Pipe work - to chase or to box

Sauveur

I am currently looking at getting central heating and I have a number of options for the exposed pipework running vertically up the walls.

I can put the pipework in the walls, leave it exposed or box it in with some MDF. I know chasing is quite a task to do but I don't want a shabby looking room.

Is it a turn off looking at exposed pipework assuming it is painted and quite tidy? Any suggestions?

ormus

all depends on your budget/time/looks. and which rooms. probably best to bury them in the lounge.
but you could maybe leave them exposed in the kitchen. its up to you.

Jonesya

You could drop it down the walls in plastic trunking, either the cheap rectangular type or for a bit more money, smooth profile D-line type.

http://www.d-line.co.uk/plumbing.php

wallbash

Going with ormus on this . Some places demand chasing in . But areas such as kitchens boxing in might well be an option. Boxing in a corner can be a success but in the middle of a living room , boxing makes no sense.

Gene_Hunt_2

Bury them all while you can.

You'll only wish you did later.

themull1

I would always chase the cable, i hate cables boxed in, it just looks cheap.

Gene_Hunt_2

themull1 wrote: »

I would always chase the cable, i hate cables boxed in, it just looks cheap.

The OP is asking about the pipes.

Sauveur

Gene_Hunt wrote: »

The OP is asking about the pipes.

I've got cables boxed in at the minute and they look awful. Seems it is best to go through the extra time and expense.

Mankysteve

I would box in the corner of the room If something goes wrong then its easy to access, but there shouldn't be much to go wrong though.

27col

All my microbore CH pipes come down from the ceiling. When I installed them I put them into plastic trunking let into the wall so that the lid of the trunking sits just below the skim coat. So, easy to access if required and easy to reinstate afterwards. Of course, the walls had not been rendered when I did this, so there was not much chopping out to do.

phill99

I run a maintenance company and would agree with mankysteve. For maintenance issues, chasing in the pipes is a real problem. I always encourage customers to box in. However I also recommend that they box in in plasterboard and then get it skimmed. May also mean extending any coving (if fitted) and skirting board. However, this gives a superior finish and doesn't just look like standard boxing in - it looks like part of the room. if you need to access for maintenance, you can do so easily and just have to patch up the boxing in and not start to have to re plaster walls etc.