SYNTHETIC ICE REVIEW
“SmartRink wins hands down… it is much FASTER and easier to clean and maintain with very little residual material”
SYNTHETIC ICE REVIEW
“My son went from one of the lowest rated players in hockey to making the PeeWee A1 team this year!”
SYNTHETIC ICE REVIEW
“SmartRink was a great option for our corporate event. Between getting equipment, shipping, onsite help and the overall look of the ice, everything went off without a hitch and looked fantastic.”
See Synthetic Ice Rinks by SmartRink™ in Action
From community arenas to backyard rinks and professional training centers, SmartRink™ delivers synthetic ice that performs. Explore real projects and discover how our clients are skating, training, and playing year-round on surfaces built to last.
Why you’ll love using SmartRink technology
Synthetic Ice Rinks by SmartRink™
Why is SmartRink synthetic ice the best in the world? Our uncompromising attention to quality material and patented connection systems. With more than 40 years of experience behind our products, we strive to ensure your product experience is what you expect and deserve.
40%
Longer glide
compared to some competitor synthetic ice rinks
183%
Less friction
compared to some competitor synthetic ice rinks
1000’s
of Hockey Parents
Have already discovered the SmartRink “secret weapon”
Synthetic Ice FAQ:
We want you to be an informed client. We hope these frequently asked questions will arm you with some product insight.
The cost of synthetic ice is a function of the raw material quality and the machining of the sheet and complexity of the connection system. Prices can vary widely ranging from $7 per square foot to $23 per square foot. There are many grades of raw material, from very fine resins to regrinds or recycled material. The very fine higher molecular weight resins are more expensive. Period. Pressing methods are also a factor. Sinter pressed material tends to be the highest grade material used for synthetic ice. Extruded sheet material tends to be lower grades and is made more quickly. Higher grade raw material needs to be sinter pressed and is it not possible to use extrusion. Understanding these cost input differences is important in knowing how to compare synthetic ice products. All SmartRink products use a fine very high molecular weight resin and are all sinter pressed.
Normal ice hockey skates or figure skates work fine on synthetic ice. No need to purchase any additional equipment.
You are probably wondering what it feels like to skate on synthetic ice? The quick answer is that no synthetic ice panel perfectly replicates real ice. There are some panels where the experience is excellent but most fall well short of their marketing claims. If the user is a strong skater, they will find the better products easy to skate on. Weaker skaters will notice the increased resistance on all products but this is will really be highlighted with lower quality synthetic ice products. The best products skate the best. There is nothing that can’t be duplicated on synthetic ice as with real ice – using a high quality panel.
Actually it’s quite easy – but it does have to be maintained – just like any flooring product does. Typically that means vacuuming and washing the surface. Usually plain warm water and some elbow grease will work fine. Anything from a wet mop to a stiff brush will work depending on how dirty the surface it. Larger surfaces typically use a commercial floor scrubber. Also some products suggest using a glide solution to enhance the skating experience. That needs to be applied regularly. Each manufacturer will be able to provide instructions on that. SmartRink products are infused with a dry and wet glide enhancer and nothing else is required to spray on making it very easy.
Commercial synthetic ice is a heavier duty product that is perfect for community rinks and hockey training centers. SmartRink has multiple products that are truly worthy of the designation “commercial synthetic ice”. By heavy duty we are referring to both the panel thickness and also the connection system. With the thicker panels we are able to machine a more complex connection system that will ensure panels stay together through hot or cold environments as the material will expand and contract significantly and the connection system needs to be able to handle those variables.