Ice Rink Tarp – Backyard Rink Liner

Ice Rink Tarps (aka Rink Liners) Backyard Ice Rink Tarp Canada! Need rink boards? Check out our HDPE Puck Board Sheets (.220″) — ideal for backyard rink edges. This product is a reliable White Ice Rink Utility Tarp ideal for lining outdoor skating rinks and general-purpose outdoor activity. Light-weight and reliable, this 3.5 oz 10×10 weave polyethylene White Tarp is designed for extra durability. It features a robust 6 mil thickness, combining a 4.8 mil woven layer with a 1.2 mil low-density polyethylene coating for added strength. This coating provides a worry-free ice skating rink experience. Aluminum grommets at every 3’ interval all around the edges for easy tie down if necessary in your installation. Please note the sizes stated are actual sizes. For example, a 40′ x 60′ tarp is actually 40′ x 60′. Purchase one today for an excellent skating rink experience this winter!       How to Make an Ice Rink with a Tarp If you’re wondering if you can use a tarp to make an ice rink, this is typically how Trison Ice Rink Tarps are used: Using 2″x8″s or 2″x10″s, create a border the desired size of your ice rink ensure that the outline of your boards is smaller than the size of the tarp the more uneven the ground, the higher the board you should use for example, if your yard isn’t level you can end up with an ice rink that is very thin at one end, which can lead to cracking usually the best way to build an ice rink on uneven ground is to use 2″ x 4″ x 12″ side boards Once you have the border boards laid out, pound stakes in the ground Then stand up the 2″x8″ or 2″x10″ boards (or whatever size you are using) and screw them into the stakes This should give you a frame of 8″ or 10″ deep (depends on board size) Layout the tarp inside this frame, allowing the tarp to go over the boards and settle inside once you know the weather is going to be freezing temperatures soon, begin filling the frame with water it is ideal to fill the frame all at once to avoid freezing in layers if the water freezes in layers, this can lead to nasty chips in the ice and a poor skating experience that said, if you don’t have a choice but to do it in layers, multiple very thin layers is best once there’s a few inches of water collecting, you can adjust the tarp as necessary and it will stay in place, held by the water this is a good time to make sure that the tarp can fully contain the water; once the frame is full, it will be much harder to adjust the tarp once the ice rink is full to your desired ice thickness, you can take care of getting rid of the excess tarp a good way to do this is to use 1.5″ strapping wood and roll it up in the ends of the tarp, and screw it to the sides of the frame boards you used it isn’t 100% necessary to roll it up, you can also simple lay the strapping boards directly on top of the tarp and trim it. Now, add friends and family and hot chocolate and you’re good to go! How to select the right size tarp or liner for your ice rink When selecting the size for your rink tarp, measure the available space you have in your yard. Once you know the frame size you will build, add 5 feet to this dimension each way. For example, if the frame will be 25′ by 45′, this is perfect for our 30’x50′ tarp. For very large rinks, it is better to purchase a tarp that is 10′ bigger than the ice rink frame. It’s important to remember the tarp needs to be able to come up and over the boards you use, and also have a bit extra to tie down. Also, if you plan to use the tarp for more than one season, you will have holes in it from the tie downs of the previous year, so this ensures you don’t run out of space if the tarp isn’t installed in exactly the same location as the previous year. Here’s a handy guide so you know what frame size to build for each of our common ice rink sizes: Tarp Size Size of Rink Frame to Build*: 20′ x 30′ 15′ x 25′ 20′ x 40′ 15′ x 35′ 30′ x 50′ 25′ x 45′ 40′ x 60′ 35′ x 50′ 50′ x 100′ 40′ x 90′ *Please note, if you intend to have back boards behind a hockey goal for example, be sure to add the dimensions of the backboard to your tarp size calculations as well. For example, if you plan to have 4′ back boards on each end of the rink, and you want the tarp to go over this as well, add the required dimensions to the length of your tarp. Usually it is simply better to fasten the tarp to the frame, and then put the back boards up since the puck or ball will just dent/cut the tarp anyway. Fastening the tarp to the frame before adding backboards also helps keep cost down b/c you don’t need such a large tarp. Additional ice rink tarp installation tips These helpful ice rink tarp installation tips will ensure you have a great skating season and a non frustrating install! Choose level ground While it sounds obvious, some lawns can have a gradual incline that is not perceptible until you start putting water in your rink. If you suspect this is the case with your lawn, using 2″x10″ or even 2″x12″ boards is a great option to ensure your rink is thick enough. Avoid sharp objects When the tarp is laid out, be very careful that nothing sharp touches it. Checking your boards for sharp or rough edges is a good practice, and also when using screws, and impact with bit, etc. never lay it on the tarp. Also, it is recommended to carefully walk over the area the tarp will be covering to see if there are any sharp objects like sticks or stones or anything else on the ground. Even if it isn’t really sharp, by the time the tarp is pressed onto it with the weight of the water, it could puncture the tarp. Avoid walking on the tarp When the tarp is laid out, it can seem more efficient to walk over the tarp if you need to adjust the other side. But it’s worth a trip around! You never know if something sharp is stuck to your shoe, or something like that. Go big! It’s better to have too much tarp than not enough. Checking our chart above for tarp sizing recommendations is the best way to go. Use back boards at the ends of the rink If you are playing hockey, setting up some sheets of plywood behind the goal can save a lot of time hunting for the puck or ball in the snow. Light up your rink Getting some outdoor lights for your rink can greatly increase the number of hours you can enjoy your rink in the early dark winter evenings. Using the tarp for another season While it is possible to use your ice rink tarp for more than one season, we recommend using it for a single season to ensure optimal performance. Using the tarp for multiple seasons may lead to damage or breaks. Storing your ice rink tarp for the next season If you choose to store your tarp for the next season, follow these tips: Clean the tarp thoroughly There will inevitably be some leaves or grass clippings, or bugs or whatever that accumulate in the water once the rink thaws out. Use a garden hose to wash the tarp down. Let the tarp dry thoroughly Making sure each side of the tarp is fully dry to avoid mildew or algae, etc. is highly recommended Patch any holes Once the tarp is fully dry, that’s a great time to patch any holes. We have very affordable poly tarp patch kits available for just this reason. Protect the rink tarp Once the rink tarp is folded and rolled up and tied, wrapping it in another utility tarp can help ensure no accidental punctures before using it again the next season. Measure your bundle and select the right size utility tarp here. What kind of tarp should you use for an ice rink? We recommend the above white ice rink tarp, since this color is the most forgiving for the grass underneath. There will always be some noticeable effect on your lawn if you place an ice rink over the grass, but using a white tarp ensures that effect is as minimal as possible. Will a blue tarp work for an ice rink? We don’t recommend using black or blue or dark green tarps for this reason, unless that is your only option. Of course, everyone has a different standards of lawn care, and also if you make sure to only start the rink after the temps are already cold and remove the rink before things start growing again the effect won’t be as bad. But still, we definitely recommend a white ice rink tarp as the number one choice for your backyard ice rink liner!