Synthetic ice has come a long way in the world since it was first released to the public in the 1060s. Back then it was made out of a hard plastic substance that continually had to be manually lubricated and maintained. Today, the synthetic ice that is available is light, rugged, and has its own self-lubricating system built right into the tiles. It is easy to install and even easier to maintain. However, not all synthetic ice is created equally, so you have to do your research before you lay down the cash to purchase some. It is probably a good idea to know a couple of things about synthetic ice first.
Different Types of Hockey Flooring
There are several types of hockey flooring that can easily be confused with each other. It all depends on the type of use you will be practicing on your flooring which one is best for you.
- Synthetic ice hockey flooring
- Dryland hockey flooring tiles
- Rubber hockey flooring
- Ice hockey flooring
Synthetic ice hockey flooring is extremely versatile and easy to set up. You can install an ice skating rink in your own home and be able to ice skate much like you can on ice. It is tough and built to last. It is also easy to install and care for.
Dryland hockey flooring tiles, also known as slick tiles, are another type of flooring that is great for practicing hockey, but it is impossible to ice skate on. They are slick and the puck glides across the surface much as it does on real ice, but if you try to use ice skates on it you will most likely fall on your face.
Rubber hockey flooring is the type of flooring players use when they play hockey with a ball instead of a puck. It is great for shoes, but not so great for ice skates.
Ice hockey flooring is exactly what the name says; ice. It is made out of frozen water and has to be kept refrigerated in order to work. Although it is great for ice skating, it is a lot of work to maintain and costs a lot of money to install.
Sniper’s Edge Synthetic Ice Panels
If you want to install the best synthetic ice solution in your home or anywhere else the greatest choice you can make is the Sniper’s Edge synthetic ice panels. The difference between the Sniper’s Edge panels and the rest of them is that the panels actually have their own built-in lubricant system that keeps them slick and ice-like all year round. Another fantastic feature that these tiles have is that they are reversible and can be turned over when they begin to wear out so that you can continue to use them for another round of years. The panels are high-quality and can accommodate training aids such as hockey shooting tarps, and hockey passers. When you choose a high-grade product that lasts for years to come you end up saving money in the long run and you don’t have to worry about your flooring failing on you. It will be there.
Shop Around and See
There are plenty of resources out there on the internet for hockey training aids. Go ahead and see for yourself. Shop around and take a look a the quality of the products that you see out there. You will most likely find Sniper’s Edge out there loud and clear. This is because they have a longstanding impeccable reputation in the hockey community for delivering great products and having great customer service.