Liners For Ponds & Water Gardens. Different Types & features

General Tips When Constructing Ponds From Liners

Preserve soil when constructing the pond ... When you dig the hole for a liner pond save the soil for use in building a waterfall. Pond liner materials discussed here are suitable for waterfall construction also. Using pond liner is the most versatile way to build a pond. You can easily create marginal planting shelves and create levels at various depths to suit different types of aquatic plants from deep water plants like lilies to mid water plants and marginals that just like wet feet.

Remove all tree roots, stones, rocks and any sharp objects you find during soil excavation. If you don;t you can almost guarantee that by some miracle these sharp objects will rise and puncture your liner in the future.

For large liner ponds you'll need the help of construction equipment because there'll be a lot of soil to shift. You can buy single sheets of liner up to 30 x 20 metres ( about 100ft x 65 ft) for those extra large ponds.

The general equation for calculating the size of pond liner is as follows ...

  • Size of sheet in one direction (width) = Pond widest dimension +(Depth x 2) + minimum 1 metre (3ft) wide to allow for edging overlap on both sides of the pond. If you're going to install bog plant planting grooves then allow another 1 metre or 3 ft wide extension

  • Size of sheet lengthwise = Pond longest dimension +(Depth x 2) + minimum 1 metre (3ft) wide to allow for edging overlap on both sides of the pond. If you're going to install bog plant planting grooves then allow another 1 metre or 3 ft wide extension

EPDM Pondgard Liner By Firestone

In the USA Firestone PondGard EPDM is the industry standard for 45 mil EPDM, and for good reason because it's specially formulated for water gardening projects. It contains no algicides, no poisonous fire retardants that are typically found in EPDM used for roofing applications. This means you can always be certain that your pond liner is completely safe for your koi or goldfish. Check for the Firestone PondGard stamp.

Butyl Liner ...

Flexible & popular in UK for koi ponds

  • Ideal for use in small or large ponds. Easy to install.

  • Extremely flexible and highly elastic yet thick

  • Lifetime guarantee normally offered

PVC Pond Liner ...

Flexible and easy to use when you wan to build a goldfish pond or waterfall. PVC plastic liners are lowest price liners normally.

  • PVC pond liners best in 0.5mm heavy duty UV stabilzed PVC.

  • Easily fits  to pond contours making ideal for shelves

  • Good 2 directional stretch capability makes PVC less prone to root damage

 Standard Underlay (Underlayment to some) Protection for all liners

  • Extra thick heavy-duty polythene often used.

  • Look for puncture and tear resistance to give long life protection to your liner

  • Flexible, to mould to the contours of your pond

  • To get the right size of underlay or underlayment use the same dimensions as the liner itself. Make sure the hole is lined with sand underneath the underlayment.

Repair Kits for repairing and extending liners

  • Most liner supplies companies supply a kit for joining or repairing liners either PVC Butyl or EPDM.

I you're not going to use your liner immediately store it loosly folded manner. Do not expose the liner to bright sunlight or severe extremes of cold or heat. Pond liners are normally only guaranteed if you use the recommended underlayment so BEWARE. Always handle the liner carefully when placing in the pond shell; you'll need to fold, tuck and smooth into shape as much as possible (don't expect to remove all the creases ... you won't). Always slowly fill with water gradually letting more liner "drop" into the pond (ie do not allow the liner to stretch under the weight of water before slowly filling with water. Don't allow the weight of. Once you've finished beware of usin sharp objects around the pond and keep animals out.

Buying liner online Is Recommended. But ...

  • Check shipping costs

  • Check shipping time

  • Check guarantee

  • Make sure your rights are reserved

  • Make sure your privacy is respected.

A UK company called Bradshaws developed over 20 years ago a liner material called Polyex. It is the only one I'm aware of that is black on one side and brown on the other. Polyex liners are flexible, strong and durable with a strength enhancing UV stabilized and rot resistant coating on each side of the liner. The Polyex pond liner is available in a large range of grades and sizes. Polyex liners are designed to withstand all natural chemicals and conditions associated with an aquatic environments. It will withstand all types of pond treatment and additives commonly used in all sorts of fish pond and garden environments. Polyex can be used in any type of soil. It will withstand whatever type of soil conditions you have.