Pond
liners are a critical piece of your pond. Not only do they seal your
pond, but they also determine the shape your pond will take. There are
three types of pond liners that are most common today.
Concrete Pond Liners – Concrete pond liners have
been a popular option in the past, but have been decreasing in popularity
in recent years. Concrete ponds tend to last a long time. However, they
are typically the most expensive option and they also need a professional
to install them.
Preformed Pond Liners – Preformed pond liners are
a great option for small ponds. Often times, the liner fits snugly in
the designated space. They are also easy to install. Preformed ponds
are typically made from some type of plastic or rubber composite material.
Textured ridges are often built into the design of preformed ponds.
This is to closely mimic the shape of natural ponds. These ridges allow
for helpful bacteria growth that helps establish and control the eco-system
within your pond. The disadvantage to preformed ponds is that you don’t
have any control over the shape of the pond. You are limited to the
designs that have already been preformed.
Flexible Pond Liners – Flexible pond liners have
become the most popular option in recent years. As technology has improved,
the durability and performance of flexible pond liners has improved
dramatically. Now they are typically made from a synthetic rubber. One
of the biggest advantages of flexible pond liners is the creativity
it allows the user in designing their pond. They can bend or curve their
pond to match any shape they want. This flexibility is a main factor
in making flexible pond liners stand out against the competition. Installing
flexible liners can take a little bit of time, but there isn’t
much maintenance involved. If a repair is required, patch kits are readily
available.
Once you have decided to add a pond to your garden, it
is important to weigh several different factors to determine which type
of pond best suits your needs. After looking at the cost, labor involved,
size of your garden and creativity you desire, deciding which of the
available pond liners best suits your needs should hopefully be an easy
process.