Calculating the cost of a pond goes beyond looking at only the design and installation costs. Many other factors come into play, the biggest of which is the lifespan of the liner being used with the installation – preformed or flexible. Although you may save money during installation with the use of a preformed liner, you will spend more in the long run; a whole lot more.
Size and Weight
Size and weight affect cost in two ways – shipping and installation. A large, custom, preformed pond liner is unwieldy and heavy which increases shipping costs. If the preformed pond is 20+ feet in length, a flatbed truck and winches will be required at delivery and installation.
On the other hand, flexible pond liners are much easier to ship and install. However, weight varies among flexible liners as well. HDPE, for example, is very heavy compared to a reinforced flexible liner like RPE which can weigh up to two-thirds less than other flexible liners. Less weight translates into reduced shipping costs and an easier install.
Lifespan, Repairs, and Replacement
To make a valid cost comparison when calculating the expense of a liner, you should prorate the cost over the lifetime of the liner. Let’s say it costs $100 for a preformed liner or $150 for a flexible liner to cover the same pond surface area. This seems like an easy choice, right? In this example, the flexible liner costs fifty percent more than the preformed liner. But, when you consider that the average lifespan of a preformed pond is significantly shorter, the equation looks quite different. Lifespans of both types of liners can vary, but for an example let’s assume your preformed liner lasts ten years and your high quality RPE liners lasts forty years. If you have to replace the preformed liner 4 times to cover the same time frame, then the preformed liner now costs $400 vs. $150 for the flexible liner. And, that doesn’t take into consideration the costs to tear out the existing pond to install the new ones, nor the additional installation costs, shipping costs, etc. Plus, in areas where freezing conditions occur, preformed ponds can have a much shorter lifespan due to cracking when the ground expands around the pond or when the water inside the pond freezes, which happens frequently in small ponds.
Maybe you’re thinking that you could patch the preformed pond when it cracks so you won’t have to replace it. After all, patch kits are available. The problem is that they rarely work as well as advertised. Plus, they often contain chemicals that leach into the water making it unsafe for fish. Typically, once a preformed pond liner begins to leak, replacing it is the best option.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, flexible liners are the best and least expensive option for lining a pond. Although they may cost more initially than a preformed liner, in the long run, they cost substantially less. Plus, you have all the versatility to create the pond you want now and, in the future, even if you change your mind and want to redo certain aspects of your pond. Flexible liners give you the flexibility to do as your please without having to tear the pond out and start over.
One way to save costs on a flexible liner is to find a manufacturer who will cut a custom liner for you rather than one who requires you to buy an entire roll. Check out BTL Liner’s selection of flexible liners or call and speak with one of our expert team members who will be happy to help you with liner selection and sizing to specifically fit your needs.
