Backyards
Front Yards
Building Ponds
Liners for garden pond constructionWhen it comes to pond construction the main decision that needs to be made is what type of liner will be used. There are three basic pond liner options: flexible liners, preformed liners and poured concrete. Before building a pond, carefully compare the options to determine which construction method best suits your yard and pond design.
| Flexible Liner: | Preformed Liners: | Poured Concrete: |
|---|---|---|
|
$ |
$$ |
$$$ |
|
Great for informal ponds |
Great for formal & informal ponds |
Great for formal ponds |
|
Limitless sizes |
Limited sizes available |
Limitless sizes |
|
Limitless shapes |
Limited shapes available |
Limitless shapes |
Flexible Liner
A flexible liner can be cut to any size or shape, making them especially suited for building natural water gardens. Natural water gardens have irregular shorelines, as well as differing widths and depths. A seamless piece of flexible liner can be laid across the entire floor of the pond and it will conform to the excavated shape.
Flexible liners are the most affordable pond construction method. However, they do require careful installation to avoid tearing holes in the liner.
Preformed Liners
Preformed pond liners are a rigid fiberglass or plastic shell that can be used for the construction of sunken or raised ponds. The number one attraction of preformed liners is that they make the pond building process easier because they are quick and easy to install.
In comparison to flexible liners preformed ponds are more limited when it comes to size and design. Common shape options include circular, rectangular, kidney and some free form or natural designs. If you want to grow aquatic plants in your pond get a preformed liner with large planting shelves.
Poured Concrete
Poured concrete is a great option for formal or modern ponds because it can be used to create straight and well-defined edges. Additionally, concrete can be colored with an internal pigment to make the water in the pond appear darker or lighter.
The construction of a concrete pond requires a high level of expertise. The concrete must be mixed and poured in a precise manner to ensure that cracks do not develop. Furthermore, a concrete pond must be sealed properly to keep lime from entering the water and harming fish.
