What kind of wood should I use for an outdoor ice rink?
The three most viable options are lumber 2 by 12’s, ¾” CDX plywood or a commercial backyard rink board solution.
How much does it cost to build a backyard ice rink?
As a reference point, a custom ice rink for a typical Suburban Lot which can be 30′ by 50′ starts at approximately $1300.00. Custom ice rinks could be arena style with back boards for the hockey lovers or they could be skating rinks with shorter boards for better cost efficiency.
What size are ice skating rink boards?
4′ x 8′ sheets of 5/8″ plywood: These two higher rink boards go in the back of the goal nets. I cut 4 sheets in half lengthwise to make: 8 of 2′ x 8′ sheets of 5/8″ thick plywood, to be used for the rink sides.
How thick should backyard ice rink be?
Q4 – How thick does the ice have to be? A – A minimum of 2” (two inches) thick for the ice to stay solid and hold the weight of a 300lb person is required. For the municipal rinks, we recommend at least 3” (three inches).
How big should backyard rink be?
Small synthetic rinks, e.g. 4×3 m (12×9.5 ft), can be great to practice stickhandling and shooting, while medium sizes, e.g. 6×3 m (19×16 ft) add enough space to train skating and passing as well. Larger rinks, like 6×6 m (19×19 ft) or 10×5 m (33×16 ft) are great for cone drills, goaltending and 1:1 or 1:2 scenarios.
How do you level an outdoor ice rink?
You would need to add 1 or 2 inches of water during the night, let it freeze and add more water the following night, repeating the process until the water level has covered the entire yard, the entire ice surface is level, and the minimum ice depth at the thinnest point is around 3 inches.
What can I use for backyard rink liner?
Use a 6 mil white Rink Liner. We cannot overstate the importance of this. Some of our competitors are selling a “7 layer” liner that is 5 mil. There is no benefit to many layers.
Can you use a tarp for an ice rink?
Typically, rink tarps are very suitable for backyard ice rinks. They are made from a medium- or heavy-duty form of plastic – polyethylene, or simply ‘poly’. Apply your rink tarp up and around your rink boards. Most poly tarps are three-ply.