There are many reasons why you might want a hockey rink in your neighbourhood. Perhaps you and your neighbours can get together and form a team. You might want to have a casual pickup game with some friends or family. Or perhaps you’re just a big hockey fan and want to show your support for your favourite team by having a rink in your backyard.
Whatever your reasons, making a hockey rink is a lot of fun and doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re looking to do it yourself, here are some useful tips on how to make a street hockey rink that will have you playing in no time.
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Measure Twice, Cut Once
It’s very important to measure twice and cut once when following a recipe. This applies to most projects, but it is especially important when making something as important as a hockey rink. There are a few key points to keep in mind when following the instructions below to the letter:
- Make sure that all the wood is the same size and has the same texture.
- The goal is to end up with a smooth, even surface.
- The boards should fit snugly together but shouldn’t be too tight or loose.
- There should be a 1″ space between each board.
- When using 2x4s for the flooring, make sure that there is a 2″ space between each board.
- After the surface is smoothed and leveled, use a compound to fill in any cracks or holes. This will help prevent water damage and preserve the surface as smooth as new.
A Few Tips On The Construction Process
While it’s great to get the wood and other supplies pre-cut at a lumber yard, it’s not always convenient to do so. Sometimes you might want to cut down a tree yourself or get a pallet of boards from a local business. In case you do, make sure that you have all the necessary tools to do the job. Otherwise, you might end up with some nasty cuts or bruises from the rough edges of the wood.
If you’ve ever built a DIY shed or garage, you’ll know exactly what steps to take. You’ll need to cut all the wood for the frame and the flooring, then you’ll need to secure the frame by nailing or screwing it to the wall. Once that’s done, you can fit the flooring into place and continue driving nails or screws into the wall for extra stability.
To save time during the construction process, you can buy specialty tools for the job. This can help remove the repetitive task of driving nails or screws into the wall. These tools easily make the task of framing and hanging up the gym much easier. You can also use an electric drill to speed up the process considerably.
What Type Of Lights Do You Need?
There are a few different types of lights that you will need to consider when making a hockey rink. You will need enough light to illuminate the area around the rink, but not so much that it distracts from the game or makes it difficult for the players to see the puck. After all, nobody likes to get blinded by the lights, do they?
You will need bright white lights with a very high brightness level. They should not be florescent lights because they give off a harsh, bluish tinge that could potentially cause health problems for the players. Instead, pick LEDs because they are much healthier and brighter than regular incandescents or halogens. You should also consider buying a lighting kit that comes with a dimmer, so you can adjust the brightness of the lights to suit your needs. Remember, too much light can also be extremely distracting, so make sure that you don’t overexpose your players to it.
Do You Need Adjustable Shelf Brackets?
If you have a lot of space above the floor, you might want to consider getting adjustable shelf brackets so that you can hang up some of the equipment that you will need for the rink. For instance, there is a lot of room above the floor in most garages and sheds, so they are great places to store all the exercise equipment that you don’t need day-to-day. Adjustable shelf brackets make keeping all of these items organized and easily accessible much easier. They also help prevent injuries from falling equipment because they can be fixed at any height that you choose. This can also prevent serious damage to your back from repeated bending or lifting.
Do You Need A Party Ramp?
If you have a lot of space at the back of your house where there’s no wall, you might want to consider getting a party ramp. This is a long ramp that can be used for recreational sports like skiing or skating. It should be located near the back door so that children and other non-skiers can enter the house easily without falling over.) The ramp can also be used as a launching pad for children’s birthday parties!) A party ramp is a great addition to any backyard and makes getting in and out of your car much easier for your guests. It’s not just for kids’ parties though, anyone can use it. Imagine having a wedding ceremony or anniversary party at the bottom of your garden? Easy access to the nearest taxi service is vital in these situations, so having a party ramp will be a huge convenience.
Is The Location Close To The Road?
If you live in a downtown area or in a suburb where traffic is a concern, consider moving the location of the rink to a bit farther away from the road. This will help reduce noise pollution and give you a better chance of hearing the ball hits the ice rather than having to strain your ears to listen for noises from cars and trucks driving by on the street. If this is not possible, you might want to consider putting in a soundproof booth to muffle all the noise.
What Type Of Surface Should You Use?
The type of surface that you choose for your hockey rink is going to be governed by a few factors. The most important factor is how much space you have above the floor. If you have a lot of room, you should get a thick, durable surface like concrete or ceramic tiles. These are perfect for the garage or shed because they resist stains from water or other fluids. If you don’t have a lot of room, you can either choose to get a surface that is easier to maintain like asphalt or concrete, or you can go for a tile or wooden flooring that you can install yourself. You should choose a wooden flooring because it looks great and is very easy to install. Make sure to use a good quality sealant to protect your investment from moisture and other elements that can cause damage.
How Big Should The Rink Be?
This depends on how much space you have available. If you have a lot of room, get a big rink. Otherwise, choose a smaller one to make it easier to use. The bigger the rink, the more players that can fit inside. Also, the bigger the rink, the more space for spectators. Therefore, get the biggest one that you can comfortably fit in your yard.
Will The Rink Be Inside Or Outside?
If you decide to make the rink inside your house, you will need to follow certain guidelines to ensure that it is safe and suitable for use. First, make sure that there is plenty of space around the whole area so that no one is hurt if they fall off their skate. Place mats or cushions around the edges to provide soft landing spaces for those who fall. Second, install a hockey net with a sturdy metal frame to keep the puck in play. Third, make sure that all surfaces are smooth and free of any sharp edges or corners. This will minimize the risk of injuries. If you decide that the rink will be outside, make sure to protect it from the elements with a covering. You can use materials like Tyvek, acrylic, or vinyl to create a semi-enclosure that will keep the rain and snow off the ice and save it from being ruined.
As you can see, there are a lot of things to think about when building a hockey rink, but it’s not as hard as it seems. With a little bit of planning and organization, you will have a top-notch rink in no time. And if you can’t be completely organized, there are a number of companies that provide templates and plans so that you can get pretty much everything done by hand. This way, you can be sure that the dimensions and placement of all the structural elements are correct.