Creative design and expected results are not the domain of the liner manufacturer (contrary to what most marketing language implies). We can hardly offer practical steps until you decide on dimensions, budget and cover plan. Define those elements first -- then price your liner. Our best available liner won't satisfy if planning omits water table variation, or a moose strolls through your new pond.
Dimensions: What shape will you prepare for liner deployment? How much do you need around the edges for anchoring and aesthetic finish? Is there an inlet stream? Do you want benches to hold plants mid-slope? How will you dig an anchor trench to backfill over the liner edges? Are slopes 3:1 or shallower? Do you want a certain water capacity?
Budget: Are you after plastic sheeting at ten cents a square foot, or ultra-durable reinforced membrane at one dollar a square foot? {Somewhere in between, most likely}. If your decorative pond is smaller than normal roll widths, you may save money. If, on the other hand, you require exactly 21 feet by 32.5 feet, expect a “fabricated” price to furnish you a custom, one-panel sheet of liner. Some liners can be glued or taped, rather than heat welded. Most importantly, have you calculated your costs for soil prep, inlet(s) & outlet, plus liner cover materials? The membrane itself is typically NOT the most expensive phase.
Cover Plan: Do you need a liner able to withstand ultra-violet rays? Will it stay filled over all four seasons? Do you plan to cover the liner with flagstone, gravel, native soil you stock-piled, crusher fines, road base, sand or some kind of screened material? Just as sharp rocks and ruts are not a good idea below your liner (how will you smooth subgrade?), consider the same standards for what contacts the top-side. Will horses, cows, dogs, deer, children, gardeners or rodents frequent the “watering hole?” Imagine a golfer wading down in his cleats to scoop out a ball; or a deer hoofing it down to low water-line for a sip. Would your liner last a whole lot longer with a protective cover layer? Slopes steeper than 3:1 won’t likely hold cover material in place. Do you need geotextile fabric to cushion under or above your liner?
Process: creating a waterscape can make a large difference in your enjoyment of the backyard. The variety of ponds is infinite: so are the challenges of maintenance. Plan it through carefully and you may end up with a beautiful feature that lasts many years without hassles. Designers, engineers, architects and landscape specialists are out there to assist. If you prefer to plan it all yourself, we will gladly recommend a suitable membrane liner for your purposes. Send over a drawing and give a call if / when you would like a membrane liner – plastic, rubber or clay.
