Building a Pond: Preformed Ponds Vs Liner

So you've decided you want to build a garden pond, one of the first things you'll need to decide is how you want to line your water feature.

Pond liners and Preformed ponds are the two most common methods used to line garden ponds. Below, we will discuss both options Pros and Cons, and hopefully answer your questions along the way.

1) Preformed Ponds:

Pros:

• Easy to install

• Made from robust UV resistant materials

• Have planting shelves already

• Easy to maintain

Cons:

• Typically only come up to 1000L in size

• Not suitable for a lot of fish

• Limited in shapes available

• Common for people to upgrade to something bigger eventually

• You can’t expand a preformed pond once it’s already in place. The only way to increase the size of your pond is to build a second one and link them with a waterfall.

2) Pond Liner

Pros:

• Manufactured using robust, durable materials such as EPDM Rubber and PVC, which can last up to 30 years.

• You can design the pond in any shape you choose, including curved edges, varying depths, and shelving around the pond’s edge. If you decide to change the shape of your pond down the track, you can drain the pond and move the liner around.

• Inexpensive

• UV resistant

Cons:

• Installing a pond liner requires more time and effort than a preformed pond.

• Large pieces of liner can be heavy, so you may require help keeping the liner in place as you manipulate it to fit the shape of the pond.

In Summary:

Both options offer excellent solutions to both new and experienced pond keepers. Here at Pond Hobby, where we are open to the public, we stock a wide variety of PVC and EPDM pond liners as well as a several various Preformed ponds. Whether you’re starting your first pond, or extending an existing feature, we want to hear from you, our experienced team are here to guide you through every step of your pond journey!