PEX-A or PEX-B ?

[Pettrix]

I read about the difference online between the two lines but would like some real world use opinions.

Biggest negative on PEX-B was the inability to bend or flex it. PEX-A is supposedly a lot softer.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

PEX-A is much superior and not that much more money. I just went through the research a week ago, and bought all PEX a for a cabin remodel. I am pulling out all of the old cpvc and replacing with pex a. Check out supplyhouse.com, they have it all and lots of cool videos.

 

[Pettrix]

Can you use SharkBite fittings with PEX-A?

 

[Billrog]

My choice would be PX-B higher bursting strength than A and less prone to oxidation. It is stiffer to use in the bigger sizes 1" and up and kinks can't be fixed with a heat gun but why kink the pipe. All Pex comes with a 25 year warranty but A & B have now been tested for 40 years. I'm not saying anything is wrong with A I've used it a few times. My use is generally laying water lines 3/4" to 1" occasionally 1.25" if that's what the customer wants. I've never had a call back using it with brass compression fittings.
Yes you can all Pex exterior dimensions are the same.

 

[Redneck in training]

If you want to use it for heating you need PEX with oxygen barrier. Rehau makes one of the best PEX fittings money can buy. The sleve are chaper but you need special tools to install it. The presure ring are cost more but no special tool are needed.
REHAU EVERLOC Fitting Demo - YouTube
RAUTITAN - THE NEW GENERATION (EN) - YouTube

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Can you use SharkBite fittings with PEX-A?

Check out supplyhouse.com, they tell you what will work. I'm using crimp bands

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

PEX-A is much superior and not that much more money. I just went through the research a week ago, and bought all PEX a for a cabin remodel. I am pulling out all of the old cpvc and replacing with pex a. Check out supplyhouse.com, they have it all and lots of cool videos.

Check out supplyhouse.com, they tell you what will work. I'm using crimp bands

Here's a third vote for supplyhouse.com. I bought almost all I needed from them when I redid my house a couple of years ago. I used the crimp bands and bought the tool from them. I'm very happy with the results.

 

[Raspy]

I read about the difference online between the two lines but would like some real world use opinions.

Biggest negative on PEX-B was the inability to bend or flex it. PEX-A is supposedly a lot softer.

I've been using both for many years in radiant heating systems. They both work well.
You don't say if you are looking for drinking water PEX or radiant heating PEX. If it's drinking water PEX, look for an NSF-61 rating on the tubing.

Don't sweat the small difference in flexibility as anything that might make the job harder or easier.

If you use PEX, think in PEX and bend it around corners or pull it through areas instead of using a bunch of fitting as you would with copper. Avoid Sharkbite fittings. They work OK, but are not the quality of the crimp ring system. I would never put Sharkbites where I could not get back to them easily. To me they are just a way to get by without much skill, but not the best way.

Here is a link to the NSF rating system:

https://plasticpipe.org/pdf/pex_frequently_asked_quesions.pdf

 

[Pettrix]

I've been using both for many years in radiant heating systems. They both work well.
You don't say if you are looking for drinking water PEX or radiant heating PEX. If it's drinking water PEX, look for an NSF-61 rating on the tubing.

Don't sweat the small difference in flexibility as anything that might make the job harder or easier.

If you use PEX, think in PEX and bend it around corners or pull it through areas instead of using a bunch of fitting as you would with copper. Avoid Sharkbite fittings. They work OK, but are not the quality of the crimp ring system. I would never put Sharkbites where I could not get back to them easily. To me they are just a way to get by without much skill, but not the best way.

It's for a drinking well supply line 1.25"

So SharkBites are not permanent methods of install? I will have access to the SharkBite fitting area via a landscape access box at the pitless adapter.

 

[Billrog]

For a supply line you use Mueller compression fittings.