Synthetic Ice for Hockey Training At Home | D1 Backyard Rinks

Synthetic Ice

D1 Synthetic Ice

Synthetic ice offers homeowners and organizations in any climate a year-round way to lace up the skates and take to the rink – regardless of space or environment. D1 Glide Infused Pro Self Lubricated Synthetic Ice is the fastest and most realistic surface available today, with more homeowners, municipalities, hockey training facilities, and professional hockey players choosing it than any other brand.

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Specifications for each individual synthetic ice sheet:

  • Size: 45″ wide x 93″ long
  • Thicknesses: 3/8″ 
  • Color: Ice White
  • Finish: Matte on two sides
  • Skate-ready dovetail edges for easy installation and cutting
D1 Synthetic Ice Features:
  • Realistic Skating Experience – D1’s artificial ice makes it feel like you are skating on natural ice, while its slightly increased resistance helps develop stronger hockey starts and stops, strides, cuts, and turns.
  • Low Maintenance – D1’s artificial ice is manufactured with our glide solution infused throughout the entire synthetic ice tile, eliminating the need for messy, short-lived surface coatings or lubricants. Simply install the synthetic ice tiles and start skating.
  • Indoor or Outdoor – Tested in both extreme heat and freezing cold environments, D1’s artificial ice is UV-stabilized to protect against the sun and is resistant to impact (chipping) when exposed to cold temperatures.
  • Laboratory-Tested – Independent laboratory tests show our ice outperforms other synthetic ice surfaces in terms of both static and kinetic coefficient of friction (CoF). The expected feel of a puck on a hockey stick on our ice is about 95% that of natural ice.

Manufacturer Discounts

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

Backyard Synthetic Ice Rink - Laguna Hills, CA

 

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

Selecting the artificial ice tiles best for you involves a few different factors, such as hockey rink size, location, planned use, and budget. Our hockey rink designers are here to work with you and to recommend the best solution for your specific hockey rink project.

Backyard Synthetic Ice Rink - New Concord, OH

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Why D1?

There are many manufacturers to choose from. Why pick D1?

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

While we sell a lot of artificial ice, we manufacture and sell even more hockey boards, allowing us to provide our customers in any environment with a complete hockey rink solution, regardless of your specifications or needs.

We are also fanatical about quality! Every 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 synthetic ice rink to arrive unblemished and flawless at its 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 rink installation until the last tile has been laid down or hockey rink board has been installed. We are a very responsive organization, here to provide 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! We feel our product and the thousands of satisfied D1 customers to date speak for themselves.

Indoor Hockey Rink

The following customers buy D1 Synthetic Ice Rinks:

  • Homeowners…to make garage, basement, and backyard 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 rinks
  • Fairs & Special Events…for public rinks
Build a Custom Backyard Ice Rink
Request your FREE instant price quote today!

Create a custom rink with D1 Backyard Rinks! Indoor, outdoor, permanent or seasonal, our home ice rinks are tailored perfectly to you! Explore our synthetic ice and hockey board options to fit your space perfectly.

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IconAssembly Instructions

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

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

  • The full-size 3/8” panels weigh 60 lbs. 
  • Two people each carrying an end of one panel is the easiest method for moving the synthetic ice tiles from place to place. Gloves are also recommended.
Please Note:

There are four 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
What is synthetic ice made out of?

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

Can you skate on synthetic 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.

Can regular skates be used?

Any synthetic ice on the market will dull skates more quickly than natural ice. D1 Synthetic Ice will NOT damage your skates.

How do you clean synthetic ice?

D1 Synthetic Ice requires very little cleaning. Simply keep the ice surface free and clear of unwanted debris.

As needed, the surface may be swept off, power/pressure washed, or cleaned with a mop by hand using any mild household detergent.

It is important to note the life of synthetic ice tiles may be doubled by flipping over the panels after years of extended use. Both sides of the panel are identical and perform the same.

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.

Does synthetic ice require a spray?

The D1 Synthetic Ice is an exceptionally fast and smooth skating surface that is 100% maintenance-free.

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

Will a hockey puck slide the same on 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.

What preparation is needed before the synthetic ice installation?

A hard, flat surface is required. A cement slab, wood platform, asphalt, patio pavers, and 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 four 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, 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 four 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 four-pound rubber mallet is required to pound the interlocking dovetails together to lock the 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. It may be used yearlong in the extreme heat and sun of the summer and the bitter cold of the winter.

Do I need to build a roof over a synthetic ice rink if it is outdoors?

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

How long does synthetic ice last?

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 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 installation – any time of year is perfect!

Is it possible to expand the synthetic ice rink at a later date?

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

Are synthetic ice rinks any good?

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 choose D1 Synthetic Ice than any other brand.

How much is synthetic ice?

D1 Synthetic Ice is sold by the sheet.  Each sheet measures 45″ x 93″.  We offer 3/8″ sheets.

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