Knowing which pond liner is considered to be a high quality pond liner, how much to order and where to buy are questions many aspiring garden pond owners want an answer to. It is also about the financial outlay and getting the best value for your spend.

A high quality pond liner will play a vital role in the containment of water particularly for those built on porous ground. A pond liner manufactured from synthetic rubber material is considered high quality. Should they tear or get punctured, they can be repaired without too much disruption to the pond. Although, this will depend where in the pond the leak occurs and therefore where the liner is punctured. Synthetic rubber pond liners, Butyl and Epalyn (also know as EPDM) are available to order from a number of pond supply websites and garden centres. Pond liners can be purchased according to your own set of dimensions or you can select from pre-cut pond liner kits.

Which high quality pond liner to order?

Butyl and Epalyn rubber pond liners (EPDM) are considered to be the best on the market based on the following features:

• Display excellent properties of both durability and flexibility which means they can be readily manipulated into various pond shapes and sizes
• They are better for cool climates and have superior UV resistance
• High expansion and contraction characteristics that enable it to conform to objects below the pond
• Should earth movement occur, such as settling, Epalyn high elongation properties will enable it to stretch
• Very stable in extreme temperatures and other environmental conditions
• Easy to repair either of these materials (although damage is minimal when installed above a protective underlay)
• Epalyn and Butyl feel and perform in a very similar way
• Non-toxic to fish and other pond inhabitants
• Kind to the environment as they don’t leach chemicals into the ground

The technical difference, however between Epalyn and Butyl is the polymer. To be called Butyl the sheet must contain more than 50% butyl polymer. The polymer is the ingredient that makes the sheet elastic. In most pond grade Butyl there is usually a percentage of EPDM polymer mixed in. Epalyn, however is made with 100% EPDM polymer. EPDM polymer is more readily used around the world in a range of industries as well as for lining ponds and it is generally cheaper.

If you are planning to build an ornamental pond whether to house KOI fish or for a display of water lilies then a box-welded pond liner is best suited to this design. Box-welded or tailored-to-fit liners are most frequently fabricated from Epalyn rubber liner material. The main advantage of this type of liner is that it fits perfectly into a vertically-sided formal pond design without any creases or folds thereby creating a neat finish.

For Koi enthusiasts wanting to build an formal shaped Koi pond, Liners Online pond liner supplier will need the exact dimensions of your pond to fabricate a box-welded pond liner for a snug fit.

For all other creative pond designs we supply flat sheet pond liners and have a pond liner size calculator on our website to help customers with measurements.

Liners Online have more than thirty years experience in the water containment and waterproofing industry so can offer support and expert advice on garden pond construction as well as pond liner installation.  

The use of a flexible pond liner offers design flexibility. They allow you to create a pond that works well with your surrounding garden landscape. A preformed fibreglass mould allows you to create a garden pond just as easily but are generally a more expensive way to achieve a stunning water feature in your garden. The real benefit of a pond liner is that you can expand the size of your pond at a later date if you so choose or you can add features such as a waterfall or bottom drain.

Want to build a wildlife pond in your garden with a beached are and planting shelves? All that can be achieved with a rubber pond liner. The design flexibility offered means that you can create easy access for wildlife. Your pond liner is also likely to last more than 25 years.

Flat sheet pond liners offers the flexibility to build a pond that suits your requirements. Types to choose from include Epalyn (EPDM rubber), Butyl and PVC. Overall, pond liners made of rubber are recommended, as they are more durable, resistant to extreme weather conditions and easy to work with. 

Butyl pond liners can withstand the severity of both frost and UV radiation. Although thicker than the PVC pond liners, Butyl is still remarkably flexible and easy to use. Butyl is ideal for larger installations due to its much tougher qualities.

Epalyn pond liners are also more rugged than PVC liners. They are better for cool climates and offers UV resistance and has high expansion as well as contraction characteristics. Epalyn can be obtained in various”grades” (thicknesses).

Unlike preformed ponds, rubber pond liners can be easily shaped to fit the contours of the pond shape, allowing for a more unique design. Once a rubber pond liner has been installed correctly, it will require little or no regular maintenance. 

For a lined pond, it is also wise to invest in a protective underlay, which acts as cushioning material between the pond liner and the surface of your pond excavation. Before buying your pond liner and and underlay make sure you know the exact pond liner size required.

When building a pond it really is all down to choice and wether you want a more natural looking pond build that you are likely to take on as a growing hobby.

A few tips to keep you occupied during the summer months!

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