5 Best Pond Liners Compared (2023 Buyers Guide)

Pond Academy is reader-supported. Buying through links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

5 Best Pond Liners

To save you time and potentially a lot of hassle, here are our picks for the best pond liner on the market (as of 2023).

Comparison Chart

	Description	Thickness	Price
	Aquascape EPDM Rubber Pond Liner	45 mil thickness		SEE PRICE »
	Beckett Corporation PVC Pond Liner	20 mil thickness		SEE PRICE »
	TotalPond EPDM Pond Liner	14.5 mil thickness		SEE PRICE »
	Firestone EPDM Pond Liner	45 mil thickness		SEE PRICE »
	Pond Boss Pond Skins Liner	14.5 mil thickness		SEE PRICE »

*Buying through links in this chart may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.

Aquascape EPDM Rubber Pond Liner

The Aquascape pre-cut EPDM liners are 45 mil thick and extremely durable. In fact, Aquascape is known for creating high-quality and durable products.

This product is ideal for lining ponds, waterfalls, and even streams. This is because the rubber liner material can be easily cut and sealed.

If you're looking for a large liner, it comes in a 20 x 25 feet size, which again can easily be sealed together with another rubber liner if you have a pond bigger than that.

This heavy-duty pond liner is resistant to UV rays from the sun and safe for fish and pond plants, and other aquatic life. Plus, it's backed with a 20-year warranty guarantee!

Available Sizes:

• A variety of sizes that range from 8 x 10 feet up to 20 x 25 feet

Beckett Corporation PVC Pond Liner

The Beckett Corporation lightweight PVC liner has a thickness of 20 mils, making it apt for garden pond enthusiasts who are just starting out with a small pond.

The UV and ice-resistant material is safe for fish and plants. Plus, its flexible design makes it easy to install.

Comes with a 15-year manufacturer's warranty.

Available Sizes:

• 8 x 10 ft PVC liner
• 10 x 12 ft PVC liner
• 17 x 12 ft PVC liner

TotalPond EPDM Pond Liner

TotalPond creates high-grade EPDM liners for ponds in various sizes and competitive costs. In fact, it's one of the least expensive liners on the market and one we use with clients on a tight budget.

Their fish and plant-safe liners are a thin yet durable 14.5 mil thick. They feature an inner polyester weave, a textured surface, and are UV-resistant, making them perfect for harsher environments prone to extreme weather.

Their textured surface promotes beneficial bacteria growth to help improve water quality.

Comes with a 20-year limited warranty.

Available Sizes:

• 7 x 10 ft
• 10 x 13 ft
• 13 x 20 ft

Firestone EPDM Pond Liner

Firestone EPDM pond liners feature a beefy 45 mil thickness yet are extremely flexible!

This liner is made of high-quality EPDM material that is resistant to UV radiation, ozone rays, and other harsh conditions.

It can also be molded to the contours of any pond despite being extremely strong.

All Firestone liners are safe for plants, koi ponds, and other pond fish. Plus, they come with a 20-year warranty.

Available Sizes:

• Multiple sizes that range from 5 x 5 feet up to 50 x 200 feet

Pond Boss Pond Skins Liner

Pond Boss makes durable PVC pond liners that are safe for fish, puncture and UV resistant, and extremely easy to install!

Their PVC liners feature a reinforced mesh construction and come up with an industry-standard 20-year warranty.

Available Sizes:

• 7 x 10 ft
• 10 x 13 ft
• 13 x 20 ft
• 10 x 15 ft
• 15 x 15 ft
• 15 x 20 ft
• 20 x 20 ft

Pond Liner Buyer's Guide

A pond liner is a waterproof membrane sheet which, I'm sure you're aware, you use as the base for your pond or water garden. This helps keep water in and control algae by keeping nutrients and sediment out.

For example, when installing a new pond (save time and hassle with a pond kit), you would dig the appropriately sized hole and then fill it with a pond liner, which acts almost like a “groundsheet” for your pond. The water is then filled up and contained within this impervious pond liner.

It seems simple enough. But, there are many different types of pond liners, including:

• Polyethylene pond liners
• RPE liners
• EPDM pond liners
• Preformed pond liners
• PVC pond liners

We'll go over all of them in this guide, giving you a quick reference of the best pond liners available and calculating how much liner you will need for your pond's unique shape and depth.

What Are the Different Types of Pond Liners?

There are many different types of liners available for ponds and water gardens, each with its own set of pros and cons. Let's take a look at 5 of the best pond liner types on the market today to find the best one for you.

EPDM Liner/Rubber Pond Liner

EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (a mouthful, we know). Despite the long name, they are a very dynamic and flexible pond liner. This makes them especially suitable for ponds that are unusually shaped.

However, this synthetic rubber liner is a little less flexible than other materials, like PVC pond liners, for example, but they go down nicely with a minimal amount of wrinkles.

EPDM pond liners are known for their strength, durability, and excellent protection and resistance from harsh elements like sunlight. They are, in our opinion, the best all-around pond liner on the market today.

PVC Pond Liner

PVC liners have been used in various applications, including swimming pools, for years and are known for being extremely flexible liners. However, depending on the product's brand and quality, PVC liners can be susceptible to tears and punctures.

If deciding on a PVC pond liner, be sure to get one that is reinforced with a mesh or similar construction for added strength.

Polyethylene Pond Liner

Polyethylene is the most commonly used plastic today, being used in plastic bags, bottles, and even pond liners!

Polyethylene pond liners are easy to install, offering a good combination of flexibility and strength, which many find to be the ideal mix. Polyethylene pond liners are tear and puncture-resistant, making them ideal for harsher pond environments.

RPE Pond Liner

RPE stands for Reinforced Polyethylene. RPE is a lightweight material that is usually a mix of LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) material and HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) material. It is so strong that it doesn't require a pond underlayment before installation. However, the major downside is its flexibility (or lack thereof).

What Size Pond Liner Do I Need?

You can use our pond liner calculator below to find the perfect size for your needs. You can also use our advanced pond calculator, which will tell you the exact size you'll need amongst a host of other important information, like your recommended pond pump GPH, filter size, pond volume, and more!

To use the calculator, choose your preferred unit of measurement and enter your pond's length, width, and depth. We recommend entering your pond's longest length, deepest depth, and widest width to ensure you have enough liner to cover your pond completely.

Please Select: Feet      Meters
Max Length	Max Width	Max Depth

How to Install a Pond Liner

Once you have dug the hole and have the correct sized pond liner, it's time for installation!

First, you'll need to ensure that there are no sharp rocks, pebbles, or stones protruding out into the dug hole, as this could damage the pond liner. If you want to reduce the risk of damage or punctures, pour a 2-inch layer of sand onto the floor or use a robust pond underlayment before installing your pond liner. In fact, I recommend using a pond underlayment no matter what type of pond liner you plan on using.

Next, carefully place the lining down in the pond evenly, securing it in place with strategic round rocks. If you haven't already, dig an anchor trench around the outside of your pond. The pond liner will lap into this trench, and you can fill dirt on top of the liner. This trench will help keep the liner in place and will help stop any runoff from entering your pond.

Now you can begin to fill the pond with water from your hose, but be sure to watch out for any wrinkles in the pond liner and straighten them out as they occur. If you plan on installing a pond pump, now would be a good time to do that, although you should leave it unconnected to power for the time being.

Once the pond is filled, use more decorative stones and rounded rocks to secure the liner in place around the perimeter of your pond. If there is still visible pond liner, use a pair of high-quality scissors to trim the excess around the edge, keeping the look subtle.

What About Preformed Pond Liners?

Essentially, a preformed pond liner is a mold that forms the shape of your pond under the water. These pond tubs provide you with a solid aesthetic and require very little topographical pond-sculpting skills on your part.

There is a wide selection of preformed pond liners available on the market, making them ideal for people who want a simple water garden with as little hassle as possible! Although you still have to dig the initial hole, preformed kits simplify the finishing process.

However, preformed kits typically aren't very big, and you're limited in the design aspect of building a pond or water garden.

How To Install A Preformed Pond Liner

Opting for a preformed pond liner is arguably the easiest and quickest way to be up and running with a backyard pond or small garden pond. Here are the step-by-step liner installation instructions to get you up and running in as little time as possible.

1. First, you'll want to place your liner in the desired location of your yard and draw a chalk outline around it. This will be the outline for the hole you need to dig.
2. Using a shovel, dig the hole slightly larger than the shape of the outline. And make the hole the same depth as the pond's liner. If your preformed liner has corners or plant shelves, you'll want to make sure you dig for them, as well.
3. Next, put a 2” layer of sand in the bottom of the hole and level it out so the liner will sit level. This will help support the liner and ensure it sits slightly above ground level, which is important so that rainwater doesn't wash soil and fertilizers into the pond.
4. You can now start filling the garden pond with water. While that's filling, you can start filling in the hole with dirt.
5. Install your pond pump and filter equipment so you can start circulating the pond's water.
6. Perform a water quality test to ensure there are no harmful chemicals. You'll want to be sure your water is suitable before adding your fish and plants.
7. Finally, add any landscaping rocks, pond lights, and plants.

Pond Liner FAQ's & Info

Do I Need a Pond Liner?

You will need a pond liner unless you build a pond in impermeable soil or use a cement or bentonite foundation. If you don't use a liner, your pond's water will slowly soak into the earth, and it can get very murky and be hard to maintain.

How Much Do Pond Liners Cost?

It varies on the size and type of pond liner. Once you use our pond liner calculator above and figure out exactly how much you'll need, you can then shop around and see which liners fit your budget. Just remember, cheap pond liners may cause more hassle, and money, in the long run. And if you shop online, be wary of shipping costs (many of them have free shipping on Amazon) as they can be pretty heavy the bigger they get.

How Long Do Pond Liners Last?

PVC pond liners typically last around 20 years, EPDM and rubber pond liners can last up to 30 years, and RPE liners are known for being the longest-lasting liners available today, lasting up to 40 years.

Check out our pond liner lifespan guide to learn how long each pond liner lasts.

How Do I Seal Pond Liner Seams?

There are several ways, but it's easy to use tape primer and seam tape (and very effective). Simply find a flat surface, and lay the first liner down flat, removing any wrinkles. Take the second liner and lay it on top of the flat liner with an overlap of at least 8 inches. Then pull back the top liner to expose the overlap and wipe both pieces of liner down with a moist cloth to clean them. Once the liners are dry, wipe them down again with tape primer. Next, apply the double-sided seam tape to the bottom liner. Once that is applied, peel off the top of the liner tape exposing the sticky side, then fold over the top liner on top, effectively sealing the two liners together.

Here's a video of the entire process.

What Are Pond Liners Made Of?

The most common types are EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), Polyethylene, and preformed pond liners. See above for a detailed description of each.

How Do I Anchor a Pond Liner?

While you can simply place rocks around the edge of your pond (on top of the liners overlap) to effectively seal your pond, we recommend digging a small anchor trench around the outside edge of your pond, lapping the liner into the trench, then filling dirt on top of it. Then you can place your rock edging around the outside of your pond.

How Do I Find a Leak in a Pond Liner?

If you've narrowed down the leak to the liner itself (sometimes it can be in the pumps hose or waterfall/stream), then you have to either:

• Wait for the water to lower until it stops, which means the leak is where the edge of the water meets the pond liner and should be visible.
• Or, if you have koi or other fish, you may have to get on your hands and knees and feel for a tear or prick in the liner before your pond reaches dangerously low levels.

We've covered this extensively in our guide on how to find a leak in a pond in two simple steps. And depending on the size of the tear and whether you want to drain your pond or not, you'll want to be sure you use the right type of pond sealer.

What Can I Use Instead of a Pond Liner?

Concrete, steel, or a bentonite clay foundation are a few other options to use instead of a liner.

Do I Need to Use Underlayment Underneath My Pond Liner?

With most liners, using an underlayment is recommended. RPE liners don't require an underlayment, but I would still recommend using one if you have the funds to do it. A quality underlay will help protect your pond's liner from any punctures, which are not fun to deal with, especially if your pond is stocked with koi or other pond fish.

Do Pond Liners Come In Different Colors?

Yes, you can find colored pond liners, but they typically only come in blue and black.

All the recommended liners above are black, however, here's a quality blue pond liner made from PVC material with a 30 mil thickness. This one is safe for fish ponds and plants, recyclable, and made in the USA.