How Much Does Geomembrane Cost?

When describing a geomembrane, it’s easy to lose sight of the overall picture. There are many aspects to consider when selecting the greatest match for your application, but the lifetime cost is sometimes disregarded.

A geomembrane with a low starting cost may end up costing you just as much, if not more, as one with a higher initial cost. Before writing the check, investigate the true cost of the geomembrane by looking at typical costs spent during the product’s lifetime.

Costs of a Geomembrane at the Start

The distinctions between high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ethylene interpolymer alloy (EIA) geomembranes (such XR-5® Geomembranes) are discussed in this article to demonstrate the point. The geomembrane cost breakdown categories will be same regardless of the items you’re comparing.

Material expenses, installation fees, and the cost of building quality assurance are the three primary components of initial expenditures (CQA). Although material prices have a significant influence on the lifespan cost of your geomembrane, for less costly materials, labour will consume a significant chunk, if not the whole amount of capital. A chart outlining some important changes may be seen below.

It’s worth noting that the above EIA material prices include both shipping and manufacture. The costs given in this table for both geomembranes are estimates that may vary depending on the size of the project. Larger tasks, for example, will have cheaper per-square-foot material and fabrication costs. Prices for HDPE tend to vary on a regular basis, so be sure to contact the relevant manufacturer when putting together your own pricing comparison. Because there are considerably fewer field seams, the cost of flexible/fabricated geomembranes will be substantially cheaper.

The cost of adding a geotextile to a geomembrane is shown in the final part of the pricing breakdown. Because EIA geomembranes offer better puncture resistance (over 800 pounds of ball tip puncture resistance), they may be utilised without a geotextile in many cases, as seen in the table below. Other geomembranes on the market, on the other hand, do not have that luxury and require extra materials to achieve the same degree of puncture strength, resulting in additional geomembrane expenditures to the entire installation price.

During this phase, the average longevity should also be considered. A geomembrane with a proven track record of over 30 years may be more expensive up front, but the return on investment will be higher than a geomembrane with a lower initial cost but a shorter lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

Repairability & Maintenance

In order for your geomembrane to continue working at its optimum, it must be maintained on a regular basis. However, the quantity of maintenance required varies from one geomembrane to the next. Some geomembranes, such as HDPE, suffer from environmental stress cracking (ESC), whilst others, such as EIA, are designed with low thermal expansion qualities, making them more dimensionally stable. ESC may happen at any point over the life of your geomembrane, which means you may need to replace it fully before receiving a return on your investment.

Finally, you should not choose a geomembrane merely on the basis of its initial cost. Extra costs will sneak up on you, resulting in a higher total cost over time. Make sure you do your homework and analyse your alternatives before settling on a product that meets both your performance and financial needs.

In order for your geomembrane to continue working at its optimum, it must be maintained on a regular basis. However, the quantity of maintenance required varies from one geomembrane to the next. Some geomembranes, such as HDPE, suffer from environmental stress cracking (ESC), whilst others, such as EIA, are designed with low thermal expansion qualities, making them more dimensionally stable. ESC may happen at any point over the life of your geomembrane, which means you may need to replace it fully before receiving a return on your investment.

Finally, you should not choose a geomembrane merely on the basis of its initial cost. Extra costs will sneak up on you, resulting in a higher total cost over time. Make sure you do your homework and analyse your alternatives before settling on a product that meets both your performance and financial needs.

Costs of a Geomembrane at the Start

The distinctions between high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ethylene interpolymer alloy (EIA) geomembranes (such XR-5® Geomembranes) are discussed in this article to demonstrate the point. The geomembrane cost breakdown categories will be same regardless of the items you’re comparing.
Material expenses, installation fees, and the cost of building quality assurance are the three primary components of initial expenditures (CQA). Although material prices have a significant influence on the lifespan cost of your geomembrane, for less costly materials, labour will consume a significant chunk, if not the whole amount of capital.