Kitec vs Wirsbo vs Rehau

Mitch_6

I use Viega with the Ridged pro press system. Still need more fittings out there. Have used some watts did not like the cinch clamp or how loos the fitting fit into the pipe.

We need some standardization, from what I have been told there may be 20 plus brands but they are made by 5 companies and except for the name are identical but we are told not to mix and match.

Like to see what we have to work with ten years or even five years from now after spending all this money on tools.

Mitch S.

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Dave_4

Kitec vs Wirsbo vs Rehau

Installation, Fittings, Tools, Cost, Durability, Integrity - Opinions on how they compare?

John_82

kitec is pex al pex, fittings aint cheep. the others are regular pex, more "name brand".. They all work well...

Tom Kane

different styles of pex..........

There are 3 different styles of pex on the market today in addition to pex-al-pex and the rubber products. They are labeled as pex"a"; pex""b", and pex"c". In Europe there is also a pex "d". The labeling of the various pex products should not be considered as "good, "better", best, but they do have different characteristics. Two examples of Pex"a" are Rehau and Wirsbo. They have a very high degree of cross linking which gives the pipe strength as well as certain characteristics that allow you to put a sleeve over the tubing, expand it, and put it over your final fitting and the tubing will constantly try to regain it's natural shape giving you a very tight, permanent fitting that resists expansion and contraction found within heating systems. The tubing is usually more expensive than the other styles and those specific fittings do require special tools, but when your job is done, the fittings are on there for good. Pex"a" also allows you to use compression fittings and crimp for plumbing. Additionally, if you kink the tubing, you can heat pex"a" with a heat gun and it will regain it's natural shape. The other stles of pex use either compression or crimp and if kinked, some of those mfgr's require a mechanical coupling..........all of these mfgr's usually have pretty good web sites to help you make the right choice for your project.

hr

I prefer PAP for most of my work

both Kitec and Wirsbo offer this tube. Both have compression or crimp fittings available for their PAP. I believe Kitec has a bit larger ID than other brands.

I don't have much Rehau experience, certainly one of the larger tube manufactures with an excellent reputation.

hot rod

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ALH_4

ABC's

Pex-c also has the memory if heated. I've done this with Roth pex many times, though the area is always weakened. Generally pex-a seems more flexible. Safelink pex is also pex-a. Safelink pex is particularly flexible. Pex-c has a bit more of a "substantial" feel to it in my opinion. There is all kinds of info out there on the different methods of cross-linking. Personally, I prefer pex-c in general because it seems to maintain its "roundness" better than pex-a though both are fine. I would never use pex-b. The brass fittings with copper crimp rings are my personal favorite. I have yet to have a failure with a properly adjusted crimp tool.

-Andrew