There's a number of hose couplings and connectors available, the important thing is making sure the couplings you choose are compatible and suited to what you need.
Below are our four distinct types of hose couplings, and some examples of when they are most commonly used.
When it comes to choosing hose couplings, here are a few things that you need to know before we get started:
- The size (usually 6mm, 8mm, or 12.5mm), this refers to the tail of the coupling and so it needs to match the internal diameter of the hose.
- Hose sizes are always measured according to the internal diameter (ID). A common mistake is to grab your hose and measure the entire cross section.
- Couplings are usually categorised as 'male' or 'female'. Without getting into GSCE biology, the male generally plugs into the female and has no moving parts.
- Series 21 and Series 26 couplings are not compatible, even though they look similar!
1. Hozelock Compatible
This type of connector will fit with the consumer products found in most garden and DIY stores (such as B&Q), this means they can quickly connect with other types of hosing and connectors that you might find in the standard garden, including most garden tap fittings. They are commonly found on Window Cleaning starter kits because of this.
Hozelock compatible fittings can be found in a few sizes.
Male Sizes: The male couplings are available to fit 6mm, 8mm or 12.5mm hose (commonly referred to as garden hose size, or 1/2'').
Female Sizes: The female couplings are available to fit 8mm or 12.5mm hose (again, garden hose, or 1/2'').
2. Series 21 Couplings
The most common couplings found in Window Cleaning but also the type that have a million names depending on where you normally buy them and where in the world you are.
The Series 21 couplings are commonly known as 'microbore', 'rectus 21' or 'EZ Snap', though there are absolutely other names. They are quick-release couplings suitable for 6mm or 8mm hose.
These couplings are most commonly used to connect pole hose to a window cleaning hose reel, backpack, or water source. They are available to purchase as standard male and female connectors, and some of the female couplings will have a tap built in.
Please Note: At a glance these couplings look very similar to the Series 26, but are considerably smaller.
Male Sizes: The male couplings are available to fit 6mm, or 8mm
Female Sizes: The female couplings are available to fit 6mm, 8mm or 12.5mm hose (again, garden hose, or 1/2'').
3. Series 26 Couplings
Very similar in shape to the Series 21 couplings, the Series 26 couplings (sometimes known as Rectus 26) are robust quick-release couplings, but a good bit chunkier in shape and weight.
This makes them suitable for hoses as large as 12.5mm (1/2''), as well as the usual 6mm and 8mm hoses. These couplings are commonly found on van-mounted systems, on bumper-mounted ports, and on Window Cleaning hose reel inlets.
Male Sizes: The male couplings are available to fit 6mm, 8mm, or 12.5mm (1/2'')
Female Sizes: The female couplings are available to fit 6mm, 8mm or 12.5mm hose (again, garden hose, or 1/2'').
4. Slick-Connect
The first hose coupling designed specifically for water-fed Window Cleaning. These bayonet style fittings are incredibly robust, and come with bespoke covers that keep them from breaking, and from catching on corners, bins, tyres and anything else.
Slick-Connect couplings can be purchased in 6mm or 8mm sizes which means they aren't suited for larger 12.5mm hose (1/2'').
They're made from a strong but lightweight plastic. They may sound flimsy but trust us, they're anything but!
Male Sizes: The male couplings are available to fit 6mm or 8mm
Female Sizes: The female couplings are available to fit 6mm or 8mm
