Synthetic Ice Buyer's Guide

We'd like to thank Global Synthetic Ice, makers of Super-Glide, for sponsoring our 80 Hours Hockey Skills app.

If you've already decided that synthetic ice is the right choice for your town, training facility, home, office or entertainment needs, you'll want to know what your return on investment will be depending on which synthetic ice brand you choose.  Using a synthetic ice product that is not up to spec and not preferred by the end-user will be a waste of your investment.

Here are the questions you need to ask your supplier to make sure you are getting a product that suits your needs.

How many years have you been in business?
You should really ask ‘how many years will you be in business’?  Synthetic ice has been around for decades and mainly sold by 3 or 4 companies.  But new technologies and popularity of the product is bringing in several new so-called synthetic ice companies with little experience with this product.  Perry Boskus, owner of Global Synthetic Ice, makes Super-Glide synthetic ice and has over twenty years experience in this market.

Why does the price vary so much from synthetic ice suppliers?
You need to ask what material is being used and how the panels are manufactured.  While some so called synthetic ice products seem to be priced less than others, be careful as you are likely being over charged for the quality of product they are selling to you.

What material do you use?
Polypropylene – retails for $167.00 (4ʼ X 8ʼ X 1⁄2” stock) Shiny, and smooth on both sides, this is the cheapest plastic sheet material made. It has been around since the 1960ʼs and is considered very hard to skate on.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) – retails for $290.00 This can be sticky and is not considered good for skating.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) - retails for $175.00 This material can be skated on.
Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) - retails for $547.00 Because of its high price, synthetic ice companies do not purchase this material, as it is virtually impossible to sell competitively, with such a high raw materials cost. However, it has been found to be the best plastic sheet material to skate on.  Super-Glide is made of UHMW and uses an extrusion process.
Note: prices are in US dollars based on recent retail prices of base material.

Where do you buy your material and where are you on the supply chain?
Most synthetic ice companies buy their plastic from the same manufacturer and then put their own name on it.  The manufacturer also produces the same plastic for other industries and applications.  The synthetic ice companies usually are near the bottom of order fulfillment.  Super-Glide synthetic ice is made from it’s own facility in Georgia, USA and readily available.  The product is not marketed or resold under any other name.

How does the hurricane season affect the cost of the product?
Hurricanes increase the price of oil.  Oil is used to make plastic.  The manufacturer increases their price and the synthetic ice companies constantly change their consumer prices up and down.  Global Synthetic Ice’s raw material purchasing behaviour minimizes the effect of changing oil prices.

What is your delivery time?
The information in the previous two questions will impact the delivery time of your rink from the synthetic ice companies.  Some customers with a deadline have had to go to other suppliers to get a rink because the manufacturer was not supplying panels.  Super-Glide panels are generally shipped within two to five weeks.

How do the panels connect?
Super-Glide uses patented interlocking seamless technology.  After using a rubber mallet to connect the panels, the surface appears as one sheet of ice.  Some products on the market still require you to use other parts with a sledgehammer and crow bar to install.

How much will my rink expand and contract during temperature change?
We can’t change science.  The physical properties of plastic will cause the surface to expand in the heat and contract in the cold.  It’s important to get a calculated measurement to make sure the rink is free of obstructions (rink board supports, posts, curbs, etc.).  Now you need to think about how the weight of the rink moves without the panels buckling or separating.  Large rinks require the weight of the ice to transfer horizontally across the base surface.  Global Synthetic Ice has a proprietary sub-floor that allows your rink to move freely.

What is the life span of the panels?
Super-Glide Heavy Duty panels will last 15 years under frequent use.  When calculating your cost of the synthetic ice, use this formula to compare synthetic ice products:  cost per square foot per lifespan ($/sq. ft/years). 

What’s the warranty on the panels?
More like ‘What’s the quality control of the manufacturing process and will you stand behind it?”  There is a 10-year warranty on the Super-Glide commercial panels. 

Can I try your ice?
You really need to do this.  You should have a sample of your user group try it too (i.e. goalies, figure skaters, hockey players, general public).  Have both weaker skaters and stronger skaters try it as well.  Put them through a variety of drills to test for glide, stopping, tight turns, pivots and puck behaviour.  How much dust has collected on your gear and clothing?  Many users of synthetic ice over the years are unhappy with the overall performance of the product and are looking for facilities that have invested money in high quality Super-Glide product for a better user experience.  

Where have you sold it?
Get a variety of references.  Government, skill centres, businesses, event organizers and many homeowners have used Super-Glide.

What's the largest rink that you have built?
Not everyone needs an NHL sized rink nor do you need a rink this size to effectively train hockey players.  However, large rinks are a great testament to the technical strengths of the synthetic ice product.  Do the panels stay connected during temperature change?  Super-Glide Canada recently installed a full size rink (80' x 180') in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta (October 2010).  The rink includes embedded goal creases and lines.  This is the first of its kind in the world.

How much silicon or glycol do you need to apply?
All synthetic ice surfaces require some glide assistance.  The area, amount and frequency adds cost to your maintenance and impacts the end user experience.  While Super-Glide has glide material built-in to the ice, Skate Enhancer is available to apply based on the user’s preference. 

Are you insured?
The distributor or manufacturer should carry liability insurance.  Very much like a play structure or bicycle, users could get injured.  How they get injured, the extent of the injury, who is liable and if damages are sought is why coverage is a good idea.

What do you think about Super-Glide synthetic ice?
All synthetic ice companies know Super-Glide very well.  A good competitor will try to sell on the strengths of their product.  Others who fear Super-Glide and have a lesser quality product will try to find a fault in the Super-Glide product.