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DIY
garden projects
Building
a Pond
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Water
is an ideal way of adding an extra dimension to your garden, whether
as a separate feature or used in conjunction with other elements
in the garden.
Water
features come in many forms. From ponds to streams, waterfalls to
fountains, the only limit to the complexity of your water feature
(budget and space aside) is your imagination.
The
aim of this article is to provide you with a brief insight into
the types of materials available and the various types of features
used in today s garden. Finally, we have provided a step by step
guide to building a formal pool, similar to the one seen in our
Pavilion garden at Wenvoe.
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Pond Construction
Materials
Flexible
liners
There
are a number of flexible liners on the market, polyethylene,
PVC and butyl being the most common. They are ideal for
larger and irregularly shaped ponds or pools.
All
have their advantages, however it is important when choosing
your liner to consider factors such as strength, pliability,
resistance to UV rays and of course cost.
If
in doubt, most outlets will be happy to discuss the individual
merits of the different materials. Butyl is generally considered
the best material as it is unaffected by extremes of temperatures,
it is durable and has a high resistance to punctures. It
also has the longest lifespan of all the liners.
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Rigid
liners
Rigid
liners or pre-cast ponds are generally considered the simplest
method of installing a pond.
Those
made from fibreglass and re-enforced plastic are extremely
tough and have a long lifespan. The advantages of precast
ponds are that you can see how the finished pond will look,
the various margins and shelves critical to promoting wildlife
are usually incorporated, and they are easy to install (although
a fair amount of elbow grease is required!).
Choose
your pond carefully. Stay away from cheap plastic varieties
as they are perishable and subject to collapse.
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Self
contained units.
Self
contained water features are becoming increasingly popular.
With limitations on peoples budgets, time and space in the
garden, self contained features are a simple and relatively
cheap method of incorporating water into the garden and even
the home.
Generally
these features comprise a sump or receptacle for the water,
a pump and some form of fountain feature.
Materials
such as half casks or barrels, stone troughs and even buckets
make ideal water features.
Although
many come in kit form, with a little imagination and a little
know how, you can create a self contained water feature from
absolutely anything.
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styles
of water features | pond construction
materials | tips
| how to build a raised formal
pond
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