ToughIce
What is ToughIce®? It’s an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene plastic that you can skate on. ToughIce® is a specially engineered synthetic ice skating surface composed in such a manner as to allow for the most authentic glide as compared to real ice.
How does ToughIce® work? Skating on ToughIce® causes the same friction and heat in the skate blades as skating on man-made or natural ice. However, with ToughIce®, it causes the release of lubricants which are chemically engineered into during the manufacturing process. This sets ToughIce® synthetic ice apart from all competitors. Older synthetic ice surfaces required silicone lubricants. When skate blades cut through the LDPE plastics skaters would feel uncomfortable vibration and resistance as they turned and tried to stop. This made skating harder and less desirable. ToughIce®’s unique formula eliminates these issues and allows the skater to glide smoothly at all times.
What is the Size and Thickness of ToughIce®? ToughIce® panels are available in various sizes and thicknesses, ranging from 4’x8’ – 4’x4’ – 2’x2’ and from ½” to ¾”. Due to the strength and resilience of ToughIce® the standard used for all applications is 5/8”. The size variance depends on the installation. Smaller cut panels can easily be installed by one person inside a home. The medium size is for residential backyards and the larger are for commercial installs. Although you are free to select whatever size for any install. Logistics are the real determining factor in size selection. You are not limited to shape – square, circular or triangular – what ever is required is custom cut.
How does ToughIce® fit together? ToughIce® uses a seamless T&G technology to control expansion and contraction often associated with outdoor installations. It goes through a special process to allow for use in extreme temperature variances. This system eliminates vertical movement, as well as horizontal and lateral shifting. This is the most advanced system available on the market today. ToughIce does not use spline technology, which limits wear, nor flat edge fitting which poses a risk for skater’s ankles. To ensure sheets fit seamlessly, anchor dowels may be used in open area installs, or our ToughFrame® will secure the sheets if support walls or MobileRink frames are not available.
How easily is a MobileRink® assembled? A personal MobileRink® can usually be installed in a matter of hours. Varying panel sizes are a Do-It-Yourself product and generally take just a few minutes each to install on a properly prepared sub-surface. Professional-size applications require additional labour to install as do full-contact MobileRinks®.
Can ToughIce® or a MobileRink® be installed on any surface? Yes they can. For unlevel and soft sub-states we first install a stable sub-floor system of framing or a solid substrate for such areas. The system is laid first, followed by a MobileRink® frame, if any, and then the ToughIce® surface. It can also be laid directly on cement or asphalt with no requirement for any under padding as with most other synthetics.
How is the glide on a ToughIce® surface? As with skates, a hockey puck as well as other items will glide across the ToughIce® surface just the same as on any other ice. Due to its synthetic nature and its manufacturing process, ToughIce’s® coefficient of friction is less than 10%, making it most like skating on real ice than any other product on the market today.
Can ToughIce® be damaged by freezing or extreme sun exposure? No it cannot. ToughIce® is unaffected by high and low temperatures and is UV stable and colour fast. It will remain the same as the day it was installed. It will not turn yellow from continual use of glide enhancers either, since they are not required. When water freezes on ToughIce®, you only require light pressure from a scrapping tool to remove it. Water molecules do not absorb into ToughIce® resulting in easy ice and debris removal.
Is a roof or canopy required over a MobileRink®? No covering is needed over a MobileRink®, but a roof does prevent contaminants from falling on the skating surface. Excessive surface dirt slows the skate blade’s glide. In this case we suggest you broom, wash or blow contaminants off on a regular basis for a better glide for skaters.
What is required on ToughIce® after rain or snow settles on it? ToughIce® is waterproof and can be skated on wet, if desired. If it snows, just shovel it off. Other than that, there are no requirements or limitations.
How do you clean the ToughIce® surface? Sweeping or vacuum-cleaning the surface after heavy use will suffice. Another good process is to use a high pressure sprayer once in a while to maintain its clean look. Heavily polluted rinks can be cleaned with a non-bleach cleaner or and then rinsed with water. The best thing is to sweep daily, do a light cleaning weekly and a full scrub monthly. Ensure that street shoes are kept off the surface as transferred dirt from shoes can add to the dirt.
What other regular maintenance is required with ToughIce®? ToughIce® is extremely durable. Other than keeping it clean, nothing really needs to be done. You require no glide enhancers and no special care. This not only eliminates the annoying shavings created by glide enhancers and the friction caused by skating over or by having the fill the arch of the skate blade, but also the timely and expensive process of spraying the surface, which needs to be cleaned prior so not to trap dirt onto the surface. This is a task more often ignored than a rule followed. Due to ToughIce’s® engineering, glide enhancers are never a requirement.
What is the life expectancy of the ToughIce® surface? With proper care, each ToughIce® panel can last well beyond 10 years. They are not reversible due to our technology, but this technology also makes them last longest. In the event that a panels needs replacement, it can be done quickly.