this from a commercial perspective, your customers will appreciate that you took the time to add this fantastic winter pastime.

Simple SKate