Has anyone ever made/constructed a backyard ice skating rink?? Where do i start??

Question

My idea is to use a 2 x 4 type framing and add a pool liner for the water. do you think that would work??? 3 1/2 inches of ice???? is that enough???

Answer 1

You don't need a pool liner. Unless you get it perfectly flat, you'll end up with different thicknesses of ice with weak spots.

The best temperature is minus 5 celcius and lower. But you can build a frame with 2x4 ahead of time and lay it out. Make sure you're on a flat LEVEL surface. To minimize leakage under the frame, try using plywood strips attached to the frame.

Once well below freezing, start filling with cold water. It will freeze faster and give you a base. You'll need about 2 inches depth. Once well frozen, start filling in the low points. Warm water works best because it takes longer to freeze so it levels better. Once you have a good surface, you can improve it by using warm water and "massaging" it with a large felt pad. Think of what a Zamboni looks like, dragging a cloth behind.

Answer 2

Growing up in Chicago, a lot of our parents did it for us kids. They would take that corrugated edging and make a "frame". You needed to make sure the grass was very short first of all and all sticks and rocks were out, and also that you had a level surface to work with. They would use a hose to fill the bottom just to coat the bottom and create a base. Once that froze they could fill it the rest of the way and let it freeze. I guess it was about 3 or 4 inches thick by the time it was done. A pool liner would work too, but they way we did it as kids gave us a much bigger rink. Good times, good times......

Answer 3

My dad used to flood our patio every winter. He made a 2x4 frame but no liner. We lived in MN so it froze up fast. 3 1/2 is more than enough. You can also buy ice rink kits if your finances permit.

Answer 4

Can't be done