CAN CHEAP POND LINERS STILL BE GOOD QUALITY?

Sometimes we receive calls from budget-conscious clients looking for cheap pond liners for a specific project. To properly address this query, we first need to understand what they mean by ‘cheap’. For some, cheap implies temporary use. In such cases, long-term reliability isn't a concern, as the product only needs to function for a short period before being discarded. To others, cheap simply means ‘affordable’. These customers are seeking a quality product that’s proven to last, without exceeding their budget.

At Everything Ponds, we only sell quality products. This means anything you find on our site has been tested by us and proven to be a quality option when used properly. Therefore, we don’t really like using the term ‘cheap pond liner’. However, we do carry a few different ‘grades’ of liners that offer varying levels of performance and durability, catering to different budgets or project goals.

DOES MORE EXPENSIVE MEAN HIGHER QUALITY?

Often in life, more expensive means higher quality. However, this isn't always the case with pond liners; sometimes, buying a more expensive liner won't offer any better performance, or in some cases, it might even offer less. This all depends on your specific project. For instance, consider EPDM rubber liners versus RPE liners. EPDM liners are more expensive than RPE because they're made from rubber instead of polyethylene, and rubber is a more costly material to manufacture. But does that make rubber better in all situations due to its higher cost? Definitely not! For example, in large ponds, we usually recommend RPE over EPDM rubber because it’s stronger, lighter, and less expensive.

Of course, every material has its trade-offs. If you're after a very bendable, malleable liner, like in the case of a small decorative pond with lots of tight bends, corners, and shelves, then EPDM rubber might be a better choice. However, keep in mind that it’s easier to puncture and is quite a bit heavier to move around!

TEMPORARY / CHEAP POND LINERS

For those who mean 'temporary' when they refer to cheap pond liners, we usually recommend our Classic 24 mil RPE liner. This liner is designed to last a long time and even carries a 20-year warranty. However, it also happens to be one of the least expensive liners out there that’s still 100% reliable for water containment. It is possible to opt for thinner options, like 16 or 12 mil, but then we're venturing more into 'tarp' territory, and you're going to lose some reliability and puncture resistance. As a liner gets thinner, it will also get more 'permeable', which is a measure of how much moisture will weep through a liner.  That's why we usually recommend 24 mil as the minimum for ponds. Of course, if you’re looking for a slightly sturdier liner and don’t mind paying a bit more, our Premium RPE 30 mil liner or our double reinforced, extra puncture resistant Classic 40 mil RPE liners are a great choice. The nice thing about our RPE liners for temporary use is that they can be folded up, stored, and reused later!

AFFORDABLE LINERS

If you’re part of the crowd looking for the best 'bang for your buck' liner, then our Classic RPE liners are your go-to option. We recommend starting with 30 mil, but if you’re more budget-conscious, then consider the 24 mil. It’s a strong and lightweight liner, and we can customize it to any size you need, ranging from 10’ x 10’ up to 250’ x 250’. Additionally, if you’re planning on leaving the liner exposed to the sun, we offer a coated version that’s extra UV resistant that we call Premium RPE. Our Premium 30 mil carries a 20-year warranty, even with full-time sun exposure.

If you have any questions about your project or are unsure which liner might be best, please contact us!

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