5 Things to Consider When Choosing Pipe Fitting Material

04 Nov.,2024

 

5 Things to Consider When Choosing Pipe Fitting Material

Beginning a plumbing project is challenging whether you're a pro expert plumber or a DIY enthusiast. This guide will explore 5 key factors about water pipe fitting material that will help you make informed decisions. You will be well-equipped to tackle your plumbing project confidently when you finish reading!

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

How to choose pipe Fittings?

Choosing your pipe material is one of the most important decisions when starting your plumbing project. The pipe fitting for your plumbing fixture will play an essential role in the performance and longevity of the supply systems.

Should you choose a PEX fitting or go for a brass one? We'll break it down for you!

Brass Fittings

Plumbers commonly use brass fittings because they don't rust easily and can handle harsh environments. This property allows brass to be used in plumbing, heating systems, and gas lines.

Metpure&#;s brass fittings should be your go-to choice if your project involves applications with strict requirements.

Sweat Copper

People favor Sweat Copper pipe fittings for applications that require a reliable and time-tested material.

Sweat Copper excels in handling high temperatures and pressures. Household drinking water systems or water heaters primarily use sweat copper.

Sweat copper fittings are a top pick if you're looking for durability and reliability.

PEX Fittings

PEX fittings have a reputation for being flexible and easy to use. They are a popular choice in residential pipe systems, offering a good balance between rigidity and flexibility.

PEX is suitable for moderate water pressure and can go through walls and crawlspaces, especially for kitchen sink water lines.

Check out Metpure&#;s PEX fitting collection and choose whatever meets your project's requirements.

Water Filtration Connectors

Water filtration connectors are specialized fittings designed to integrate with water filtration systems.

We chose these connectors for their compatibility with water filtration technology and their ability to maintain water quality.

Metpure offers a variety of water filtration connectors; make sure to verify if your project needs them.

Push-Fit Fittings

People know push-fit fittings for their ease of installation. They are a user-friendly option for a wide range of plumbing applications and best when finding the perfect pipe fitting material.

This fitting material does not rust, and manufacturers design them for convenience. Although their price is a bit high because of their creative design, they do a great job.

Check out Metpure&#;s push-fit fittings.

Press Fittings

Press fittings offer a reliable and efficient way to connect pipes. Applications often use them when a secure and leak-free connection is critical.

People know press fittings for their durability and long-term performance. Metpure offers a diverse variety of six different press fittings. Remember to check out the pipe fitting material collection!

Each type of fitting material has its own set of advantages and limitations. Choose the fitting material based on your plumbing needs, plumbing codes, and budget.

Location

Where you intend to install your plumbing system is critical in determining the type of fittings you require. Different locations have specific demands, and your selected materials must be up to the task.

Outdoor Installations

Outdoor installations require robust and rust-resistant fittings that can handle all weather conditions.

Brass Fittings should be your go-to choice in such cases because of their resilient properties against ultraviolet rays and chemical influences, such as rust and acid rain.

Specialized Installations

Specialized plumbing systems can include water filtration setups and require technologically advanced fittings that can use particular filtration technology.

A good example of specialized installation is the water filtration connectors that are designed for a specific purpose and perform excellently.

 

Pricing

Before embarking on your plumbing project, you must thoroughly evaluate your budget and the extent to which you can use quality materials. While the project's cost is significant, you should also be mindful that quality comes over budget constraints.

If you use cheap materials, they will last up to a couple of months, and you'll end up repurchasing the material and spending more time fixing your plumbing system. It's not worth the hassle!

Several aspects play a role in affecting the cost of your project along with finding the best pipe fitting material. We have dumbed it down to the most important ones to help you decide wisely for your plumbing fixtures.

Let&#;s discuss the key factors one by one.

Size

Size is one of the most critical factors determining the fittings' cost. If the fittings are larger, they would cost more because they require more material and manufacturing power than smaller ones.

Size can also affect the installation cost. The bigger the fitting, the greater the effort and labor required to install the plumbing system.

Material

Material is another factor that influences the cost of your pipe fitting. Materials such as copper or brass are undoubtedly expensive but offer greater durability and can last longer. This value for money plays a more significant role than the price factor.

Goto Ziheng to know more.

We have sorted the material's pricing from low to high to help you decide according to your budget:

  • Push-Fit and PEX fittings (cheaper)

  • Sweat Copper and Press fittings (moderate)

  • Brass fittings and Water Filtration Connectors (expensive)

Ease of Installation

The ease of installation is an essential factor that can affect your budget. Easy-to-install fittings can lower labor costs, making them pricier initially but more economical in the future.

If you have the capital to invest in your plumbing project, consider the ease of installation factor.

Features

Some fittings exhibit hi-tech features such as water-saving and temperature control. This improves functionality but also increases the fitting's price. You should examine the requirements of your project and only go for such features if necessary.

The fitting's cost depends on size, material, installation ease, and features.

Explore Metpure's product collection; it comes at an affordable rate while ensuring fitting sustainability.

Brand Name

Popular plumbing brands in the market are often at the higher spectrum of the price range. However, the quality they offer is also impressive and worth investing in.

However, it is essential to note that quality pipe fittings can be inexpensive. While recognized brands may offer some assurance, you can also look for moderate-cost alternatives that will do your job just as well as any expensive brand.

If you're looking for affordable yet high-quality pipe fittings, go to Metpure's website and navigate the wide range of products that won't break the bank.

Durability

As pipes are often tucked behind walls, it makes durability an important consideration. Durability is proportional to the quality and the system's lifespan depends on it.

You can look at the fitting types mentioned in this article and choose what you think would be durable for your project. Your plumbing system should be solid to not be in a state of frequent repairs.

Conclusion

You must choose the suitable materials and location to ensure your plumbing system is reliable and sustainable. It is also essential to consider factors such as price, durability, and your chosen brand. With this guide, you'll know which pipe fitting suits your project. Make sure to select fittings that will ensure the success of your plumbing project!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) About Fittings

At SSP Fittings Corp., we are a premier manufacturer of tube, pipe, weld, and adapter fitting solutions. Throughout our nearly 100 years in business, we have received a wide variety of questions from customers about fittings. Here, the SSP team provides answers to several of these frequently asked questions (FAQs). 

What is the difference between tube fittings and pipe fittings?

As their name may imply, tube fittings are specifically designed for use with tubes, while pipe fittings are designated for use with pipes. Many people use the terms &#;tube&#; and &#;pipe&#; interchangeably. While the two have some similarities, they are distinct product groups. Here are the main distinctions:  

  • Tubes are round, hollow components identified by outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness (WT). They are utilized for pressure equipment, mechanical, and instrumentation system applications. 
  • Pipes are round hollow components identified by the nominal pipe size (NPS), which provides a rough estimate of the conveyance capacity. They are generally used for fluid distribution and transportation applications. 

To explore the differences in specifications and designs between tube and pipe fittings, check out our dedicated pages for these fitting types below: 


What pipe fitting thread types are available and how do they seal?

Pipe fittings come in a variety of threads types and sizes. Some of the most common thread types are National Pipe Tapered/Straight (NPT/NPS), Male/Female Iron Pipe (MIP/FIP), British Standard Pipe Tapered/Straight (BSP(T)/BSP(S)), and National Unified Special (UNS).

Are tube fittings interchangeable?

To interchange means that the nut and ferrule(s) combination from one brand can be assembled with the body of a compatible brand, and vice-versa, to produce a working, leak-tight fitting. Whether a tube fitting is interchangeable or not will depend on if a brand has specified and certified that their fittings will be compatible with the other brand. Check with the manufacturer to see if they offer resources on the interchangeability of their products &#; you can find SSP&#;s guide to interchanging and intermixing our components with those from Swagelok®, Parker Hannifin®, and Hoke® here.

What are the different types of pipe fittings?

There are many different types of pipe fittings, each of which serves a different role in their end systems. Some of the most common types available are elbows, reducers, couplings, unions, adapters, plugs, caps, and valves. 

What is the difference between male and female pipe fittings?

When talking about pipe fittings, the terms &#;male&#; and &#;female&#; refer to the threads. Male pipe fittings feature threads on an outer surface, while female pipe fittings have the threads on an inner surface. 

What are socket weld fittings?

Socket weld fittings feature recessed areas designated for pipe insertion. Once the pipes are properly inserted into the fitting, the assembly undergoes welding to join the pipe to the fitting. These fittings are generally used for pipes with small diameter (NPS 2 or smaller). 

What is a coupling pipe fitting?

Coupling pipe fittings are short and straight pieces of pipe with sockets or female pipe threads at either or both ends. They allow for the joining of two pipes of equal or dissimilar sizes to help extend or end pipe runs. 

How do I figure out my fitting size?

Determining the right fitting size for tubing systems and piping systems necessitates measuring the pipe/tube appropriately. Fittings for male pipes/tubes are based on the measurement of the outside diameter (OD) of the pipe/tube, while fittings for female pipes/tubes are based on the measurement of the inside diameter (ID) of the pipe/tube. 

For tubing systems, once you have the measurement in hand, it is relatively easy to select the right tubing fitting. For example, for a 1/2-inch tube, you need a 1/2-inch fitting. 

For piping systems, identifying the right size fitting is more involved. Pipe sizes are indicated in terms of nominal diameter rather than actual diameter. As a result, once you have the actual pipe diameter measurement in hand, you need to use a nominal diameter conversion chart to determine the nominal diameter measurement. 

Here is a tubing and pipe sizing chart for reference: 

Choose SSP for Your Fittings

At SSP, our primary goal is to be the installer&#;s supplier of choice. 

We take pride in the exceptional attention to detail and service that we provide to each and every customer and production, even beyond the completion of a project. Our global network of distributors offer personalized, local support, and we are proud to provide products made in America.

Explore our fittings solutions portfolio by clicking here.

Have any other general questions about fittings that we didn&#;t answer here? Contact us and we&#;ll be happy to help! 

 

Want more information on Pipe Fittings Supplier? Feel free to contact us.