Buying guide
Which press fittings to choose?
You choose press fittings in three steps: first the pipe, then the brand, and that fixes the press profile. Here you see per brand which profile belongs to it and what to look out for before you start.
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- First the pipe: multilayer pipe for heating, drinking water and underfloor heating; copper, stainless or carbon steel for visible pipework and larger sizes.
- Then the brand: pipe and fittings from the same brand, as the manufacturers require.
- The profile follows from the fitting: multilayer usually TH or U (Uponor S-Press Plus: UP), metal V or M.
- The press jaw: with one set with TH, V, U and M, plus UP, you press all common brands.
Step 1: which pipe?
| Pipe | Used for | Profiles |
|---|---|---|
| Multilayer pipe (PEX-AL-PEX) | heating, drinking water and underfloor heating; light, bendable and DIY friendly | TH, U, UP |
| Copper | drinking water and heating, visible pipework and larger sizes | V, M |
| Stainless steel | drinking water and installations that need to look neat and be strong | V, M |
| Carbon steel | heating and closed systems, not for drinking water | V, M |
Step 2: which brand, which profile?
The profile belongs to the fitting, not to the pipe or the press tool. This table shows per brand and system which profile you press with.
| Brand | System | Pipe | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henco | Press | multilayer | TH |
| Uponor | S-Press Plus | multilayer | UP |
| Uponor | MLC | multilayer | U |
| VSH | MultiPress | multilayer | TH / U |
| VSH | XPress | copper, stainless, carbon steel | M |
| VSH | Sudopress | copper | V |
| VSH | UltraPress | multilayer | TH / U |
| VSH | SmartPress | copper, stainless, carbon steel | V |
| Bonfix | Alu-Press | multilayer | TH / U |
| Bonfix | Pressfitting | copper, stainless, carbon steel | M |
| Comap | Multiskin | multilayer | TH |
| Wavin | Tigris K1 / K5 | multilayer | TH / UP |
| Wavin | Tigris M1 / M5 | multilayer | U / UP |
| Van Marcke | Tubipex | multilayer | TH |
| Pipelife | Radopress | multilayer | TH |
| Nicoll | Fluxo | multilayer | TH |
| Sanivesk | Press | multilayer | TH |
| Pipetec | Press | multilayer | TH |
| Ke-kelit | Kelox | multilayer | U |
| Viega | Profipress | copper | V |
| Viega | Prestabo | carbon steel | V |
| Geberit | Mapress | copper, stainless, carbon steel | M |
| Sanha | Pressfittings | copper | V |
| Seppelfricke | SPS | copper | V / M |
TH / U means: the manufacturer approves the fitting for both. Is your fitting not listed? Choose brand and system in the checker below, or look at the fitting or the packaging.
What to look out for
- One brand per installation. Manufacturers require pipe and fittings from the same brand. With existing pipework you stay with the brand that is already there.
- Leak Before Press. Many fittings leak on purpose as long as they are not pressed, for example Henco (Leak Before Press) and Viega (SC-Contur). During the pressure test you see right away which one you forgot.
- Application. Gas only with a system the manufacturer specifies for gas, such as the yellow gas version from Henco. Compressed air only if the manufacturer lists it as an application.
- Size. Multilayer pipe usually comes in 16, 20, 26 and 32 mm. A fitting narrows the bore: a 20 mm pipe often keeps only 16 mm. When in doubt, go one size up.
- Press or compression. A press joint may be hidden in a wall or floor. Compression fittings can be undone, but are not meant for pipes in the floor or wall. There you use a permanent joint: pressing or soldering.
Step 3: the press jaw
Whichever fittings you choose: one set presses them all. Every set has 1 press jaw and 19 inserts with TH, V, U and M, up to 32 mm multilayer and 28 mm copper. The UP profile for Uponor S-Press Plus is €50 extra. Standard (32 kN) €345, Compact (19 kN) €345, Standard Mini (15 kN) €395. Free shipping across the EU.
Check your fitting
Choose the brand and system of your fitting and you see right away which profile you need.
Frequently asked questions
There is no single best. Choose the pipe that suits your job and stay within one brand. If there is already a system in the house, that brand is usually the easiest choice.
Manufacturers require pipe and fittings from the same brand. We advise against mixing.
A fitting that leaks on purpose as long as it is not pressed. During the pressure test you see right away which joint you forgot. Henco calls it Leak Before Press, Viega SC-Contur.
No, unless the manufacturer approves the fitting for both profiles, like VSH MultiPress and Bonfix Alu-Press (TH or U). Otherwise always use the profile of the fitting.
Pressing is faster and a press joint may be hidden in a wall or floor. Compression works without a press tool and can be undone, but is not meant for concealed pipes. In a wall or floor, choose pressing or soldering.
The profile of your fitting (see the table) in the right size, in a jaw that fits your press tool. The set contains TH, V, U and M; UP is an add-on.
Read more
Which press profile do I need? →
Which press jaw do I need? →
Connecting a heat pump with press fittings →
