How to choose a pond liner
When choosing a pond liner there are two simple things to consider: the size of liner you need and the best type of pond liner material for your particular pond.
We’ll cover all that and more in this complete ‘how to choose a pond liner’ guide.
What size pond liner do I need?
The first step when choosing a pond liner is to work out the size you need. Unless your pond is extremely large, you will be able to buy a single sheet liner big enough for your entire pond. To work out the size you need, simply measure the longest length, widest width, and deepest depth of your pond.
You can then use our handy pond liner calculator below to determine the size you require. All you need to do is enter your three measurements and this will give you the pond liner length and width you need.
POND LINER CALCULATOR
To calculate the size of pond liner you need simply enter the length, width and depth of your pond on the left hand side.
(To convert your measurements from feet to metres just multiply by 0.3).
How to choose the best type of pond liner?
Choosing the best type of pond liner can seem quite a challenge. The most common types of pond liner are PVC and EPDM rubber. Their cost per square metre varies quite a bit, as does their thickness and associated durability. We’ll take a look at the main types of pond liner, and highlight their pros and cons to help you make an informed choice.
Rubber Pond Liners
PVC Pond Liners
Elevate Pond Liners
Pond Liner Underlay
PVC pond liners are the cheapest
PVC pond liners are some of the cheapest available. They are worth considering if you are working to a budget. But as with most things in life, you tend to get what you pay for. They have fair resistance to punctures and UV damage but have a tendency to get brittle with age. However they can last 10-15 years if well looked after.
If you have children or pets, or the pond is to be located under a tree where there may be falling branches, then PVC is probably not the best choice. We recommend PVC pond liners for smaller, sheltered ponds, where there is a low risk of abrasion and punctures.
Butyl rubber pond liners are no longer popular
Butyl rubber pond liners were historically considered the best material available for building high-quality ponds. Butyl is made from natural rubber which is expensive to source.
Butyl rubber has now largely been replaced by man-made EPDM rubber. EPDM has identical properties to butyl but is much cheaper to produce. Butyl rubber liners are still made by our suppliers, and although not available on our website, we can order them over the phone to suit your specifications.
EPDM Rubber pond liners are best
Although more expensive than PVC, EPDM rubber pond liners are the best choice for most pond builds. EPDM liners are more durable and last longer than their cheaper PVC counterparts. EPDM is a synthetic rubber and can be made from recycled material.
EPDM rubber pond liners are far stronger and much more resistant to punctures than PVC. Their superior resistance to UV from sunlight gives them a longer lifespan. Provided they are not punctured, EPDM rubber pond liners can last upwards of 30 years.
Supple and stretchy, rubber liners are easy to install. They are suitable for ponds and water bodies of all sizes, from small garden ponds to lakes. This makes them the liner of choice for most applications.
PondEasy rubber pond liners are recommended for most ponds
PondEasy rubber pond liners are extremely popular and for good reason. They are made from strong and extremely durable 0.8mm thick EPDM, and have excellent puncture and UV resistance. If well looked after they can last in excess of 30 years.
EPDM rubber pond liners are naturally stretchy, which makes them easy to fold into contours, marginal shelves, and pond corners. Their strength and ease of installation make them the perfect choice for self-build garden pond projects.
Elevate pond liners are strong and durable
Elevate pond liners (formerly known as Firestone) are 1mm thick EPDM rubber liners, reknowned for their superior strength and durability – they can easily last upwards of 40 years.
They are a ‘belt and braces’ premium liner for ponds of any size. Although a little more expensive than standard rubber pond liners, they are worth every penny.
When it comes to pond building, the best advice is always to build it once and build it right first time. With a 1mm Elevate pond liner you can rest assured you have installed the very best pond liner money can buy. It is no surprise that they are a very a popular choice with koi keepers, landscapers, and for lake construction.
Box weld pond liners are custom made
Box weld EPDM pond liners are custom made to the dimensions of your pond or water feature. They slot into your pond snuggly with no folds or pleats. The seams are joined to the highest standard in the factory.
They are an excellent choice for geometrically shaped koi ponds and ornamental fish ponds. The crease-less nature of box weld pond liners prevents pockets of debris building up, where disease-causing micro-organisms might otherwise accummulate.
We also supply box weld liners for water tanks for agriculture, industry, and residential use.
What sizes of pond liner do you sell?
We list a wide variety of pond liner sizes online that are all available for free next day delivery. However if you require an unlisted size, please contact us directly to place your order. In most cases we can still delivery with a very fast turn around – including large liners for lakes and lagoons. We can also put you in touch with one of our professional installers to take care of this for you upon request.
Are pond liners safe for the environment?
All our pond liners are environmentally friendly and safe for plants, fish and wildlife. They are completely non-toxic and chosen for their inert properties.