Firestone Pond Liner is Now Elevate: Everything Australian Pond Builders Need to Know
If you've installed a pond, waterfall, or water garden in the past forty years, there's a good chance you've worked with Firestone EPDM pond liner. It was the global standard for pond builders, specified on everything from small backyard koi ponds to commercial recreation pond builds. So when the Firestone branding disappeared from pond liner products, a lot of Australian builders had the same question, what happened, and where do I buy it now?
Here's the short answer. The product still exists. It's still the same EPDM formulation, still manufactured to the same specifications, still backed by the same warranty terms: 25 years on PondGard™ and 10 years on PondEasy™. It's now sold under the Elevate™ brand, manufactured by Holcim, and in Australia, it's exclusively distributed by Aquascape Australia from our Yandina warehouse on the Sunshine Coast.
The long answer is below.
What Happened to Firestone Pond Liner?
Firestone Building Products, the manufacturer behind the Firestone PondGard EPDM liner range, was acquired by Holcim in 2021 as part of a broader move into specialty building solutions. After the acquisition, Holcim consolidated the Firestone product portfolio under a new umbrella brand, Elevate.
The pond liner range followed the same path. What was sold as Firestone PondGard is now sold as Elevate PondGard. What was sold as Firestone GeoGard, the geomembrane grade, is now part of the Elevate range. The product spec sheets carry the new branding, the warranty documents reference Elevate, but the membrane itself rolling off the manufacturing line is unchanged.
For Australian pond builders, this is a name change, not a product change.
Is Elevate the Same as Firestone Pond Liner?
Yes. Specifically:
- Same EPDM formulation. Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, manufactured to the same chemical and physical specification.
- Same thicknesses. 1.14mm (45 mil) PondGard, and 0.80mm PondEasy entry grade.
- Same dimensional stability and stretch. Up to 300% elongation, the same characteristic that lets EPDM mould around rocks and contours.
- Same UV resistance. Engineered for continuous outdoor exposure, the property that earned the product its reputation in pond applications.
- Same fish-safe and plant-safe rating. Pond-grade EPDM with no toxic leachates.
- Same warranty terms. PondGard 25 years, PondEasy 10 years. Honoured by the new manufacturer, applied the same way as under the previous brand.
- Same on-site joining system. QuickPrime Plus primer and QuickSeam Splice Tape, the products you may have used for years, work identically with the Elevate membrane.
If you're a contractor who has built dozens of ponds with the previous brand, you don't need to relearn anything. The product handles the same way on-site, the seam quality is the same, and the long-term performance in Australian conditions is the same.
What Is Different?
A few practical things have changed, mostly to do with branding and distribution rather than the product itself.
- The roll labelling. Rolls now ship with Elevate branding on the packaging and product literature.
- The product names. PondGard kept its name. The previous Firestone branding prefix is gone. The same applies to GeoGard and the underlay range.
- The distribution. Aquascape Australia is now the exclusive Australian distributor of the Elevate pond liner range. We hold full inventory at our Yandina warehouse and ship Australia-wide. This is a different model from the previous arrangement, where multiple resellers handled the product. The exclusive distribution lets us hold deeper stock and offer proper trade pricing.
- The packaging. Some pack sizes were rationalised during the transition. Our current stock list shows the Australian range as it stands today.
That's it. No formula change, no warranty change, no compromise on quality.
The Elevate Range Available in Australia
We stock the full Elevate pond liner range, available cut to size, in pre-cut packs, or as full rolls.
Elevate PondEasy, 0.80mm EPDM
The entry-level grade with a 10-year warranty. Best for small fish ponds and decorative ponds under approximately 5,000 L, mini ponds, patio water features, and bog filters. Suitable for use under rockwork on smaller residential builds. Cut to size from $77.55 per lineal metre.
Elevate PondGard, 1.14mm EPDM
The professional-grade option, part of our Aquascape Professional Contractor Range. The direct successor to Firestone PondGard, now available in 1.14mm with a 25-year warranty. Used in ecosystem ponds, Pondless™ waterfalls, recreation ponds, koi ponds, swim ponds, dams, and commercial water features. Cut to size from $99.65 per lineal metre.
Elevate Installation Accessories
QuickPrime Plus primer (250ml, 0.95L, and 3.78L), QuickSeam Splice Tape, and the QuickScrubber tool. The same on-site joining system used with the previous brand, now under the Elevate label.
Underlay
270gsm geotextile underlay for residential and most commercial builds, plus 500gsm Rock Pad for heavy rockwork applications.
Does My Existing Firestone Warranty Still Apply?
If you have a Firestone-branded pond liner already installed under warranty, the original warranty document and terms still apply for the period stated. Warranty claims for previously installed Firestone pond liners are handled through the same channels as before. Contact our team at Aquascape Australia and we can walk you through the current claim process.
For new installs, warranty terms now sit under the Elevate branding. PondGard 1.14mm carries a 25-year warranty. PondEasy 0.80mm carries a 10-year warranty.
What This Means for Contractors
If you're a Certified Aquascape Contractor or a landscaper who has been specifying Firestone PondGard for years, three practical points:
- You can specify Elevate PondGard with the same confidence. Same product, same warranty, same on-site handling.
- Your existing toolkit still works. QuickPrime Plus and QuickSeam Splice Tape are part of the Elevate range now and behave identically.
- Your supply chain just got shorter. With Aquascape Australia as the exclusive Australian distributor, you order direct from our Yandina warehouse with priority shipping Australia-wide and trade pricing available.
Become a Certified Aquascape Contractor
What This Means for DIY Pond Builders
If you've researched Firestone EPDM and you're ready to buy, you're in the right place. The product you wanted is on our shelves under the Elevate label. The warranty applies (25 years on PondGard, 10 years on PondEasy). The fish-safe rating applies. The Australian climate performance is the same.
If you're not sure which thickness or grade you need, the easiest thing to do is order a free Pond Liner & Underlay Sample Pack. It includes swatches of Elevate PondEasy, PondGard, and our geotextile underlay so you can feel the differences before committing to a roll.
For a deeper dive into which liner suits which project, see our complete guide to pond liners in Australia or our pond liner thickness guide.
Why Buy Through Aquascape Australia
We're not a new face in pond liner. Aquascape Australia has been supplying pond builders since 2008 and we're the exclusive Australian distributor for both the Aquascape Inc. product range and Elevate EPDM pond liners. Our team builds ponds. We've installed the liner we sell, we've patched it in the field, and we know how it behaves in summer on the Sunshine Coast and winter in Tasmania.
A few practical reasons to buy through us rather than a generic reseller:
- Real Australian stock. Inventory held at Yandina, not on a slow boat from overseas.
- Cut to size by the lineal metre. Order exactly what your project needs, reduce wastage.
- Priority shipping Australia-wide. Including bulk rolls for commercial builds.
- Free sample pack. Touch and compare before you buy.
- Expert advice. Call (07) 5446 7963 to speak with someone who builds ponds for a living.
- Trade pricing for landscapers and contractors.
Visit The Pond Shop
If you're near the Sunshine Coast, drop into The Pond Shop at 21 Progress Place, Yandina QLD. We're one minute from the Bruce Highway near the Yandina exit, open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. You can see liner samples in person, ask build questions, and pick up locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Firestone pond liner still being made?
Not under the Firestone brand. The same EPDM pond liner product is now manufactured by Holcim and sold globally under the Elevate brand. The formulation, specification, and warranty terms are unchanged.
Is Elevate PondGard the same as Firestone PondGard?
Yes. Same EPDM material, same 1.14mm thickness, 25-year warranty, same on-site joining system. The name on the packaging changed, the product did not.
Where can I buy Elevate pond liner in Australia?
Aquascape Australia is the exclusive Australian distributor. We stock the full Elevate range at our Yandina, Queensland warehouse and ship Australia-wide. You can also find Elevate liner through our network of authorised retailers and Certified Aquascape Contractors.
Will my existing Firestone pond liner warranty still be honoured?
Yes. The original warranty terms on a Firestone-branded liner still apply for the period stated on your documentation. Contact Aquascape Australia for current claim procedures.
Does the new Elevate liner use a different joining system?
No. The QuickPrime Plus and QuickSeam Splice Tape system used for years with the previous brand is the same system used with Elevate. If you have leftover primer and tape from a previous build, it works with the current Elevate membrane.
Is Elevate EPDM pond liner fish-safe?
Yes. Both PondEasy and PondGard are pond-grade EPDM, fish-safe and plant-safe. Never use roofing-grade EPDM in a pond. It contains additives that are toxic to aquatic life.
Is there a price difference between Firestone and Elevate?
The product is sold at current market rates set by the manufacturer. There are no surprise cost changes resulting from the brand transition itself.
How long will Elevate EPDM pond liner last?
PondGard 1.14mm carries a 25-year warranty. PondEasy 0.80mm carries a 10-year warranty. Real-world service life regularly exceeds these figures when correctly installed with underlay and UV-shielded edges.
Leave a comment