Panel plumbing choices - copper, brass or black pipe?

tim smith

That's probably the best looking pex manifold work I have seen. I still like using copper for the looks but that's not bad. I really don't like the idea of mixing so much threaded and pex fittings to get it done but it works it looks like. Nice! Tim PS, don't you love those TT prestige. Great boiler!

Baldrick_2

What is Your personal choice of 1" radiant panel plumbing supplies: copper, brass or black pipe... or maybe PEX?

Brass and black pipe are easy to assemble using nipples, fittings and dope.

PEX requires crimping tool and crimp rings, along with straight pieces of tubing.

Copper... soldering skillz!

tim smith

Copper is king but pricey

A well built manifold of copper will last and is a thing to behold. $$$$$$$$$$$ is the only problem today. I don't think you could make a pex manifold look anywhere decent in this application and Iron is always possible but threads are not always consistent when you have a ton of fittings to do. Just my .02 worth, Tim

Bob Bona_5

mount

the heavy stuff like manifolds, pumps, air seperator, etc. to your panel. Tie it all in w/ a PAP material. I use Fostapex, and it works and looks great.

Kevin O. Pulver_2

Kevin O. Pulver_2

Bob, I agree with Tim

I use some Fostapex for supplies and returns. I really like the looks of the stainless fittings better than other crimp systems. Your boiler does look nice. Though I'd prefer copper, the Viega probably is much quicker and more economical. I've seen some real sloppy pex piping, but not yours! Thanks for the picture. Kevin

Baldrick_2

Once You use brass fittings, wouldn't it be easier to just follow up and go with brass nipples too?

Brass it's probably the most expensive way but there is something appealing there for me.

Black pipe looks like the easiest/cheapest overall without extra tools. My only concern is if it's healthy for the rest of the system.

Bob Bona_4

Thanks guys.

What's cool is that if something in the threaded joints leak, or if you want to expand, all you have to do is reach for your PEX cutters, heck, drain it down at the point of cut!

Bob Bona_4

BI

should be fine. Closed system=dead water. Avoid Asian fittings if you can for the most predictable (read leakproof joints) results.

I would have done some more straight to PEX connections but space was tight and a BI 90 or ST gets me where I want to be in less space than a PEX adapter, sleeve, pex, sleeve, PEX 90.