When setting up your pond, a liner is one of the most important parts which you have to install to keep water flowing into the ground underneath. It is also known to provide a viable base for plants and roots to spread their reach and explore. Whether users are building their first pond or their tenth, this product will lend stability and value to your layout.
With numerous alternatives and equipment available, selecting the best one can get a little perplexing. That’s why I created the buyers guide part to assist in clarifying the massive array of selections available to you, so you can make an informed decision when purchasing a liner.
Generally, there are various things you need to consider. Before choosing a pond liner for your construction, we are going to look at that below. Also, we will take a detailed look at the top 10 pond liner products you can get on the market today.
- Best 45 Mil Pond Liner: Anjon LifeGuard Pond Liner
- Best PVC Pond Liner: TotalPond pond skins
- Best for Waterfall: Aquascape PRO Grade
- Best 20×20 Pond Liner: Firestone W56PL452020 EPDM
- Best EPDM Pond Liner: PondGard 15 x 15 Firestone 45 Mil
- Best Waterproof: Billboard Tarps Vinyl Pond Liner
- Best Rubber Pond Liner: Firestone W56PL451015
- Best for Koi: AQUANIQUE Pond Skin Pond Liner
- Best with Underlay: Firestone PondGard 45 Mil
- Best for Bulls: POND BOSS 032287 Pvc10X13
Is It Really Essential to Buy a Pond Liner?
When it comes to hole digging pond projects or excavation of pond sites, most people can try to avoid using a liner. You should not try to do that. The pond liner serves as a waterproof fabric that will help users keep the pond water so that it doesn’t get back into the soil. It helps protect most plants and fishes which have made their domain there.
Most products are attached with “fabric sheets” and these “joints” are sealed during production to make sure there is durability. Buying a liner just for ponds is a very important part of building a pond making it safe, beautiful, and sparkling due to years of maintenance.
Important Factors Users Have to Consider When Purchasing a Pond Liner
There are various things that you have to look into while looking for the best pond liner.
Environmentally Friendly
Most of the things that these products are made from can be known to affect mostly forms of fauna and flora which are integrated into your pond’s ecosystem. Liners made from PVC can be known to do this. If you are building a pond for flowers and fishes, be sure to check out what materials are used in building the liner. Also, most liners have arsenic which is very toxic to most animals and plants even though they are in small quantities.
Exposure
The level of exposure your product will be under is also a factor you need to consider. Knowing where your new product will be always exposed to ultraviolet rays is one very important factor you need to start from. Sometimes the liner can be covered using cement so exposure to the sun might not be a problem. If you stay in an area where the sun shines longer and better, you may have to consider this.
Flexibility
Users need their liners to be very free so that they can be arranged in a way that lines up with your pond. Regarding the materials your product is made from, it will have some degree of flexibility. One of the best you can get is the popular kidney bean-shaped or just a free liner which can be manipulated to your required shapes.
What are The Types of Materials Available?
Looking closer at the materials and the components pond liners are made out of, these are the different types to consider.
Reinforced Polyethylene Pond Liners
These types of pond liners also known as PREs are known to be the most durable type of liners you can get in the market. They can’t be pictured easily and they are very solid. They are much thinner compared to the other types and wielding this with heat is allowed. These types of liners can be used for as long as 40 years which is a really long time for durability.
RPEs are known to be easier to install since they are less thin. They also weigh lighter, therefore, you will need to make use of an underpayment. These liners are also safe for the environment and it costs less too.
Their disadvantages include the inability to resist sun rays which makes it useless in sunny areas. You can also prevent this by making use of extra soil or cement.Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Pond Liners
EPDM also is known as Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is much heavier compared to other types of liners, therefore, making it difficult to install or ship around. They can be folded easily just around the corners which is a result of high flexibility. They are also safe and convenient for your fishes and plants around the ponds.
Unlike the first type of liners, these types can’t be welded together but you can easily use tape to attach them. They can puncture very easily but on the good part, they are very resistant to UV light. You will also need an underlayment when installing too.
Polyvinyl Chloride Pond Liners
Polyvinyl Chloride also is known as PVC is another material used in the production of pond liners, lighter than EPDM liners but heavier than RPE. They are the cheapest type of liners. Some types of PVC liners may contain arsenic or any toxic element which would affect the plants and the fishes in the weather negatively.
They are often installed with plasticizers to add to the maneuverability which would crack. This feature makes it very dangerous to Mother Nature. They are led to be punctured unlike the other types of liners. They do not resist sun rays and they don’t last as long as other types of liners.
1. Anjon LifeGuard 45 Mil EPDM
- Material: EPDM
- Available Sizes: 8 ft. x 10 ft. – 20 ft. x 30 ft.
- Thickness: 45-mil
Key Features and My Experience
The Anjon Lifeguard EPDM liner from LifeGuard gives users anything that is being gotten from a quality pond liner. It is made with EPDM rubber which is known to be very flexible thus making it a breeze to work with. Users can shape it into anything they desire. This makes it the perfect choice for koi ponds, artificial ponds, and wildlife ponds. It features a thickness of about 45 mils and at the same time, it is very hard or resistant to puncture. So bye to every sharp rock and sharp object which may come as an artificial or natural phenomenon.
Also talking about protection, this LifeGuard Pond liner can stand up to UV radiation from sunlight as well as any agent of weathering too. This makes it very durable lasting more than most of the other products on this list. It doesn’t require constant maintenance and repair.
These toxic components make it a bit hard and bottle. These cracks can easily be found on any pond liner with this toxic component. It is also safe for the environment meaning that it won’t harm any plants or fishes found in or near the pond.
My Overall Impression
While this liner is a good and amazing product, it owes that to the fact of being made out of rubber and extremely heavy, which makes it much costlier. Before you purchase this product, ensure that you are ready to go through the installation process, and also you are willing to spend money to cover the purchasing cost.
- It can withstand weathering and UV rays from the sun.
- It has a desirable thickness.
- It is easy to work with and install.
- It is safe for aquatic life.
- It doesn’t contain a plasticizer that makes the liner brittle.
- It is Puncture and brittleness proof.
- It is quite expensive.
2. TotalPond pond skins
- Material: PVC
- Available Sizes: 7 ft. x 10 ft. – 13 ft. x 20 ft.
- Thickness: 14.5-mil
Key Features and My Experience
If you want to build a medium-sized fountain or a pond, this product from TotalPond is one of the best products you can get. It is a high-quality liner that is made of PVC integrated with a polyester weave amongst the layers of the Polyvinyl Chloride material making it resistant to sun rays and also punctures. This pond liner can be able to hold up to 1,000 gallons of water.
This product is also light in weight and as well flexible to use, it weighs 30% less than most pond liners made out of PVC materials so installation would be very easy for users who purchase it. The construction is also high quality and the dark/black color gives it an attractive view merging with the pond’s natural environment.
My Overall Impression
The company also gives users a list of sizes they can pick from but if you purchase a size bigger than the size of the pond you want to use it on, you can adjust the size to fit the hole and if the product you bought is too small, you can join multiple products together to get a bigger pond. I recommend this product.
- It has a high-quality value for the money.
- It is used in heavy construction.
- It is flexible as well as durable.
- It is easy to set up.
- It is resistant to weather conditions and sunlight.
- It is impossible to differentiate the right side up.
3. Aquascape PRO Grade EPDM 45 Mil Liner for Pond
- Material: EPDM
- Available Sizes: 8 ft. x 10 ft. – 20 ft. x 25 ft.
- Thickness: 45-mil
Key Features and My Experience
For this item, we have an Aquascape 45 mil EPDM liner which acts as a coating or membrane to retain water in waterfalls, ponds, and similar water structures. The company that produced this product has a history of quality and reliability which makes its products an ideal choice for most homeowners or pond owners.
It has a sturdy quality which is durable measuring only 45 mils thick without giving up its feasibility or stretchiness. This is perfect for easy installation. You can just install it without using any tools. It resists UV rays from the sun as well as oxidation and ozone.
This liner is suitable for the environment and it is safe for both fishes and other aquatic life or animals. The company guaranteed its product to its customers.
My Overall Impression
If you are searching for a liner that is cheap yet high-quality and sturdy, go for the Aquascape Pro Grade 45 mil Pond Liner. Nevertheless, be careful when unwrapping the box and keep an eye out for cuts or tears that can take place during shipping due to poor packaging. It is more important to catch these tears and cuts before setting it up.
- It is very flexible and stretchy.
- It resists harmful agents of weathering.
- It is easy to set up.
- It has a bold thickness.
- It comes with about 20 years of guaranty.
- It is a bit heavy.
- It comes in poor packaging.
4. Firestone W56PL452020 EPDM Pre Cut and Boxed 0.045-Inch
- Material: EPDM
- Available Sizes: 20 ft. x 20 ft.
- Thickness: 45-mil
Key Features and My Experience
If users are looking for a product that would last for years or even a lifetime, they should go for this 45mil EPDM rubber Pond liner from Firestone company. Just as it states in the name, this product has a thickness of up to 45 mil which is the best for a pond liner. Due to the fact it is also made out of EPDM, it is flexible enough to work with regardless of having a high thickness. You can bend, stretch, and make it into any creative shape you want for your pond.
Also, since it is made out of EPDM rubber, you can expect it to be environmentally safe, perfect for aquatic life around your pond site. It, therefore, would not harm your plants’ fish as well as amphibian life found around the area of the pond.
Just as I stated above, this product lasts much longer and it is more durable than most of the liners you will get to see in the market. So if you want something that lasts long, this is the best option for you right now.
My Overall Impression
This durable firestone pond liner is one that I have never seen before. It is so sturdy and thick that you would know the protection is really guaranteed. Although this made the product to be very heavy with little help you can move it to your desired location. I recommend.
- It is very durable and it lasts longer than any pond liner compared with.
- It is easy to work with and install.
- It is very flexible and has the ability to stretch.
- It has a good thickness layer.
- It is perfect for the environment in terms of safety.
- It is a bit heavy.
5. PondGard 15 x 15 Firestone 45 Mil
- Material: EPDM
- Available Sizes: 15 ft. x 15 ft.
- Thickness: 45-mil
Key Features and My Experience
One of the best to do it in the game just as I stated above is firestone and this company has created a legacy in the production of pond liners. Also being one of the best in the tire industry, this company provides a very durable pond liner to its customers making it a very reliable and durable type. This EPDM liner from Firestone comes in various sizes and is very affordable compared to most of the liners on this list. With that as an advantage, the company also offers a 25-year warranty which proves the product is durable.
This liner is tough and it can withstand extreme temperatures as well as UV light coming from the sun. It is also flexible meaning you can shape it into anything to suit your pond’s environment. One thing I didn’t really like about this liner is the fact that it is 1.14 mm thick which makes it very light and easy to install but you would sacrifice its lightness for the ability to puncture easily. Therefore you need to use a tough underlay when installing it.
My Overall Impression
My team was really impressed with this pond liner. It has proven to be very sturdy and strong, it looked like something that would really go on for 25 years without giving up. Of course, it is very safe and I do recommend this product.
- It is very durable and tough.
- It comes with a 25 years warranty.
- It is light in weight.
- It is easy to shape and install.
- It is safe for the environment.
- It can easily puncture.
6. Billboard Tarps Vinyl Pond Liner 20 oz. 22 mil Heavy Duty Black Tarp
- Material: EPDM
- Available Sizes: 20 ft. x 20 ft.
- Thickness: 22-mil
Key Features and My Experience
This Vinyl pond liners from Billboard Tarps is heavy-duty as well as having up to 3-plus or coated vinyl. This makes it tear-resistant, anti-mildew, and also tough protection from UV rays. This liner is totally waterproof and it is environmentally safe for both fishes as well as plants and other aquatic creatures and bacterias.
It is known to be thick as 22 mills but it is not as thick as most products on this list which measure 45 mils. Since it is not as thick as most pond liners, this gives it the ability to be flexible and easily shaped into the desired nature of the pond.
It also comes in various sizes so you can just purchase the desired size you want. One thing I loved about this tarp liner as a pond liner is that it is very affordable. The only fact I don’t like in this product is how thin the material is, therefore, it may not be as durable as most of the liners on my list. It may also need underlayment to protect your liner from sharp rocks and stones alike.
My Overall Impression
This product is available in a range of sizes and it can be adjusted too to fit any size of the pond below the size of the constructed pond. Even if you don’t get the needed size, you can also join various sizes to get the required space you want. If you are looking for something that isn’t hard on the pockets, I suggest you go for this. It is less expensive compared to EPDM rubber and it is also much easier to install.
- It is cheap.
- It is a heavy-duty tarp coated with 3-ply vinyl.
- It comes with UV protection.
- It is environmentally safe.
- It is waterproof.
- It is very thin compared to some other pond liners.
7. Firestone W56PL451015 EPDM, 10 x 15 Feet x 0.045-Inch
- Material: EPDM
- Available Sizes: 10 ft. x 15 ft.
- Thickness: 45-mil
Key Features and My Experience
If you are financially stable or you have extra cash to spend, you might want to get one of the best products by looking into this Firestone pond liner with product number W56PL451015. This liner is known to be about 0.045 inches thick which makes it a perfect candidate for different types of fountains, water gardens, and ponds. This product is made out of ethylene propylene diene monomer which is a synthetic fiber that is known to be durable. This also makes installation easy without any mistakes.
When it comes to protection, firestone did a number on this one. I liked the fact that this product is resistant to sun rays or otherwise known as UV rays.
The surface is also textured, encouraging positive bacterial growth while hindering build-ups from substances like algae.
My Overall Impression
Want to keep a really healthy pond, this product can help satisfy your pond needs. Over the landscape and pond community, the accumulation of optimistic reviews has led to the fact of how good this product is. This pond liner is thick and built to last. Although it is a bit inexpensive, the quality of this liner would satisfy your needs. If you have little to spare, you can go for this product.
- It is very durable.
- It is UV resistant as well as resistant to mold buildup.
- It is easy to fix or install.
- It is environmentally safe.
- It is a bit expensive.
- It comes in only one size.
8. AQUANIQUE Pond Skin Pond Liner, 13 by 20-Feet
- Material: PVC
- Available Sizes: 7 ft. x 10 ft. – 13 ft. x 20 ft.
- Thickness: 14.5-mil
Key Features and My Experience
Measuring about 13 x 20 feet, this pond liner from Aquanique is suitable and needed for larger types of ponds that hold up to 1200 gallons of water. It is made entirely out of PVC and it has one of the least thicknesses you can find on the list, 14.5 miles. Due to these attributes, it is very light in weight and very easy to install; both these features get sacrificed for its durability. Although it also offers some level of durability too.
This pond liner is protection-oriented, it is totally UV resistant meaning it can’t be destroyed by the harsh conditions of the sun. The durability of this pond liner is at least prominent, it has a polyester weave which is placed within the layers of the PVC materials it was made with. It is also environmentally safe, the surface has a texture that helps promote the growth of bacteria thus providing a balanced ecosystem within the pond. The only disadvantage when it comes to this Aquanique liner is that during installation, due to the fact it is very thin, it would be proven to be hard to get wrinkles out of it.
My Overall Impression
Our team loved this product because it has an led eco-friendly design that compliments the pond you are going to use it on. This product was made with fauna and flora in mind. The textured surface can support organisms and aquatic life. It can also be used in koi ponds as well, I recommend this product.
- It is suitable for large ponds.
- It is very light in weight and a bit durable.
- It is resistant to UV rays.
- It has a textured surface that promotes bacterial growth.
- It is easy to work with.
- It is too thin therefore it would be hard to get the wrinkles out.
9. Firestone PondGard 45 Mil 20 x 25-Feet EPDM Pond Liner
- Material: EPDM
- Available Sizes: 720 ft. x 25 ft.
- Thickness: 45-mil
Key Features and My Experience
This Firestone PondGard was built for larger sizes of the pond so you do not need to buy several small liners to join together. There is also an underlayment included for extra protection and with this pond liner, your pond is virtually safe and healthy over the next few years. It is environmentally friendly as well as very strong and your pond deserves this pond liner.It is made out of a matching non-woven Geotextile underlayment which is made out of a polypropylene fiver filament joined by heat and needle so that water can not pass through giving it that waterproof features. With the combination of this underlayment, this product would be able to function very well compared to most products on this list so users need not worry about leaking or any tears.
It is also resistant to sun rays as well as other agents of weathering.
My Overall Impression
If you own a large area of a pond, You would be excited to know that this pond liner is suitable and durable for you. Due to the size, it won’t really cost you a lot of money, time, and energy too. Not only that it is resistant to puncture, but it is also so durable and waterproof giving you all the features required from a pond liner.
- It is suitable for larger ponds.
- It already comes with a matching underlayment.
- It is resistant to UV rays.
- It is environmentally safe.
- Without the size in mind, this product is known to be expensive.
10. POND BOSS 032287 Pvc10X13 Pond Skins Liner, 10 13-Feet
- Material: PVC
- Available Sizes: 10 ft. x 13 ft.
- Thickness: 14.5-mil
Key Features and My Experience
Due to the recent online positive reviews of this pond liner, it is a way to explore new and affordable pond liners. This pond liner from pond boss comes in various sizes for various types of ponds. This product is very sturdy since it is very thick, it can take a lot of roughing up without getting spoilt. Although they are very thick, they are made to weigh very light and they are made from a strong polyester weave which is combined with PVC to get this lovely combination. This means they would weigh 30% less than the traditional 20-millimeter liner but also as strong as it.
This pond liner is safe for the environment and it contains no toxic chemicals that would hinder the growth of your pond bacteria; this helps create the perfect home for your pond plants and fishes.
My Overall Impression
This pond boss liner is one of the best types of liners you can come across. It is affordable, durable, and comes with about 20 years of warranty. It is safe for your pond so you have no worries. I recommend it.
- The thickness measures about 45 millimeters.
- It is very easy to set up.
- It is resistant to UV rays.
- It is safe for the environment.
- It comes with a 20-year warranty.
- It needs an underlayment for protection.
Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | Material | Available Sizes | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anjon LifeGuard Pond Liner | EPDM | 8 ft. x 10 ft. - 20 ft. x 30 ft. | 45-mil |
| TotalPond pond skins | PVC | 7 ft. x 10 ft. - 13 ft. x 20 ft. | 14.5-mil |
| Aquascape PRO Grade | EPDM | 8 ft. x 10 ft. - 20 ft. x 25 ft. | 45-mil |
| Firestone W56PL452020 EPDM | EPDM | 20 ft. x 20 ft. | 45-mil |
| PondGard 15 x 15 Firestone 45 Mil | EPDM | 15 ft. x 15 ft. | 45-mil |
| Billboard Tarps Vinyl Pond Liner | EPDM | 20 ft. x 20 ft. | 22-mil |
| Firestone W56PL451015 | EPDM | 10 ft. x 15 ft. | 45-mil |
| AQUANIQUE Pond Skin Pond Liner | PVC | 7 ft. x 10 ft. - 13 ft. x 20 ft. | 14.5-mil |
| Firestone PondGard 45 Mil | EPDM | 20 ft. x 25 ft. | 45-mil |
| POND BOSS 032287 Pvc10X13 | PVC | 10 ft. x 13 ft. | 14.5-mil |
Calculating the Right Amount of Liner Needed
To know the correct type and size of pond lining you need, you need to do a quick calculation. You can make these in units such as yards, inches, meters, or even feet. These would help you know how to place these liners and the type of overlapping needed during installation.
- Necessary Liner Length = Length of pond + 2(depth of pond) + 2
- Necessary Liner Width = Width of pond + 2(depth of pond) + 2
Understanding Underlays
Underlays are very important when building a pond. They are placed down before one can put their liner down. Their purpose is to add protection from below as well as above in case the water pressure is too much or a stone tries to puncture the liner unit. Underlining is very important and crucial to the pond’s structural integrity.
These also help users guard their ponds against damaging dangers like roots that would grow underneath your pond. They may not be an issue now but they might surely grow to later puncture the side of the pond liner. An effective underlay would help shield the liner from these dangers and problems.
Conclusion
Any of these pond liners can help you create a suitable pond or fountain. Just as stated, PVC is light in weight and it is much easier to work with but last shorter top. EPDM is made specifically for professionals or bigger ponds. If you are building a pond that can hold up to 200-400 gallons, a PVC liner would be the best bet to start with but if you can also go with the vinyl and EPDM, that would still be on the advantage.
1. Wikipedia
2. The Spruce
3. HomeAdvisor
