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There are various pond liner materials and each of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. With the advancement of technology, people have been able to produce materials like butyl and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which are used in the manufacturing of flexible pond liners. On the other hand, plastic has been used to make numerous preformed pond liners that are currently in use at homes and other public facilities.
In this article we are going to discuss each of the materials that are commonly used in the making of pond liners. Let’s check them out:
Plastic pond liners
Plastic is most commonly used to make preformed pond liners. Plastic pond liners are usually rigid and will generally cost you less when compared to other materials like fiberglass. Some pond owners prefer using plastic pond liners because they are more readily available. In order to ensure that plastic pond liners don’t get damaged, they have to be fully inserted into the ground to alleviate any possibility flexing which may cause cracking. Pond liners made of plastic may be cheaper option but they will not last as long those made of fiberglass, PVC, or butyl. Pond liners made of plastic will be able to offer you mid to long term service. It is still important to ensure that the bottom part of the pond is free of any stones or sharp objects before installing your plastic pond liner. Installing the pond liner on any sharp object below may pierce it and puncture it, thus spoiling it.
Synthetic pond liners
Synthetic pond liners include ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) which is a kind of rubber used to make flexible pond liners. It is a highly flexible material which also very durable and capable of lasting for years. Synthetic pond liners have been used to line small to medium and even fairly large ponds. Synthetic pond liners are water resistant and safe to aquatic life and therefore are the best to be used on ponds where you want aquatic life to thrive. Synthetic pond liners are not reactive to the soil and water and so are generally considered to be environmentally friendly.
Pond liners made from synthetic materials don’t require any maintenance at all after being installed at the pond. These kinds of pond lining materials can withstand severe weather conditions without getting damaged. Another good thing with pond liners made from synthetic materials is that they are resistant to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most synthetic pond liners are affordable and readily available to purchase online.
Natural clay pond liners
There are some pond owners who have opted for natural clay to act as a seal for their ponds. Natural clay has great water retention properties and that is why it can be used a type of pond liner. The advantage of using natural clay pond liners over the others is that clay is able to provide natural water retention and barrier that tree roots may not be able to puncture. Its major drawback is that it can sometimes get loose and break up, releasing soil and clay into the pond.
Well built clay pond liners offer a cheaper alternative to the other forms of pond liners. Natural clay pond liners, if made by professionals are able to last long and will also be cost effective. With natural clay, native flora and fauna will flourish and this way a healthy ecosystem will be allowed to exist. Lakes and ponds lined with clay are more easy to maintain compared to those lined with synthetic pond liners. Natural clay pond liners cleanse nutrients in the pond making it more habitable to the fish there.
Concrete pond lining
Before most of the commonly used pond lining materials was discovered, concrete was the most used pond lining option. Even though other types of pond lining materials have taken center stage in the pond lining industry, some people still prefer using concrete as their pond lining material of choice. Using concrete as your pond lining material comes with a number of advantages, the most major one being that concrete will not be punctured by sharp rocks. There is however one major downside of using concrete to line a pond if you intend to keep fish. Concrete has chemicals that may harm fish, and so it is important that after you have lined the pond, the surface of the concrete lining has to be sealed well.
Pond liner underlay
Novice pond owners may not be aware of the fact that before you install any pond lining, a pond liner underlay is needs to be put in place. Even though you may decide to use tough materials for your pond liners they will still be susceptible to threats either from under or above the pond. A pond liner underlay comes in handy to protect the pond liner against any sharp stones or sharp corners which may puncture the pond liner.
Roots that grow into the pond after a pond liner has been installed can be threat as such roots may eventually puncture the liner. To avoid this scenario and avoid the expenses that may arise thereafter, it is advisable to first put a quality pond liner underlay to act a barrier for the pond liner.
Another reason to use a pond liner underlay before finally installing the pond liner is to protect the pond liner in the event of any stretching of the pond.
Conclusion
Pond liners are important because they help to ensure that water in the pond does not leak to the ground. There are various types of pond lining materials used to make different kinds of pond liners. It is always up to the pond owner to choose the type of pond liner he/she feels will be good.