If you are interested in having a decorative garden pond, or a fish pond, then you will first need to install pond liners. This is not an uncommon practice among many home owners. After all, water gardens and other landscape ponds are becoming extremely popular these days. It is no wonder. Fish pond liners provide a great way to spruce up your pond, as well as providing privacy and safety for you and your family.
If you are going with a plastic landscape pond liner, you will need to purchase one of two different products: round pond liners or a square pond liner. Round pond liners are generally more expensive, but they are also more difficult to install. The installation process involves putting the rubber liner on your pond. Then, you will have to add concrete to the bottom and sides of the pond in order to set the pond liners into position.
Square pond liners are easier to install, but they are more expensive. Square pond liners are more expensive because they are made of a hard plastic that gives your lake a more “fish friendly” appearance. However, this type of plastic is still relatively fragile and can easily be damaged by a child playing around in the lake.
Some people prefer the look of a soft rubber liner. If so, there are a couple of options. First, there is latex, which is a clear, powdery type of rubber. However, latex pond liners can be very messy, since the powdery version spreads out along the entire surface of your pond.
Second, some people like to use polyethylene. Polyethylene is a white plastic similar to polypropylene, which is also used in making large plastic food containers. The main difference is that polyethylene pond liners are much more durable than either koi pond liner or rectangle pond liners. They may be more expensive, but they are also less likely to be damaged. If you have a little more money to spend, you might consider purchasing an aluminized polyethylene liner.
Finally, there are new liners on the market that are called “kelp”. These liners are available only in round shapes (or oblong, if you prefer). This makes them especially nice for preformed ponds. They are very tough and resist even the most extreme conditions. In addition, they are much easier to install than the other two options.
As with any product, there are both advantages and disadvantages. For smaller ponds, and preformed ponds, the fiberglass pond liner is the most cost effective. For larger ponds, or ponds that need to be dug, the kettle’s liner may be the best solution. However, if you are planning to use the kettles in the colder months, or want extra security, then you will probably want to consider either preform pond liners, or the new polyethylene coated pond liners.
Polyethylene has many benefits. Unlike fiberglass or liner liners, it is more weather resistant. It is more durable than the other options and requires no sealing. The only drawback to using this type of liner is that it can be heavy, causing the liner to be subject to tipping over. It is important to follow the instructions carefully when using a polyethylene water pond liner patch, as it is not recommended to be applied to shallow water garden ponds.
In addition to being light-weight, polyethylene is also more versatile than other pond liners. Some preformed pond liners can be used with all of the popular garden pond products such as waterfalls, water pumps, electricity-powered lighting and garden pond aerators. Polyethylene can be cut to custom lengths, which allows for greater customization. For smaller ponds, a standard vinyl liner may work well, but it does not have the added ability to withstand larger animals and other garden pond items. Another downside to preformed pond liners is that it is more susceptible to punctures.
For the more mechanically inclined or do it yourself, pre formed pond liners are available in both rectangle and round shapes. These two options allow for greater freedom in design and installation. For smaller ponds, a rectangular liner may be more suitable. For larger garden pond projects, or waterfalls, a round shaped liner is recommended.
The benefits of using a prefabricated plastic pond liner design are varied. For small water gardens, where more attention is given to appearance, the use of a prefabricated plastic liner can save money and time. Ponds with only a few fish can still be very beautiful with the use of modern prefabricated plastic pond liners. Using these liners in larger water gardens with multiple fish or water features can save on installation time and cost. With the economy in our country, saving time and money are a top priority – especially now that so many American consumers are trying to cut back on expenses.