There’s a lot of different materials you could use for lining a pond. Some people would swear by using clay, others by using concrete. Then there’s always the option of using a preformed pond liner.
All of these methods have their benefits and drawbacks, but there’s one method of pond lining that’s both cheap and effective that I really want to tell you about, because it’s perfect for small to medium-sized ponds. It’s the method I’d go for if I were you, because it’s the best option for most people.
The method I’m talking about is an EPDM pond liner. Let me explain what it is and why it’s so great.
EPDM Pond Liners
EPDM pond liners are a type of pond liner that’s made of a synthetic rubber material. The great thing about them is that they’re both very strong and very flexible. That means that you can trust them to do their job, while also being able to stretch and bend them around all the nooks and crannies of your pond.
Another great thing about EPDM pond liners is that they don’t degrade over time. In fact, they actually get stronger. They do this by oxidizing, which is just a fancy way of saying that they harden up a bit. This hardening process happens very slowly, and it’s a good thing because it means your pond liner will be able to stand up to the test of time.
The only downsides to an EPDM pond liner is that you’ll want to put something protective underneath it, because could be punctured by sharp rocks. Prolonged exposure to UV will also cause it to crack and break, but that’s only a problem if the liner is exposed to UV for extended periods of time, like if it were on top of your pond’s substrate.
What I’d recommend is to put a layer of underlayment underneath it to protect it from any sharp rocks or roots you might have and cover any exposed areas around the edges of your pond with rocks. That way will never be exposed to UV at all, and you’ll never have any problems with it.
So, what is underlayment? Well, it’s just a fabric that’s used to protect the pond liner from sharp rocks and roots. It’s not essential, but it is a good idea. If you decide to use it, then I’d recommend getting 45 mil underlayment, because that’s the thickest available, and it’ll give you the most protection. It’s not expensive at all, especially considering that it’s literally the foundation of your pond.
Preformed Pond Liners
The only other major option for small to medium-sized ponds is to use a preformed pond liner. They’re made of plastic, and they’re only really good for people who are dead set on having a perfectly symmetrical pond.
The reason for this is that you’ll have to dig a hole that matches the shape of your preformed liner. If you don’t, then you’ll have to build up the soil around the edge of your pond, and that just looks ugly.
The problem is that digging out a pond is just a nightmare if you’re trying to get a very specific shape, and it’s very difficult to get a symmetrical shape if you don’t have years of experience with a shovel. The other problem is that preformed pond liners are very expensive, and the sizes you get are very limited.
That’s why I’d recommend getting an EPDM pond liner and some underlayment instead. You’ll save money, and the end result will be a more natural looking pond.
One Last Thing
One last thing to mention is that if you’re installing a pond with a lot of vertical sides, then you’ll need to get a protective pond liner. The reason for this is that having vertical wall sections adds a lot of stress to the liner, and a normal pond liner isn’t designed to withstand this. A protective pond liner is just a pond liner with a geotextile fabric bonded to it, and it makes the liner a lot tougher.
If you’re just digging a pond with a gentle slope, then you don’t need to worry about this at all.
