Choosing the right pond liner will ensure that your garden pond gives a beautiful looking result and years of enjoyment to you and your family. Pond liners are widely available but knowing which type of liner you need is essential in achieving a satisfactory result.
Four of the most common Pond Liner materials
- EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) liners:EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) liners are a synthetic rubber material and make an excellent choice for ponds. EPDM is highly flexible, U.V. stable, resistant to air pollution, has a lifespan of 20 years, is non-toxic to plants and fish and it performs well in colder climates. EPDM is one of the least expensive of all pond lining materials.
- PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) liners:PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) liners are a highly flexible, easy to work with synthetic vinyl. Pond liners from PVC are U.V. stable as long as not exposed to direct sunlight, long lasting and safe for plants and fish. PVC liners have a lifespan of 10 years or more. One drawback with PVC liners is they are slightly less resistant to freezing temperatures and have been known to crack along the folds during winter.
- HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) liners:HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) liners are a thermoplastic material that is tough and resistant to chemicals. HDPE liners are fish and plant safe, inexpensive and can last for 20 years. It is the least flexible of pond lining materials and can be difficult to work with in colder climates but is still quite popular in pond construction. HDPE liners are very stable and have the same life expectancy as PVC but are generally less expensive. HDPE liners are sometimes less readily available.
- Butyl rubber pond liners:Butyl rubber pond liners are UV resistant and generally have a 20 year lifespan. However, some types of these liners may contain toxic ingredients that can leach into the water. These liners are not readily available, very expensive, do not come in many sizes and are difficult to patch. Butyl rubber liners are flexible, but are thick and can be hard to fold at corners and curves.
Use a good pond liner underlay
Whichever type of pond liner you choose, it is absolutely essential that before you lay it, you use a good pond underlay material. Some pond builders have used regular carpet underlay or even old carpet or burlap, but beware of these choices as they will break down over time and expose your pond liner to sharp rocks. With the effort involved in constructing your own garden pond, it isn’t wise to skimp on the pond underlay.
Thoughtful choices of high quality liner materials will ensure that your pond turns out to be as spectacular as you plan.