A look into PVC pond liners and their strengths and weaknesses compared to ther types of pond liner on the market.
PVC Pond Liner History
The full name of this product is Polyvinyl chloride and it was discovered by Henri Victor Regnault in 1835. In early 20th century the Russian chemist Ivan Ostromislensky and Fritz Klatte of the German chemical company Griesheim-Elektron attempted to use PVC in commercial products, but difficulties in processing the rigid, sometimes brittle polymer blocked their efforts. But it was subsequently found that the addition of plasticisers helped to soften the product making it easier and more desireable to work with. PVC wasn’t actually patented until 1913. Over the years pond liners is just one of many thousands of uses for this product. By the 1950s PVC was the preffered material for hose and piping as it offered many benefits over previously used metal.
PVC Pond Liner Qualities
As PVC has striking similarities to rubber it is an obvious choice to be used as a pond liner. This product offers a degree of elasticity. It is a denser, heavier product than polyethylene and more expensive to produce. It is not tear-proof like Flexiliner. The material is great at combating root penetration though it is not so good at extreme temperature – it can become brittle and snap when very very cold and yet become very thin and feeble if the temperature gets very hot. That said, these situations affect the product more pre-installation as once in the ground it is stable.
PVC Pond Liner Types
PVC is typically available in a thickness of 0.5mm. it is also available in both 0.35mm and 0.8mm. Our PVC Pond Liners are 0.5mm, black in colour and available with a 15yr and 30yr guarantee. Most pvc pond liner, including our own consists of pvc strips brought togetehr with a watertight seal. New advanced processes now mean that it is possible to produce pvc pond liners in single sheets up to 6m. Above this and the pond liner material must be seamed.
PVC Pond Liner Installion Tip
As with all pond liners don’t forget to unravel it and place it temporarily in the heat of the sun before laying it. You will find that this softens the liner and it will more readily follow the contours of your pond.