Synthetic Ice | Learn More About D1 Synthetic Ice Rinks

Synthetic Ice

D1 Synthetic Ice is MADE IN THE U.S.A.

Backyard Synthetic Ice Rink - Laguna Hills, CA

Fast Synthetic Ice

D1 Glide Infused Pro Self Lubricated Synthetic Ice is the fastest synthetic ice surface available today.

More consumers, municipalities, hockey training facilities and professional hockey players will choose D1 synthetic ice over other available brands.

Great Skating Experience

D1’s artificial ice feels like you are skating on natural ice.  You will develop better hockey starts and stops.  Your strides, cuts and turns will become stronger.

Low Maintenance

D1’s artificial ice is manufactured with our glide solution infused throughout the entire synthetic ice tile.  As a result, there is no need for messy, short-lived surface coatings or lubricants.  Simply install the synthetic ice tiles and begin skating immediately.   

Backyard Synthetic Ice Rink - New Concord, OH

Indoor or Outdoor

Create your hockey rink inside or out.  Tested in extreme heat and cold environments.  D1 artificial ice is UV stabilized to protect against the sun and resistant to impact (chipping) when exposed to cold temperatures.

Largest Supplier

Thousands of customers trust D1 to provide them with a superior hockey rink; including the homes of youth hockey players, commercial training facilities and many NCAA & professional hockey teams.

Selecting the artificial ice tiles that is the best fit for you involves a few factors such as hockey rink size, location, planned use & budget. Our hockey rink designers will recommend the best solution for your hockey rink project.

Combine the D1 synthetic ice tiles with D1 Hockey Boards and make a great hockey rink!

Manufacturer Discounts

We have several programs in place to help our customers save.  For example, families with players part of a youth hockey association (USA Hockey or Hockey Canada. ) may receive a substantial savings. We also have several programs in place to help our commercial customers save!

On this page you will find a wealth of information including:

  • Assembly Instructions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Care & Maintenance
  • Installation Videos
  • Scrolling Gallery of Featured Rinks
Indoor Synthetic Ice Rink - FL

D1 Glide Infused Self-Lubricated Pro Synthetic Ice

Backyard Synthetic Ice RinkCompare the D1 Glide Infused Pro Self Lubricated Synthetic Ice to any other artificial ice product and see for yourself why more and more consumers, municipalities, facilities owners and managers prefer it.

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Backyard Synthetic Ice Rink - Livingston, NJ

D1 Photo Gallery – Basement RinkAdvantages:
* Exceptionally fast surface artificial ice skating surface
* Requires no messy surface coatings or spray-on lubricants
* Resists UV & sub-zero impacts
* Resists staining and moisture

Applications:
* Year round public and private indoor and outdoor hockey rinks
* Practice synthetic ice rinks
* Residential, scholastic and municipal facilities

Configurations:
* Size: 45″ wide x 93″ long
* Thicknesses: 3/8″ and 1/2″
* Color: Ice White
* Finish: Matte on 2 sides
* Skate ready dovetail edges for easy installation and cutting

Independent laboratory tests show that D1 GLIDE INFUSED PRO SELF-LUBRICATED SYNTHETIC ICE outperforms other synthetic ice skating surfaces on both Static and Kinetic Coefficient of Friction (CoF). 

Static CoF indicates resistance to motion from a stopped position and Kinetic CoF indicates resistance once in motion.

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Competition is a Good Thing

There are many great synthetic ice companies to choose from. Why pick D1? hello.

We sell thousands of synthetic ice tiles each year and we have had zero returns. Literally, no returns. From the research we’ve done, we believe we manufacturer and sell more synthetic ice than most of our competitors.

While we sell a lot of artificial ice, we manufacturer and sell even more Hockey Boards. We can provide you with a complete hockey rink solution.

We are fanatical about quality! Each time we produce a batch of synthetic ice tiles, we follow a rigorous test plan to ensure the artificial skating surface meets our ice skating standards.

The same holds true for each hockey rink we ship. We expect each ice rink to arrive unblemished and flawless at it’s destination. Three D1 team members and a shop supervisor carefully pack and inspect each hockey rink before it leaves our workshop in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

We will support your synthetic ice rink installation until the last synthetic ice tile has been laid down or hockey rink board has been installed. We are a very responsive organization. You will receive superior customer support by phone, email and even text!

We may follow-up on your inquiry to make sure your questions have been answered, but we don’t oversell!! Our work product and the thousands of satisfied D1 customers to date speaks for itself.

Indoor Hockey Rink

All D1 Synthetic Ice products are:

  • Stabilized with a UV Inhibitor to protect against the sun
  • Tested and verified to withstand extreme cold or hot temperatures, resulting in durability and long life both indoor or outdoors
  • Features a dovetail pattern for easy “self-locking” and installation
  • Full size panels measure 45″ x 93″ and are available in 3/8″ (60 lbs) or 1/2″ (80 lbs) thicknesses

The following customers buy D1 Synthetic Ice Rinks:

  • Homeowners…to make garage, basement and backyard synthetic ice rinks for year round use
  • Hockey Associations & Arenas…for their dedicated training areas
  • Coaches…for specialized group and individual training
  • Camps & Clinics….for large and small group instruction
  • Park & Rec Centers…for public synthetic ice rinks
  • Fairs & Special Events…for public synthetic ice rinks
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IconAssembly Instructions

  • Preparation
  • Expansion and Contraction
  • Tools
  • Installation
Preparation
Preparation

Your Synthetic Ice rink setup will be much easier with the help of another person.

  • The full size panels 3/8” panels weigh 60 lbs and the 1/2” panels weigh 80 lbs.
  • Two people each carrying an end of one panel is the easiest method for moving the Synthetic Ice panels from place to place. Gloves are also recommended.
Please Note:

There are 4 unique sides to each panel.

For example, the left side of the panel will only connect to the right side of the next panel and the top of the panel will only connect to the bottom of the next panel and so on.

When you lift the Synthetic Ice panels off the pallet, it is important to maintain the same pattern as you carry them to the installation area.

Garage Synthetic Ice Rink - Enterprise, AL
Expansion and Contraction
Tools
Installation
Synthetic Ice FAQ's
What is D1 Synthetic Ice?

In plain terms, D1 Synthetic Ice is a plastic material. The density and rigidity of the Synthetic Ice and its textured surface, when coupled with lubricants infused into the material, creates a surface akin to real ice for skating purposes.

Does D1 Synthetic Ice require a spray?

The D1 Glide Infused Self Lubricated Pro Synthetic Ice is an exceptionally fast and smooth skating surface that is 100% maintenance free.

The glide solution is infused into and throughout the Synthetic Ice panel, which results in great glide properties without the need for additional topical lubricants. And, it is dry to the touch!

What is the difference between D1 Synthetic Ice and Natural Ice?

The sensation of skating on D1 Synthetic Ice is the same as natural ice. The strides, stops, turns, etc. use the same technique. However, skating on Synthetic Ice requires about 10-15% extra effort, which makes it a great tool for training and developing an explosive skating stride.

Will a hockey puck slide the same on D1 Synthetic Ice?

Yes, a hockey puck slides and moves very well across D1 Synthetic Ice. The expected feel of the puck on the stick is about 95% of natural ice.

Can regular skates be used?

Any Synthetic Ice available will dull skates more quickly than natural ice. D1 Synthetic Ice will NOT damage your skates.

What preparation is needed before the Synthetic Ice installation?

A hard, flat surface is required. A cement slab, wood platform, asphalt, patio pavers, crushed rock are each viable sub surfaces on which to directly install D1 Synthetic Ice.

It is recommended the sub surface be oversized by at least 12” (for outdoor rinks) and 3” (for indoor rinks”) on all 4 sides of the rink. This will accommodate any expansion that may occur with the Synthetic Ice, as well as the Board Supports.

Can Synthetic Ice be installed on grass?

No, D1 Synthetic Ice cannot be installed directly on grass. At a minimum, a cement slab or wood platform will need to be built to provide the adequate sub surface above the grass.

It is recommended the sub surface be oversized by at least 12” (for outdoor rinks) and 3” (for indoor rinks”) on all 4 sides of the rink. This will accommodate any expansion that may occur with the Synthetic Ice, as well as the Board Supports.

Will I need any special tools to install a Synthetic Ice rink?

A 4 pound rubber mallet is required to pound the interlocking dovetails together to lock panels into place. If cutting is required, a circular saw will be needed.

Can Synthetic Ice be used in above and below freezing temperatures?

Yes, absolutely. D1 Synthetic Ice may be used year long in the extreme heat and sun of the summer and the bitter cold of the winter.

How often do I need to clean a Synthetic Ice rink?

D1 Synthetic Ice requires very little cleaning. Simply keep the ice free and clear of debris. D1 Synthetic Ice will require cleaning with “green” agents after numerable skating sessions. Cleaning intervals may increase if there is heavy usage.

How often will I need to resurface the Synthetic Ice rink?

D1 Synthetic Ice doesn’t require resurfacing. Should the ice become dirty or full of debris, simply broom sweep the surface and mop it with regular soap and water. A floor scrubber may also be used, but is not required.

Do I need to build a roof over a Synthetic Ice rink if it is outdoors?

No. D1 Synthetic Ice possesses a UV Stabilizer additive, which protects the ice from the sun. Rain water or snow will not affect the performance of the ice. In fact, water helps to clean the ice.

What is the expected lifespan of Synthetic Ice?

D1 Synthetic Ice is expected to last a long time. For extended life, simply flip over the D1 Synthetic Ice panels.

Does Synthetic Ice have a warranty?

D1 offers a 1 Year Warranty on our Synthetic Ice.

Effective May 1, 2018

When is the best time to install a Synthetic Ice rink?

There is no particular time of year better than others for installing a synthetic ice rink.

Is it possible to expand the Synthetic Ice rink at a later date?

Yes, additional panels may be purchased and easily connected with an existing rink system.

IconCare & Maintenance

  • As Needed
  • Deep Clean as Needed
As Needed
As Needed

The following maintenance will be required on an as needed basis:

  • Remove all plastic shavings and debris from the rink.
  • Sweep up and vacuum entire rink surface.  Use of a leaf blower for large facilities will speed up the process.
  • Blow the shavings into one pile and scoop up. Shavings are normal and expected!
Basement Hockey Rink
Deep Clean as Needed
Featured Synthetic Ice Rinks
20' x 40' Synthetic Ice Rink
This 20' x 40' Synthetic Ice Rink is enjoyed year round. It features our 3/8" High Performance Synthetic Ice and Tall (42") Boards on the 20' Ends and our Short (24") Boards along the 40' Sides.

The rink withstands the extreme heat and sun during the day and the cold nights in the Phoenix desert.

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20′ x 40′ Combo Boards Backyard Synthetic Rink
This New Jersey rink also has our Winter Rink Components. The customer floods directly over their synthetic ice and skates on natural ice in the winter months. This is a great option with our Synthetic Ice Rinks & Hockey Boards!
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12′ x 16′ Garage Shooting Lane
This 12' x 16' Basement Rink is used by semi-professional hockey players on the West coast. They opted to install our Combo Board Configuration with our Tall (42") Boards on the 12' End and our Short (24") Boards along the 16' Sides.

Resting the goal flush with the boards gave them some extra rink space as well.
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20′ x 30′ Basement Rink
Featuring our 1/2" High Performance Synthetic Ice, this basement rink also dons our Tall (42") Hockey Rink Boards with 4 Rounded Corners and 1 Gate. Many of the Boards were mounted to the walls where possible. Otherwise, the D1 Anchor Plates were used to securely fasten the Boards to the cement slab.
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28′ x 32′ Synthetic Rink Mix of Tall/Short Boards Installed on Wood Deck
Sitting atop a wood platform, this 28' x 32' Synthetic Ice Rink features our 3/8" Synthetic Ice and 3-sides of our Tall (42") Hockey Rink Boards. The End closest to the home features our Short (24") Boards, which helps open-up sight lines into the rink to provide for a more attractive setting.
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20′ x 40′ Backyard Rink
20' x 40' Synthetic Ice Rink is used year round by elite youth hockey players, along with the friends, teammates and neighbors! This Synthetic Ice Rink features our Tall (42") Hockey Rink Boards with 4 Rounded Corners and 1 Gate. The goals have been designed to sit flush against the boards to maximize the playing surface.
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20' x 40' Synthetic Ice Rink
This is a 20' x 40' Synthetic Ice Rink. It features our 3/8" D1 High Performance Synthetic Ice along with our Tall (42") Boards including 4 Rounded Corners and 1 Gate.
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14′ x 24′ Garage Shooting Lane
We made 2 custom Gates for this garage rink in Denver, CO. This allowed the customer to maximize the full width of the garage stall space, while also allowing them access from one end of the rink to the other.
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12′ x 20′ Basement Rink
This basement rink required a few custom boards that we made at no charge. The customer purchased the WHITE dasher material from us and installed it above the boards to protect the walls and also give the room a finished hockey look and feel.
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Videos

D1 Rink Kit
D1 Synthetic Ice POWER TILES
D1 Synthetic Ice Featured at Minnesota State Fair
Installation – So Easy an 8-Year Old Can Do It!
Skating Kids
Garage Skating Rink
Skating Hard on D1 Ice – Get Your Butt Down!
Quick Hockey Feet