Various types of pipes are used in district heating/cooling networks:

- Plastic-coated pipe PCP: Medium pipe usually made of steel, less commonly plastic or copper. Coating pipe made of high-density polyethylene (PE-HD). This is now the standard type used.

- Steel-coated pipe SMR: Medium pipe and coating pipe made of steel. These are used more often in industrial plants and in steam and high-temperature networks because they are very robust.

- Flexible plastic casing pipes or composite pipes: Medium pipe made of PEX, PE-Xa, multi-layer composite, corrugated stainless steel pipe. These are often used for house connections and renovations where good bending radii are required.

- Glass fibre reinforced plastic pipes (GRP): mainly used in district cooling. They are lightweight, easy to install and corrosion-free, but the usable temperature range is limited.

- Plastic pipes without jacket: used in low-cost district cooling applications, only at low temperatures and pressures.

- Stainless steel corrugated pipes: for smaller networks and transfer stations, as they are more expensive.

- Special pipe systems

 

Plastic jacketed pipes and flexible pipes are generally available in both single pipe (uno, etc.) and double pipe (Twinpipe, DUO) versions. For other materials, single pipe and double pipe versions can be built as special solutions.

The following examples are not exhaustive.