Frequently Asked Questions
What size rink liner do I need for my rink?
All RinkMaster liners are the actual size stated. A 20' x 40' liner measures 20 feet wide and 40 feet long.
To ensure proper coverage and to account for any movement, stretching, or settling during installation and freezing, you should buy a liner that is at least 4 feet longer and 4 feet wider than your actual rink dimensions.
This extra material provides enough overlap to tuck the liner up and over the boards, helping to prevent leaks and protect against shifting.
For example, if your rink size is 20' x 40', you should use a liner that is at least 24' x 45'.
Always measure your rink carefully before ordering, and if your structure is uneven or your ground slopes, allow for even extra overlap for best results.
To ensure proper coverage and to account for any movement, stretching, or settling during installation and freezing, you should buy a liner that is at least 4 feet longer and 4 feet wider than your actual rink dimensions.
This extra material provides enough overlap to tuck the liner up and over the boards, helping to prevent leaks and protect against shifting.
For example, if your rink size is 20' x 40', you should use a liner that is at least 24' x 45'.
Always measure your rink carefully before ordering, and if your structure is uneven or your ground slopes, allow for even extra overlap for best results.
Are RinkMaster liners seamless, or do they have any weak points?
RinkMaster liners are manufactured as a single continuous sheet, with no seams, welds, or weaves. This seamless construction eliminates potential weak points that could otherwise lead to leaks. The liners are designed to provide uniform strength and reliable containment throughout the entire surface.
Will the liner harm my grass or lawn during the winter?
No, your grass will not be damaged by using a rink liner in the winter. Grass naturally goes dormant during cold weather, so covering it with a liner and ice has no negative effect as long as you remove the liner promptly in the spring, after the snow and ice have melted.
The only way damage can occur is if the liner is left on after temperatures rise and the grass begins to grow again. For best results, wait to install your liner until the ground is frozen, and remove it as soon as possible once the thaw begins in spring. This will ensure your lawn stays healthy year after year.
The only way damage can occur is if the liner is left on after temperatures rise and the grass begins to grow again. For best results, wait to install your liner until the ground is frozen, and remove it as soon as possible once the thaw begins in spring. This will ensure your lawn stays healthy year after year.
How long does a rink liner typically last?
Most customers use a new rink liner each year, but with careful handling, some are able to get two or even three seasons out of a liner. The typical lifespan for a standard rink liner is 1 to 2 years; highly durable liners or those with extra care and protection, particularly at the edges, can last longer. Small holes or punctures can be repaired using light-coloured adhesive tape from a building supply store, but once a liner develops multiple tears, it will not reliably hold water and should be replaced.
The most common causes of liner damage are skate cuts, which often happen late in the season as the ice softens.
To extend the life of your liner, avoid using the rink in warm or thawing conditions and be gentle with skates and shovels around the edges. Protecting the liner inside the boards with kickplates can also help reduce wear and prolong its usable life.
The most common causes of liner damage are skate cuts, which often happen late in the season as the ice softens.
To extend the life of your liner, avoid using the rink in warm or thawing conditions and be gentle with skates and shovels around the edges. Protecting the liner inside the boards with kickplates can also help reduce wear and prolong its usable life.
Do you offer custom-sized liners for unique rink dimensions?
Unfortunately, we do not offer custom-sized liners. However, our inventory includes nearly 100 different size options, so most customers are able to find a liner that closely matches their rink's dimensions. We recommend selecting a liner that provides at least 2 feet of overlap on all sides to ensure proper coverage, even if it is slightly larger than your rink.
How should the liner be installed for best results?
Top Tips for Laying Out Your Rink Liner
Avoid windy days – A liner can act like a sail, catching the wind and risking damage.
Have extra hands – Helpers make it easier to avoid snagging the liner on boards, frames, or other objects.
Roll it out lengthwise – Most RinkMaster liners are rolled to the full length stated. For example, a 24' x 45' liner comes off the roll 45 feet long, then unfolds to 24 feet wide.
Rolling it out along the rink’s length first helps avoid having to rotate it after unfolding.
Be gentle—don’t drag or walk on a rink liner: Dragging can cause rips or tears. Walking on a rink liner should be completely avoided.
Tuck the liner fully into corners: Make sure the liner is pushed snugly down to where the boards meet the ground, so the boards—not the liner—support the water. This prevents “blow-outs” or liner stretching.
Fill in stages, and leave some slack: Fill with water in stages, not all at once, and leave some slack in the liner so it settles naturally as the rink fills and freezes.
Wait for freezing temperatures before installing the liner:
Don’t install too early—wait for sustained cold in the forecast to reduce the risk of debris, animals, or wind damaging the liner before filling begins.
Secure the liner along the top of the boards: Make sure the entire liner remains above the water line during filling, and secure it as needed to prevent it from shifting.
Avoid windy days – A liner can act like a sail, catching the wind and risking damage.
Have extra hands – Helpers make it easier to avoid snagging the liner on boards, frames, or other objects.
Roll it out lengthwise – Most RinkMaster liners are rolled to the full length stated. For example, a 24' x 45' liner comes off the roll 45 feet long, then unfolds to 24 feet wide.
Rolling it out along the rink’s length first helps avoid having to rotate it after unfolding.
Be gentle—don’t drag or walk on a rink liner: Dragging can cause rips or tears. Walking on a rink liner should be completely avoided.
Tuck the liner fully into corners: Make sure the liner is pushed snugly down to where the boards meet the ground, so the boards—not the liner—support the water. This prevents “blow-outs” or liner stretching.
Fill in stages, and leave some slack: Fill with water in stages, not all at once, and leave some slack in the liner so it settles naturally as the rink fills and freezes.
Wait for freezing temperatures before installing the liner:
Don’t install too early—wait for sustained cold in the forecast to reduce the risk of debris, animals, or wind damaging the liner before filling begins.
Secure the liner along the top of the boards: Make sure the entire liner remains above the water line during filling, and secure it as needed to prevent it from shifting.
What comes included with a new liner purchase?
Every RinkMaster ice rink liner comes with a tip sheet that provides helpful guidance for installation and care. Additionally, each liner includes a piece of Super Vinyl Patch, which can be used to repair small tears or punctures during setup. These items are provided to help ensure an easy setup and to address any minor issues you might encounter.
Does my yard need to be perfectly level to use the liner?
No, your yard does not need to be perfectly level to use a RinkMaster liner. The liner and rink frame are designed to accommodate some degree of slope. However, the more uneven your ground is, the deeper the water will pool at the low end, and the shallower it will be at the high end. If your yard has a noticeable slope, you may need to build up the lower side with snow, soil, or other materials to reduce the difference.
For the best results, try to minimize large height variations before building your rink, as this will help to ensure even ice thickness and make your rink easier to maintain.
For the best results, try to minimize large height variations before building your rink, as this will help to ensure even ice thickness and make your rink easier to maintain.
Is it safe or recommended to paint hockey lines or logos on the liner or ice surface?
Hockey lines and logos can add a lot of fun and personality to your rink, but any colour other than white will absorb sunlight—even on very cold days. This can quickly lead to melting and deep holes forming in the ice surface. Even the lightest or smallest lines or logos can cause deterioration on sunny days. For this reason, it is generally not recommended to paint directly on your liner or on the ice unless you are using only white paint. Always consider local sun exposure and weather conditions if you decide to add coloured markings.
Are RinkMaster liners UV protected or sun-resistant?
All RinkMaster rink liners are UV-protected to help minimize breakdown caused by exposure to sunlight. This UV protection acts as a built-in safeguard, helping to extend the life of your liner when it is exposed to the sun during the winter months. However, to maximize longevity, it is still recommended to store your liner in a dark place when not in use.