Is copper pipe all the same?

siricosm · Mar 11, 2020

I am about to replace the microbore heating system in my house, and need to buy all the copper pipe and fittings. In Canada, copper pipe came in different grades, and if you wanted top quality you could buy the thicker "L" type pipe, rather than the thinner "M" that is mostly used. Here in the UK it looks like it is all the same at Wickes, Screwfix, etc. They don't even list the type, so I assume it is all similar to the North American "M" grade.

So is it all the same? or are there better quality brands/grades to go for? Are there brands to avoid?

ShaunCorbs · Mar 11, 2020

Mostly all the same just keep to the branded stuff eg Wednesbury black label

Gasmk1 · Mar 12, 2020

We used to have different grades years ago but now all copper seems similar but as above stick to branded WRAS Equivalent of Table X, Table Y and Table W copper tube - https://www.wras.co.uk/resources/interpretations_and_advice/installation/i34/

Scott_D · Mar 12, 2020

Get one thats to a british standard

centralheatking · Mar 12, 2020

I have always preferred Wednesbury Tube it has the required wall thickness and when we did medi gas in hospitals and laboratory’s the NHS specified Wednesbury. I looked it up just and to my surprise most of the big names, screwfix etc sell it as standard. We used to pipe bend and swage joints so decent wall thickness is essential. Centralheatking