A good high pressure misting system is an investment you won’t regret. It will keep your outdoor seating areas cool and comfortable even on the hottest days, and you won’t have to use as much water as a traditional misting system while experiencing far better results.
However, various high-pressure misting systems aren’t made the same. There are always small differences, and for the most part, their different effects are of little consequence.
The same cannot be said about the tubing used.
Tubing used for modern high-pressure misting systems is probably the most mundane part, but your choice of tubing materials can have a dramatic effect on the overall results that you have over the long term and during installation.
Today, we’re going to go over the comparison of stainless steel VS plastic tubing misting kits, the pros and cons of each, and which option is best for you.
Which Materials Can You Choose From?
There are two main options on the market for high-pressure misting system tubing, and the team at aerMist recommends that you stick to these two options whenever you’re looking for a system. Systems that use other materials for tubing will likely have cons that outweigh their pros, and using a different material is usually a cost-saving measure that you end up paying more for in the long run.
The two best options are stainless steel and plastic. By plastic, we mean high pressure PU12 tubing that can withstand high pressures generated by a high pressure misting pump.
Both of these options perform superbly, but they have pros and cons that make them better for different situations. It is your job to determine which one is right for you based on the various conditions that your misting system will have to work under. Of course, contacting us before making a decision is also a great way to learn which tubing material will work best. We’re more than happy to help our customers get the right system for their needs.
The Pros and Cons of Stainless Steel Tubing
Stainless steel tubing is considered a premium option. Obviously, stainless steel is a more robust and durable option than plastic, and that gives it a hefty feeling and sense of quality that you just don’t get with plastic tubing systems.
However, that does not necessarily mean it is the best option for every single situation. In fact, there are several situations where plastic tubing is a lot better than stainless steel tubing.
In this section, we’ll cover the pros and cons of stainless steel tubing before describing best uses for each.
Pros of Stainless Steel Tubing
Stainless steel tubing has quite a few pros. It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly a premium option that will appeal to many.
1: Durability & Wear Resistance
Stainless steel is obviously going to take more of a beating than plastic tubing. It’s steel. Stainless steel is also going to resist normal wear and tear more easily than plastic. It’s less prone to being damaged by sunlight, which is crucial in an outdoor environment, and it’s unlikely to burn or change shape in the heat.
2: Premium Feeling
There’s an aesthetic and textile sense of quality that comes with having steel tubing. There’s nothing wrong with the appearance of plastic, and it is mostly out of sight when you install it properly, but once people notice it, you essentially have a bunch of plastic pipes lining your home. Steel just looks better and feels better. Stainless steel tubing will also form nice straight lines and its looks match well with outdoor exteriors while plastic tubing will resist staying in neat straight lines and in most cases will not be a great match to the outdoor exterior.
The Cons of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is certainly a premium material, but it’s not perfect. There are some drawbacks.
1: Installation Difficulty
Stainless steel has no give. So, installing stainless steel tubing around corners or in complicated areas is more difficult. It is also harder to cut and requires more tools.
2: Cost
Stainless steel costs more than plastic. So, you should expect to pay more for a kit that uses it.
The Pros and Cons of Plastic Tubing
Plastic tubing might not feel very “premium” but it certainly performs well. It also has several benefits over stainless steel tubing in certain situations.
The Pros of Plastic Tubing
Plastic tubing’s benefits make it more suitable for areas where even stainless steel is likely to rust, and it is certainly easier to work with.
1: Damage Resistant
While it’s certainly not as hard as stainless steel, plastic tubing is flexible. This gives it a bit more give, and it can be bent by wind and other things quite a bit before it breaks.
2: Cost and Installation
Plastic tubing is cheaper than stainless steel, and it can be installed more easily. Because it has a little bit of bend to it, it’s easier to install in corners or at angles that are difficult for stainless steel.
The Cons of Plastic Tubing
Plastic tubing certainly isn’t perfect. Here are the cons you should consider.
1: Sunlight
Sunlight, particularly the UV rays in it, will slowly degrade plastic tubing. In ideal conditions for both materials, plastic will degrade much faster.
2: Cheap Appearance
We’ve mentioned this a few times. Plastic, while it works great, does look a bit cheap. If you have a beautiful home exterior, nothing will drag it down quite like a bunch of plastic tubes being mounted to it.
If you have more questions and still don’t know which material works best for you, contact aerMist, and our professional team will be more than happy to help you decide!
