Selecting the perfect pond liner for your pond will be one of the most critical decisions considering your needs. A guideline to decide appropriate pond liner needs to take the following into consideration:

• > Shape & size of your pond
• > The end picture that you have in mind of your pond – such as will the pond have fishes/turtles or do you plan to have water features such as a water fountain or waterfall
• > Location of your pond – will it have exposure to direct sunlight or shady area; large trees in the vicinity causing root penetration
• > And finally, your budget.

However, it is important to know that having a high-quality liner will improve the longevity of the pond and will prevent the liner from frequent tears and punctures. This will help to reduce the need for future ongoing maintenance works, so that you may relax and enjoy your hard work.

Three of most used pond liner materials worldwide are EPDM, HDPE, and PVC. EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, a complex yet relatively inexpensive synthetic rubber. It is used in a wide range of applications commonly in the automotive and construction industries for various seals due to its excellent resistance to environmental factors such as Ozone, UV and general weathering. HDPE stands for High Density Polyethylene and PVC stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride are thermoplastic polymers based on petroleum.

Without getting much into their chemical structures (which may not be as interesting as planning to build your garden pond!!), let us explain why Firestone EPDM PondGard Rubber Pond Liner is the perfect product if you're considering garden pond liner for decorative pond, pond waterfall and fountain, Natural swimming pool and Fishpond.  Firestone PondGard EPDM Pond liner 1.02mm or higher thicknesses are also widely used in Commercial projects including dam liner for a leaking farm dam, liner for Wicking Garden Beds, Artificial lakes, Golf course water features or Leisure Park water features.

Advantages of Firestone EPDM pond liner (also known as, EPDM rubber geomembrane):

• > Fish friendly – It has been tested and certified that EPDM rubber liners do not pose any risk to fish, plants or other aquatic life.
• It's ability to S-T-R-E-T-C-H even at temperatures as low as minus 45degC, means that it is not affected structurally by folds and pleats. This is not possible with hard and stiff HDPE pond and dam liners.
• > Flexibility of the EPDM membrane offers DIY installation. EPDM liners fold around corners very easily. So you can now get your hands dirty and build your pond just the way you want it.
• > EPDM pond liners can be patched and repaired, if need be, using Quick prime, Liner Seam joining tapes, Cover strips, EPDM Liner Puncture repair kit and related accessories (… also available at Rock Around The Block).
• > Studies have proven high UV resistance of EPDM rubber geomembrane lining products due to its chemical composition.
• > 20-year warranty period assures peace of mind. In our many years of selling EPDM pond and dam liner, we have never had a warranty claim. Firestone's first liner project that was completed in 1973 is still going strong, a 12,000 sqm dam in hot Southern Spain. Hence, we can say that it is virtually everlasting.
• > It is eco-friendly and has low environmental impact in production and use.
• > Lasting Beauty - PondGard liners display outstanding resistance to UV exposure, ozone, frost, snow and extreme temperatures. Developed to protect against microbial attacks from algae growth, Firestone EPDM rubber pond liners contain no migrating plasticizers – which means no cracking or splitting. Many water features built with PondGard Rubber Liner are as functional and beautiful, as the day they were installed, even 20ys after installation.
• > The same product infused with fire retardants and retailed as RubberGard EPDM is extensively used in UK, Europe, Asia and USA for lightweight roofing membrane in full sun and in climates from freezing to the tropics. No other flexible membrane compares to the known longevity.
• > Please refer to our Technical Information and Instructional Videos sub-categories for more details.
• > Some Pros & Cons of HDPE & PVC Liners that you may need to consider…
• > HDPE is relatively cheaper than EPDM. It needs to be noted that similar to EPDM liners, HDPE liners also come in various thickness and the cost of your HDPE liner will increase as its thickness increases. HDPE is based on single polymer while EPDM is made of multiple polymers, which makes the process of recycling for HDPE relatively easier. HDPE is known for its higher puncture resistance than EPDM. However, some important criteria where HDPE liners falls short are the membrane’s flexibility and patching requirements. Although relatively flexible, HDPE liners are not as flexible as EPDM. So careful preparation will be needed prior to installation. Also, Unlike EPDM liners, HDPE joining requires heat (welding) and hence will require professional assistance.
• > PVC is also the most economic liner material. It is also lighter than both EPDM & HDPE, and therefore are easier to transport. However, PVC is not suitable for Aquatic life as it contains Plasticizers. PVC also doesn’t function well at very high and very low temperatures. Hence it is most ideal for an indoor pool, or one located in a shady area.  
• > Alternative to liners:Until late last century Concrete was also commonly used by pond builders to line ponds. Although presumed to be strong and impermeable, it was soon realised that concrete still needs to be sealed. Also, concrete cracks over time and can also get expensive & laborious. Most importantly, it looks artificial (i.e., man-made) and requires lots of time & creativity to make it look like a natural pond.
• > At Rock Around The Block, we retail both EPDM and PVC liners as they cater to different user needs as detailed above. After studying various available options for pond liners in Australian market, we however believe that Firestone PondGard EPDM 1.02mm rubber pond liner is the most popular liner choice for both hobbyist and commercial installers.
• > Please contact our team on 1300 733 113 or email us at sales@ratb.com.au for a free PondGard EPDM sample to be sent in an envelope.
• > We also highly recommend investing in pond underlay. Geotextile underlay is placed underneath your pond liner to prevent punctures from rough or rocky ground (e.g., those with volcanic stones). In addition to offering puncture resistance, underlay also allows the gases beneath your pond to escape, rather than becoming trapped and causing gas bubbles underneath your pond liner. An Underlay is also handy for when you are looking to install larger rocks in your pond, placed in between the pond liner and the rock for additional protection.
• > Why buy from us? We offer the full suite of Firestone accessories system. We are trained in usage of Firestone products and have been selling & assisting our customers with EPDM rubber pond linings for over 25 years.