Pond Construction Materials
A variety of pond
construction materials are available, the most common
of which are concrete and
flexible EPDM liner.
Each has their own strengths and weaknesses as follows:
Concrete,
either pure concrete or mortared building blocks
or rock, was until recently the most commonly used
pond building material. Most formal ponds are still
made from tiled concrete or mortared rock. Concrete
ponds are the least expensive in materials cost to
construct, but will require extra care over time.
Because concrete is porous by nature, it will allow
water intrusion into its structure, and hence is
subject to damage by freezing and general breakdown
in soil. This can be prevented by application of
a penetrating structural sealant every few years.
However, its lack of flexibility also makes it susceptible
to cracking under pressure from growing tree roots
or shifting of unstable substrates.
Flexible
liner materials such
as EPDM (ethylene
propylene diene monomer) and PVC (polyvinyl
chloride) are relatively expensive to purchase, but
allow tremendous flexibility in pond design while
providing excellent durability. EPDM has the higher
elasticity and UV resistance of the two, while PVC
has a slightly tougher surface. A heavy weight 45
mil EPDM should provide 30+ years of trouble-free
pond life when installed over a soft underlay or
layer of sand (lighter weights of EPDM are not recommended,
although PVC is commonly sold in 25 and 30 mil weights).
Flexible liners are subject to puncture damage by
knives, claws or other sharp objects, but are relatively
easy to patch. Where a mortared rock effect is desired,
an EPDM liner can be installed under the mortar to
prevent the need for sealants.
Preform plastic
shells are a quick and
easy alternative to constructing a pond from scratch.
Now available in a reasonable variety of shapes and
sizes, preforms offer great durability (although
thickness and quality vary widely) at the expense
of the ability to create a custom shape or make design
changes during construction. Good quality preforms
are also expensive to purchase but don't require
the prep work and extra materials needed for EPDM.
PREV |
NEXT |
|
