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10 Best Pond Liners ReviewsFor You
Are you interested in creating an aquatic paradise in your garden?
You might have been dreaming of one day having a pond that is full of the cascading waterfall, the colorful Koi fish or a fountain!
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There are a number of features that one might be planning of the building.
It does not matter what feature type you go for, investing in a top-quality pond liner is one of the first things you will need to do.
Getting a pond filter and a pond pump are the other necessary things which you will also have to get.
The pond liner consists of an impenetrable geomembrane which helps it in retaining water in different water features like lakes, fountains, ponds, and dams.
Any top-quality pond liner will prevent any water from leaking into the ground and offer the support and shape for your fish and plants.
What is a pond liner?
A pond liner refers to a structure that looks like a tarp. It can be used in covering the pond bottom.
Pond liner is made using materials that are watertight which are capable of preventing water from getting into the earth.
The pond liner will ensure the pond holds water giving it structural integrity and improving its aesthetic value.
Why Do I Need a Pond Liner?
Since the 18th century, people have been making artificial ponds, water gardens, and small lakes.
In the previous years, the most common method of substituting the pond liners was to make use of clay to help in lining the pond to prevent water from escaping.
However, this method was somehow non-effective and time-consuming.
In recent days, there have been flexible pond liners that are made using artificial materials like rubber to replace the clay.
It helps in isolating the water inside the pond from the ground.
Using concrete pond lining is also possible although this method is a bit complicated while the results are not that effective as in the case with the EPDM pond liners.
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Top 10 Best Pond Liners Reviews
1. TotalPond pond skins Pond Liner
The Pond Skins Pond Liner manufactured by TotalPond is an excellent choice for any person who is interested in building a small to the medium-sized fountain or fish pond.
It is a top-quality liner that is made using PVC which reinforced using a strong polyester weave between the PVC layers is making it resistant to UV.
It is also puncture resistant and durable capable of withstanding water capacity of up to 1000 gallons.
It is a very flexible and lightweight liner weighing 30% less than the usual 20-mil PVC liner.
Apart from being a high-quality construction, this liner is also considered to be an attractive addition to the pond as it merges into the environment of the pond creating a more natural look.
The textured surface of this liner has also been engineered to help in facilitating the growth of bacteria inside the water that is essential for a healthy stay in the water.
Pros
- It is durable
- It is flexible
- It is of a heavy-duty construction
- Has an excellent value for money
- Made from strong PVC
- It is resistant to UV
- Installing it is much easier
- Can be used for larger and small ponds
Cons
- It has a shiny side hence difficult to see which side up is right.
2. Aquascape 85009 EPDM 45 Mil
In case you are interested in a professional grade with the highest quality product, then the Aquascape EPDM Rubber Liner is the best choice for you.
Aquascape has for years been known for coming up with long-lasting and high-quality pond products.
This liner measures 45 mm thick. It is puncture resistant and durable.
This liner is also capable of retaining its ability to be stretched, molded, and shaped to fit any ponds shape, water feature, or waterfall with little creasing or wrinkling.
Its rubber material can be cut with lots of ease and sealed using another for larger lakes.
Most of the water feature and professional pond installers do prefer using this liner due to its great lifespan and excellent quality.
For sure, you can never go wrong with a product that has professionals backing it.
This liner also has a 20-year guarantee which makes it possible to be repaired or replaced in case something happens to it within the two decades.
It is available in different sizes.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- UV and Ozone resistant
- Durable
- Made from high-quality material
- Safe for both fishes and plants
- Comes with 20 years warranty
Cons
- It is expensive
3. Beckett Corporation Pond Liner
It does not matter what your vision is for the new water feature, Beckett Corporation Pond Liner measuring 39 x 39 x 18 inches with a 35-gallon capacity will provide you with everything you require when it comes to creating of a small pond for the fishes.
This pond liner has been constructed using a top grade plastic that has extra strength and is more flexible.
It has a flat bottom that offers a stable platform with several plant rooms.
There are endless creative possibilities with this liner.
It is possible to fill it using the Goldish or Koi or you can decide to bring in a stylish fountain or elegant waterfall.
The material of this liner is UV stable making it plant and fish-friendly while the contoured sides are not that visible when underwater.
This makes it possible for one to disguise its edges using foliage and decorative rocks.
It is also known to be a very versatile pond liner that can be installed either on or above the ground.
Pros
- It is of a high-quality construction
- Has a great design
- Durable, thick and UV resistant
- An excellent choice for the smaller ponds
- It is of great money value
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Lacks plants integrated shelves
4. POND BOSS 032287 Pvc10X13 Pond Skins Liner
The Pond Boss is considered to be a classic type of pond liner which is of an amazing bargain. It is perfect for ponds that hold up to 1200 gallons.
This liner has a sheet that is made from 14.5 PVC making it lightweight and very durable and easy to use for even the novice people.
They are a very classic liner which has been in use for years due to their puncture resistant feature and a dual fiber weave that ensures it does last for long.
This liner does have a textured surface that encourages the growth of good bacteria.
It is these good bacteria that will help in keeping your pond healthy and fishes together with plants thriving.
They are non-toxic and environmentally safe and are also available in different sizing options to help accommodate different pond sizes which can be joined during professional installation to ensure larger pond surfaces full coverage.
This Pond Boss does come with a reinforced mesh construction together with a 20 year warranty period.
Pros
- It is a very durable pond liner
- It is UV resistant
- Installing it is very easy
- It is safe for both fishes and plants
Cons
- There are some discrepancies between the advertising and packaging.
5. Firestone PondGard 45 Mil 20 x 25-Feet EPDM Pond Liner
The Firestone PondGard 45 Mil 20 x 25-Feet EPDM is a very simple liner for someone that needs something that is easy to set up instead of something which is heavy-duty.
This 0.45” EPDM thick rubber is capable of lasting for years if it is well taken care of and does work great as a liner for waterfalls and ponds and any other water fixture.
This pond liner is eco-friendly and fish safe making it an excellent liner for both your larger projects and the backyard ponds.
Its flexibility does allow for more freedom in its usage.
Apart from its durability, one will also have a peace of mind in knowing that its manufacturer, Firestone does produce a repair kit which makes patching of any accidental holes or tears fast and easy.
No person will be interested in tearing apart the entire pond in order to replace a faulty pond liner hence; the extra precaution that is taken by the brand is perfect and well appreciated for to keep.
Pros
- Made from high-quality material
- Comes with a repair kit
- It is easy to mold
Cons
- There are users who have reported difficulty in cutting the liner.
6. Firestone 45mil EPDM Rubber Pond Liner
This is a very simple liner that is perfect for any person who wants something easy and simple to set up.
Its 0.45 mil thick EPDM rubber is capable of lasting for several years when looked after properly.
It also works well as a liner for the waterfall, ponds, and other water fixtures.
It is a fish safe and environmentally friendly product making it excellent for use in larger projects and backyard ponds.
It is also a flexible product that allows for freedom in its usage.
Despite being durable, it still offers and extra peace of mind as Firestone its manufacture does produce a repair kit which makes patching up of any holes or tears easy.
There is no person who will be interested in tearing apart this pond just to replace the damaged liner.
Pros
- It is a very durable liner
- It is eco-friendly
- It is UV resistant
- It is cost-effective and extremely functional
- Using it is very easy
- It is of excellent quality
- Made from high-quality construction
Cons
- It can be a bit difficult to move around
7. Firestone W56PL452020 Liner
This pond liner is a top-class product from Firestone. It is considered to be among the best liners currently available in the market.
The boxed and pre-cut liners are suitable for any type of water feature. This liner has been made using a top-quality Ethylene Propylene.
This liner does stay the same even during the winter and it is super flexible.
It also has a very high resistance especially against the destructive and harmful UV rays, the unfavorable obstacles in the environment and the ozone.
The Firestone W56PL452020 Liner is very safe to use in the fauna and flora ponds as it does not have any chemicals which can cause harm.
It also has a flexible rubber membrane which makes it much easier to mold the exact shape of the pond.
Pros
- Requires little or no maintenance
- It is UV resistant
- It is highly flexible
- Come with a warranty period of 25 years
- The black color offers it a natural look
- The secure formulation for the living creatures
Cons
- It does not have any international shipping option
- It has a thicker liner than most of the liners in the market.
8. Firestone PondGard PL45-1010 Pond Liner
This liner was specifically designed to be strong so that it can effectively resist the effects of UV rays together with its ozone resistance.
The liner was made from EPDM thick rubber which has no harmful carcinogens.
This makes it be eco-friendly making it an excellent choice for fish and plants maintaining.
The PondGard PL45-1010 Pond Liner is also known to be very flexible which makes it possible to be shaped according to your level of creativeness.
It does not matter if you need a curved or round design or one that has steep sides.
You will always need to include a natural-looking and beautiful waterfall that will help in enhancing your backyards look.
This liner can also be fitted to contain any water feature type.
This PondGard liner does not contain any migrating plasticizers hence no splitting or cracking of the material.
Apart from having an outstanding display, it does have consistent resistance to extreme temperatures.
Pros
- Cutting and folding it is easy
- It is cost-effective
- It is eco-friendly
- It is made from high-quality construction
- Its functional design ensures endless possibilities in creativeness
- It is durable
Cons
- It can be very heavy to move around with
9. Algreen 91901 Avonlea Rigid Preformed Pond Liner
Investing in an Algreen 91901 Avonlea Rigid Preformed Pond Liner would be an excellent idea when you prefer in a no-nonsense approach to the installation of the pond.
Within five minutes, you can install the pond and have it filled with water and plants, turtles, and koi fish.
It is among the best pond liners currently available in the market. It is made from eco-friendly, UV stable, and recycled thick plastic.
This makes it safe for plants and fish and it is also resistant to cracking, chipping and year-round fading.
Using this pond liner will make it possible for you to create a beautiful backyard oasis that has never been that easy.
With this pond liner, it is possible to have it installed above the ground. This makes it possible to be placed anywhere in the garden or patio.
Pros
- It is easy to set up
- It offers great value for money
- There is no mess or no-fuss approach to the installation of the pond
- Has integrated shelves for the plants
- Can be used both above and in-ground
Cons
- Its round edges make it difficult to overlay the stones
- It can easily leak when you overfill the pond
10. UnderGuard Geotextile Underlayment
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This is basically a liner and an underlayment all in a single product.
This liner adds a cushion layer between the pond and any roots or rocks which might be hiding below it.
It will help in reducing the level of wear and tear that is caused by the dangers together with punctures or tears.
Its fabrics have been made to ensure the soil is stabilized hence, preventing roots and rocks from penetrating the liner.
It also helps in creating the rock pads to ensure boulders and large rocks that are placed in the pond are well cushioned.
This liner can be of excellent use in the koi ponds or areas with unstable soil conditions.
Installing it is also easy since you will not have to worry about its two different products inlining and protecting your investment.
This pond liner is available in different widths making it easy to customize the dream pond.
Pros
- Available in several widths
- Using it is very easy
- It is two products in one
- Great for both plants and fish
- It is super resistant and durable to punctures and tears
- Perfect for the unstable conditions of the soil.
Cons
- It is much thicker than most of the other available options.
Know The Types of Pond Liners
The pond liners are made using different types of materials that do vary in flexibility, strength, and cost. Below are some of the common pond liners currently available in the market.
The PVC One of The Best Pond Liners
The PVC pond liners do measure 0.5 mm in thickness.
They do have a stretchy liner although it is not tearing proof.
This means that whenever the material is torn or gets punctured, it can get worse after some time leading to leakage of water from the pond.
This will force you to dig into your pocket and purchase a new pond liner.
A good example of the PVC pond liner is the Oase pond liner.
The Rubber Pond Liners
The rubber pond liners can be divided into the Butyl and the EPDM.
The Butyl has for a long time been considered to be one of the best materials for most pond lovers.
However, due to its high demand in the market, its price is a bit high.
On the other hand, the EPDM is known to be less costly although it does have similar characteristics as the Butly.
A good example of the rubber pond liner is the Firestone which is a worldwide brand.
LDPE Pond Liner
The LDPE pond liners do have two main benefits.
They are known to be very economical and they are also flexible and tear-proof.
These pond liners are made from a low-density polypropylene and are capable of lasting for several years.
The Preformed Pond Liners
Just as its name suggests, the Preformed Pond Liners are basically preformed and their shapes can never be changed.
In case you do go for such a solution, you will never be in a position to change its shape in the future unless you do dig the liner out.
The RPE Pond Liner
RPE basically stands for Reinforced Polyethylene. This refers to a lightweight pond liner that is a mix of the High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and the Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE).
The RPE pond liner is very strong and does not need any pond underlayment before it is installed.
However, the RPE pond liner is widely known for not being very flexible.
The RPE is easy to pack and set up. They are also known to be much lighter despite their thickness.
However, you will have to use an underlayment due to their thin characteristic nature.
It is a safe version for both the plants and animal life and also costs less when compared to other types of materials.
Best Pond Liners Buying Guide
Pond liners do differ depending on the type of material used in making it.
However, there are other different factors that can be used when shopping for the best pond liners for your pond.
Durability
In most cases, the pond liners will always be exposed to water pressure, sunlight, and ozone and temperature fluctuations.
All these do press lots of stress on the liner.
It is therefore advisable that you go for a pond liner that can last for a long time without the need for replacement.
Thickness
Pond liner thickness will impact on its durability. However, the thicker the pond liner, the heavier it will be.
Installing a thicker pond liner can also be very difficult.
Pond liner thickness is measured in mils.
Material
Construction materials are one of the most influential factors for the pond liner.
The thickness, cost, and durability are all dependants on the type of material used.
PVC
This is the lightest material used in making pond liners currently available in the market.
It is much cheaper and easy to install.
It measures 20 miles in thinness meaning it is not that durable.
The PVS can easily get punctured by roots, rocks, animals or by you when working inside the pond.
LDPE
It is a material which you can get is used as a trap in construction and agriculture.
LDPE is a very flexible material and does have a 40 mils thickness.
It is much better than the PVS although it has its drawbacks too.
It is a very strong and durable material when compared to the other types of pond liner materials.
EPDM
This is a synthetic rubber material that is commonly used in automobiles and roofing.
It is one of the best pond liner materials you can get in the market.
It is UV stabilized, puncture resistant and durable.
It measures 45 mils in thickness and very safe for both plants and fish in the pond.
It comes with a warranty period of 20 years which tells you how durable it is.
Its durability and the long warranty period, however, make it much expensive when compared to other materials used in making pond liners.
Size
In most cases, the pond liner size will always be determined by the pond size.
When shopping for a pond liner, ensure that you first know the measurements of your pond to help you get the right size of pond liner.
You can also go for a pond liner size that will fit your needs.
Eco-friendly
The materials in which liners can be crafted from can at times be prone to disruption from different flora and fauna forms which are found within the ecosystem of the pond.
The PVC liners do fall into this category.
In case you will be filling the pond with fish or plants, always take your time and examine the type of materials that constitute the liner.
There are liners that contain arsenic which is deadly to animals and plants.
Flexibility
You will always need to have a flexible liner so that it can be well shaped to ensure you align your pond or any other similar project.
Depending on the type of material your liner is made from, it will have to be of different malleability.
A number of the most popular pond shapes like the freeform or kidney-shaped do need a liner which is easier to manipulate.
UV and Ozone resistant
Most of the pond liners are UV and ozone resistant.
In case you are planning to get some colorful and beautiful koi fishes for your pond or if your garden is well exposed to the sun, there is nothing that will overcome the EPDM liners.
They will ensure your fish is well protected against temperature and heat increase and also help in preventing the line from any form of decay.
Warranty
Any company that has confidence in the product it manufactures will always offer a good warranty period.
When you get the pond liners that come with 15, 20 or even 25 years as warranty period, go for them as that is a sign of high-quality product.
How to Choose & Install Pond Liners For your Pond?
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Pond Liners
Q: How long can a pond liner last?
Ans: Any top-quality pond liner can last for 10-25 years. There are pond liners that will come with a manufacturer’s warranty.
However, not all company policies will be displayed when buying a pond liner, hence; it is always advisable that you first check the company’s website.
Any top-quality liner should be in a position to last for up to 40 years.
Q: What Materials Are Pond Liners Made of?
Ans: The pond liners are usually made of the Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), the preformed pond liners, Polyethylene and the Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM).
Q: Will I require Underlayment below the pond liners?
Ans: It is advisable that you do use the underlayment for extra durability.
This is because most of the punctures experiences in pond liners are never fun to handle.
Q: What do LDPE Pond liner stands for?
Ans: The low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) refers to a material that is used as an economical alternative for most of the PVC liners.
They do offer excellent flexibility that gives a better finish.
Q: What is the weight of a pond liner?
Ans: For example, the PondGuard Firestone 45mm EPDM pond liners do weigh 30 pounds per square feet.
This makes 150 lbs for the entire 20 by 25 liner.
Q: What pond liner size should I go for?
Ans: You can always calculate the size of the pond liner you require by using the following method:
The maximum length (this is two times the depth of the pond) together with the added overlay on the width and length measurements.
You can also use the pond liner calculator to help you get the right measurements.
Q: How do I clean a pond liner?
Ans: Whenever you are cleaning the pond, the pond liner will always be included in the process.
Ensure that you do remove any fish from the water and use a pond safe cleaner like any commercialized product or vinegar.
Keenly follow the instructions that come with the commercial product or put vinegar into the water bit by bit.
Thereafter, scrub the liner gently in order to remove any type of debris.
In case you are not interested in draining the pond, you can always quick clean by wiping any debris or removing leaves together with any other odds from the water.
Conclusion
The pond liners are very important when it comes to pond construction and ensuring that your pond is safe, secure, long-lasting and hygienic.
We do hope that our review together with the buying guide has helped you understand the best pond liners currently available in the market and things to consider when shopping for one.
Do not hesitate to get in touch with us in case you have any questions or suggestions.
Source: Pond liner reviews
