aquaSHIELD Protective Matting

Protective Matting for Pond & Lake Liners

Material: aquaSHIELD protective matting is a high quality, non-woven polypropylene geotextile pond liner underlay for use with all types of pond liner.

Applications: We would recommend that you do not install any liner without a protective pond liner underlay as this reduces the risk of damage during both installation and use, including from stones, roots and sharp objects.

Also, if you are planning on having anything other than water on top of the liner, it might be a good idea to get a second layer of the aquaSHIELD matting to act as an overlay and thereby help ensure that the liner remains fully protected.

• White 200gsm matting: suitable for small to medium-sized ponds, and especially with 0.5mm PVC pond liners.
• Black 275gsm matting: suitable for all sizes of pond, lake or lagoon. We would recommend using this with both SealEco and Firestone EPDM liners and for any liners in locations where you have a gritty or rocky substrate or higher density of roots.

Is pond liner underlay really required for my project?

Yes, and no! We would never recommend that you put a liner in the ground without some form of pond underlayment protection, and we would always advocate using a specialist pond liner underlay.

Once the hole for a natural pond has been dug, initially the ground will likely be fairly smooth, but, over time, changes to the water table and movement of the soil often causes stones, rocks and plant roots to come to the surface. Even the more formal pond constructions can benefit from pond liner underlayment because building materials, such as concrete & bricks, can contain rough edges. These coarse materials and sharper surfaces also cause wear & tear on the liner. Therefore, to protect against these hazards, which can even rip the liner itself, we recommend using a layer of protective pond liner underlay. This matting creates a tough barrier between the soil and the liner, providing a reliable and long-lasting pond underlayment. 

We are, however, aware that other options are sometimes considered:

• Sand: Provides reasonable protection for the liner as it creates a smooth surface. Tends to shift downwards over time when compacted onto the sloping side of a pond. Roots and stones can work their way between the sand as the earth moves or the sand shifts. Some sand may be less suitable if it contains more abrasive aggregates.
• Old carpet: May provide a stronger barrier to stones and roots than sand, but care should be taken as carpet can bio-degrade over time (especially wool or mixed fibre carpets). As the carpet rots it will expose the liner to stones and roots increasing the chance of puncture.

aquaSHIELD matting: a synthetic geotextile that is rot, UV and weather-resistant, and safe for all aquatic, animal and plant life. As a pond liner underlay, its high puncture resistance and tensile strength provide longevity of protection for the life of your liner, including both penetration from stones and roots, rough surfaces and ground movement over time.

Our experience tells us that to get the most out of your liner, you need to ensure that it is well protected; aquaSHIELD pond liner underlay can help provide peace of mind that this is being taken care of.