Although ponds can be constructed using brickwork and fibreglass, or installed as rigid units pond liner is still the most popular material for pond construction and is still the first choice for most beginners as it gives the greatest scope for flexibility and design. There are three main materials used for manufacturing pond liners:
PVC: This material is thin and light and usually provides the cheapest cost option. However PVC is vulnerable to degradation by ultra violet rays and because of its thinness can be prone to tearing.
Butyl: This material is made from thick rubber and tends to be much stronger than PVC. However this means that butyl tends to be heavy and can be difficult to handle.
Pondtex: The last material is a modern design that gets its strength from using a special, fibrous material, called Xavan. The advantage of Pondtext is its lightweight making it easy to handle as PVC but is far stronger and more tear-resistant.
