Choosing the right manifold for a heating installation is crucial for its reliability, durability, and user comfort. The market most commonly features two types of manifolds: brass and stainless steel. Each has its strengths and is suited for slightly different conditions.
Manifolds made from stainless steel are lightweight (easy to install), corrosion-resistant, and usually have a neat finish, even if this isn't a primary concern for most users. They are ideally suited for underfloor heating systems, which require even heat distribution and years of trouble-free operation. Thanks to their resistance to water and high temperatures, they maintain their properties for a long time, even under intensive use - considering that underfloor heating systems generally feature a healthy water environment in a closed loop. However, all of this can also be said about a brass manifold. So, what is the main advantage of stainless steel manifolds?
The main advantage is the attractive price, which makes stainless steel manifolds increasingly popular in modern heating systems.
Brass manifolds have long been considered a synonym for durability and reliability. They are massive, resistant to high pressure and variable operating conditions - more so than their steel counterparts. Brass itself is heavy, but it's also more difficult to process than steel and less plastic, which consequently makes a brass manifold more massive.
Brass manifolds perform excellently in large installations and where the priority is maximum lifespan and strength of the entire system. Brass, as a material traditionally used in heating installations, offers the assurance of long service life, though it usually comes with a higher price tag compared to stainless steel.
✅ In summary - a brass manifold is a more durable solution than a stainless steel one - but also somewhat more expensive. Below, you can compare, for example, manifolds with similar equipment and the same number of sections from the Nordic Tec catalog based on price.
If the installation is for underfloor heating in a small single-family home, in new construction, and where economy and aesthetics are important – a stainless steel manifold will be an excellent choice. On the other hand, for systems requiring exceptional strength and mechanical resistance, for example in larger buildings or installations with high loads, it's better to opt for a brass manifold. As a rule, brass manifolds also have greater resistance to large fluctuations in temperature and pressure.
There is no one universal solution – the best manifold is one that is tailored to the specific installation and the user's expectations. Stainless steel offers modernity, lightness, and a favorable price, while brass offers tradition, solidity, and maximum durability. Therefore, the choice depends on the operating conditions of the heating system and the investor's budget.
The question is whether the price difference makes a real difference to the investor. If it were a difference of 30 or 50%, it would certainly be significant. However, steel manifolds are often only a few dozen zlotys cheaper. Everyone must answer for themselves whether these savings are worth the potential trade-off when weighed against the costs of renovation or the heating installation itself. For this reason, we tend to lean towards brass manifolds, although we do not rule out steel models.
We certainly, however, advise against plastic manifolds, which, fortunately, are much less common on the market today.
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