Heater hose replacement

1994 Tarus, 3.0. Got a leak in one of the heater hoses under the hood. Can the factory hose be replaced with rubber hose rather than the factory metal pipe? Should the hose be the same length as the original? Is inside hose diameter a factor other than needing to fit on the nipple? Thanks

I replaced the metal lines coming from and going to my heater core with Gates heater hose and Gates plastic connectors on my 1999 Taurus. It seems to be working ok with no problems and It was alot cheaper. I think the hose was 16mm. Hope this helps........Ed