Necessary and sufficient, or How not to make mistakes when choosing materials to create a pond

Which brand of pond film is best to choose?

When choosing a manufacturer, you should give preference to trusted companies that have been on the market for a long time, have many positive reviews and have an adequate pricing policy. The companies whose products are considered in this rating can be classified as just such companies. Some enterprises are represented here with two products at once.

The five leading companies in the market of manufacturers of waterproofing films for the construction of artificial reservoirs are the following companies:

• Polinet is a company that produces high-quality film for household and construction needs. It is characterized by high strength, resistance to UV rays and low temperatures, and a good degree of elongation. On average, its service life is 20 years, which is easily explained by the wear resistance of the products. The manufacturer's waterproofing membranes are sold in convenient rolls and can be cut depending on the required quantity.
• Anikom - the company produces geomembrane types HDPE (HDPE) and LDPE (LDPE) to create good insulation in artificial ponds. It is widely used in reservoirs intended for both fish farming and swimming. The company's products have excellent tear resistance, retain their appearance well over time and are easy to install.
• Firestone Building Products is a manufacturer of waterproofing materials, including those for artificial ponds of small, medium and large sizes. Its membranes are noted on the market as elastic, durable, easy to install, environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Here we are talking about butyl rubber products, which last an average of 15 years, and are guaranteed for up to 10 years. In this rating, the company is represented by EPDM films Pond Liner Carlisle and Pondgard.
• Oase is a German supplier of premium equipment for fountains, pools and ponds. Its films come in different thicknesses and a large selection of sizes. The manufacturer guarantees the possibility of reusing materials and safe disposal of no longer needed products. The company's canvases are recognized as waterproof and wear-resistant, withstand low and high temperatures, and retain their aesthetic appearance for a long time. The brand's waterproofing materials Steinfolie granit-grau and AlfaFol are included in the rating.
• Ergis - the company offers to buy butyl rubber film and other types of it for the pond. Their key differences are high strength, resistance to mechanical damage, chemical reagents and impurities in water, resistance to heavy loads and temperature changes. The company's products withstand exposure to both heat and sun. The elasticity of the brand’s materials allows you to create ponds of various, even the most complex shapes. They do not contain dangerous toxins that could kill fish in the pond. Due to their environmental friendliness, Ergis products are also safe for people and the environment.

Each of the companies in the list above promises a long service life of their products (from 10 years) and always provides a guarantee of at least 2-3 years.

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Rating of the best pond films

When preparing this TOP, the reference points were user reviews and advice from professionals. Before adding products to the rating, many parameters were taken into account - safety and environmental friendliness, ease of use, versatility of products, aesthetic appearance of finished reservoirs, price-quality ratio of products.

The key characteristics that influenced selection into the rating were:

• Materials – PVC, polyethylene, butyl rubber, with gravel;
• Thickness, length and width of the canvases;
• Maximum possible pressure;
• Temperature range;
• Non-slip surface;
• Color;
• Stretchability;
• Resistance to UV rays and microorganisms;
• Possibility of installation on various types of surfaces - soil, concrete, etc.;
• Reaction of fish and plants in a finished reservoir;
• The quality of gluing various segments.

Also an important selection criterion was the service life of the products declared by the manufacturers and the duration of the warranty on them.

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Coatings made of reinforced liquid rubber (liquid polymers)

The most modern type of coating, which allows you to quickly make a solid and reliable bowl of any configuration.

Liquid rubber is laid in layers without forming folds. It is environmentally friendly and resistant to external influences: the resulting elastic material is almost impossible to damage during operation.

The service life of liquid rubber is 30-50 years.

The disadvantages of such a waterproofing coating include the high cost and the need for professional installation.

The best plastic films for ponds

This material is advantageous in that it has a high stretch coefficient - up to 300%, which allows you to create reservoirs of very decent size and considerable depth. On average, it can withstand a pressure of 2 kPa, its thickness ranges from approximately 0.5 to 1.2 mm, and its length varies between 25-50 m. It accounts for the largest selection on the market; in the same category, the 3 best polyethylene films for construction of artificial ponds.

Polinet 200 microns technical specifications

This is a technical polyethylene film intended for vapor barrier, but it is also successfully used to create artificial ponds in the garden as one of the layers. It is sold in a roll 100 m long, which allows you to make a fairly large pond, but its width in this case is limited to 3 m. The material is quite dense, does not tear and can withstand exposure to large amounts of water. The product reliably holds it in the pit due to its high strength and does not pose a danger to fish and plants due to its environmental friendliness.

Polinet 200 micron film perfectly retains its elasticity and original appearance for many years, in particular, due to its thickness of 200 microns, and therefore can be reused. Its use reduces the likelihood of water rotting and blooming, and prevents the appearance of an unpleasant odor. It also creates an effective barrier to harmful microorganisms and makes pond maintenance much easier.

Advantages

• Almost invisible at the bottom;
• Wide range of applications;
• Good density;
• Excellent resistance to mechanical stress;
• Not very slippery.

Flaws

• Not detected.

Anikom black 1000 microns, 8x10 m

Anikom film is made on the basis of premium polyethylene with the addition of components that increase its service life. It does not contain dangerous components that harm the environment, fish and plants in the reservoir. It withstands both cold and UV rays and can be used at temperatures from -60 to +60°C. The material is super elastic, has a good margin of strength and is resistant to mechanical damage, and has excellent wear resistance. Thanks to this, the product retains its aesthetic appearance for a long time.

Advantages

• Shelf life – about 70 years;
• Suitable for both hydro- and vapor barrier;
• Good density – 1000 g/m2;
• Creates a reliable insulating layer;
• Considerable dimensions - 10x9 m;
• Excellent thickness – 1000 microns.

Flaws

• Weighs 70 kg.

Advantages of film for artificial reservoirs

Pond care is not a simple technical process. A good insulating coating can save you a lot of hassle. What kind of quality coating is it for swimming pools, ponds, reservoirs and artificial lakes?

Modern manufacturers of insulation materials have invented a reliable waterproofing material that has a lot of advantages:

• An environmentally friendly product, which means that it will not harm the environment or people;
• Reasonable price;
• Large selection of colors and patterns;
• Significant resistance to mechanical and chemical damage;
• High quality material can last up to 50 years;
• Easy and convenient to use when decorating an artificial pond.

Agree that these listed advantages are enough to pay attention to such a material as film insulator. Among owners of suburban areas and landscape designers, pond film has become widely known

This material is not at all difficult to work with.

Naturalness comes first

Any body of water begins with a pit. Then a purchased polymer solid bowl is installed or a concrete one is poured. The polymer bowl has its pros and cons. Among the disadvantages, we will primarily mention the tendency to damage and the stamped shape. Therefore, if you have the physical and material opportunity, give preference to a concrete pond. This is a more durable material, and a concrete bowl provides more opportunities for further decorative transformation of the reservoir.

Film covering with concrete filling of the pond

To prevent concrete from crumbling due to exposure to moisture over time, it is lined with tiles, glass mosaics or even marble. But, if we are talking about an artificial pond, then it will only lose from this. Ponds in the garden are erected with the goal of getting closer to nature, and not to emphasize the man-made nature of the design.

Therefore, the relatively new method of film waterproofing helps to cope with this problem. The coating will be smooth, but at the same time will not emphasize the unnaturalness of the reservoir.

Film coating can be divided into three types:

Ultra-thin coating is a film up to 1 mm;

• Ultra-durable coating is a film of 1.5 mm and above;
• Having air bags - a durable coating with air cushions that prevent injuries when falling.

These films are commercially available in both black and all sorts of bright colors. Just look at the names: Blue Lagoon, Golden Sand, White Pearl.

Best Butyl Rubber Films for Ponds

The key differences of this material are: low probability of integrity damage, the ability to equip large reservoirs, long service life (about 50 years), ease of installation and environmental safety for the environment, people, flora and fauna. When using it, you can populate a reservoir with fish and other living organisms. This category describes two of the best inexpensive pond films according to buyers.

Firestone Pondgard

This film is sold by the meter, and not, like many manufacturers, in rolls, and the price is indicated just per meter. It has an optimal thickness of 1.02 mm and increased strength, which allows it to confidently withstand mechanical stress, for example, when cleaning the bottom. The product is quite easy to care for, since the material does not change its color and structure when in contact with chemicals. If necessary, this model can be easily cut.

Advantages

• Excellent stretch - up to 300%;
• Maintains elasticity at temperatures down to -45 degrees;
• It is possible to combine film segments;
• Effective on various types of surface - soil, concrete, clay, etc.;
• Nice gray color.

Flaws

• Not detected.

The manufacturer promises a service life of the Firestone Pondgard membrane of 50 years, which is quite realistic given such good resistance of the product to ultraviolet rays and low temperatures.

GeoEPDM Pond Liner Carlisle

The GeoEPDM Pond Liner membrane creates a waterproofing layer of decent thickness, ensuring that the entire volume of water in the pit is retained for a long time. A pond made with its help can be used for breeding fish and growing aquatic plants. Swimming is also allowed in it during the warm season.

The considerable dimensions of the canvas do not require gluing and reduce working time. However, if the need arises, the procedure can be performed without special equipment. This material perfectly retains its appearance due to its resistance to low temperatures, ozone, acids and UV rays.

Advantages

• Low price;
• Service life – at least 25 years;
• Easy installation;
• Can be used with any water, including drinking water;
• Good resistance to impacts even of great force;
• Impermeable to water vapor.

Flaws

• Sold in standardized sizes.

Reviews of this film for a pond show that this membrane is mainly used to create an insulating layer on the ground surface.

Selection rules

When choosing a film for arranging a pond, you need to take into account not only the decorative features of the material

It is equally important to correctly calculate the waterproofing consumption and take into account some of its operational features

When calculating material consumption, it is necessary to include some reserve. In general, the following formulas should be used:

• film length = pond length + 2 depths + allowances of 30-50 cm on each side;
• film width = reservoir width + 2 depths + allowances of 30-50 cm on each side.

As for performance characteristics, the most important criterion influencing the selection of film thickness is the conditions in which the reservoir will be used. Here the following factors must be taken into account:

• the more uneven and bumpy the bottom is, the thicker the film base should be;
• when the depth of an artificial reservoir is less than 1 m, a film 0.5 mm thick will be sufficient;
• for reservoirs with a depth of 1-2 m, it is better to take the material in a layer of 1 mm;
• for artificial reservoirs with a depth of more than 2 meters, preference should be given to butyl rubber film.

The choice of base material can also be influenced by the complexity of the shape of the garden pond, the presence of elevation changes, and the presence of waterfalls and fountains. In addition, you need to think in advance whether the pond will be used for breeding live fish or swimming.

Best PVC Films for Ponds

Such products are most often chosen if you want to save money, since they are an inexpensive option. Unlike analog materials from our TOP, its service life is about 15 years. The main material for the manufacture of the membrane is polyvinyl chloride. Here are two of our top picks in this category, chosen for their versatility and ease of use.

AlfaFol Oase

AlfaFol Oase polyvinyl chloride film is relevant for creating a pond or pool of both small and large sizes, thanks to a maximum roll width of 10 m and a length of 20 m, although smaller parameters can be selected if necessary. It is easy to install and, if necessary, can be glued together without any problems with special glue.

The manufacturer offers material of various thicknesses - 0.5, 0.8 and 1 mm, depending on the size and depth of the reservoir. It is made from pure PVC, without the addition of cadmium and other similar components, which increases the service life of the product.

Advantages

• Good resistance to UV radiation;
• Does not deteriorate from exposure to rainwater;
• Available in two colors – olive and black;
• Does not decompose;
• Frost-resistant - can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees;
• Does not harm plants in the pond.

Flaws

• Not detected.

Reviews say that to create a pool effect, it is better to choose black film; it reflects UV rays well. Regardless of the shade, even children can splash in a pond with a bottom lined with it.

Ergis PVC 1.0 mm

...Users prefer to buy this PVC pond liner largely due to its service life of approximately 40 years, which does not decrease when using such waterproofing even in harsh conditions...

Expert opinion

First of all, this film is intended for large reservoirs up to 4 m deep; in such operating conditions, its thickness of 1 mm is considered optimal. It adequately withstands exposure to sunlight and low temperatures, is easy to care for, as it can be cleaned with household chemicals, and is quite elastic. Thanks to the latter, it is possible to install the product in a pit of almost any shape, even a non-standard one. The risk of damage to the canvas is practically eliminated here due to the high strength and density, but if this does happen, it will not be difficult to repair it yourself using a special PVC glue.

Advantages

• Environmentally friendly and safe;
• Immune to microorganisms;
• Reliable connection of seams;
• Can be used in winter;
• Long-term preservation of aesthetic appearance.

Flaws

• At first there is a slight smell.

The best gravel films for ponds

This is a membrane with a silicone base and a coating of stone chips, creating the effect of a natural material. It is especially relevant in garden areas that need to be beautifully decorated. Before adding similar products to the rating, we considered 10 options and, due to safety, ease of operation, long service life and aesthetics of the appearance of the pond, we chose one, the most suitable film for a pond of this type.

Oase Steinfolie granit-grau 0.4×25 m

This is the best film for decorating ponds in the garden. It gives the pond an aesthetic appearance and allows you not to cover the material from the outside. To do this, its surface is coated with silicone, and the second layer is made of crumbs that imitate stone. In this case, the effect is plausible, but, naturally, it is difficult to call this option successful for equipping swimming ponds due to the lack of a comfortable smooth surface for the feet. In all other respects, it is not inferior to conventional membranes - it is also environmentally friendly, resistant to UV rays and temperature changes.

Advantages

• Environmental friendliness of materials;
• Long service life;
• Easy installation;
• Supplied in rolls for easy transportation;
• Beautiful gray color;
• The width is 4 m.

Flaws

• Not a low price.