Plastic Water Pipe Vs Copper

These strong cross linked polymer pipes were perfected in the 1960s and have since risen in popularity in large part because of their growing track record as a viable alternative to copper.

Plastic water pipe vs copper.

Copper pipes have a long standing history of working well in homes. It is also resistant to cold temperatures and has fewer joints so it may be less costly to install. Check out these other pros and cons. Copper has been used since the late 1940s and gained wide popularity in 1963.

Copper has been the longtime standard for plumbing. More popularized than other metals thanks to its softer material and flexibility copper pipes are slightly more resistant to water corrosion than other metallic pipes and generally is durable for the long term whereas plastic pipes are not. Plastic piping was first manufactured in the 1960s but wasn t widely used until the early 1990s. Some areas do not allow plastic pipes based on environmental concerns.

They are also easier to install which cuts down on labor costs and our plumbers can install them in the small tight areas that copper pipes simply won t fit into. Plastic pipes specifically pex polyethylene pipes have increased in popularity in recent years because they are just as reliable as copper and are more affordable by about 25. Many plumbers prefer to work with copper and although plastic pipe is less expensive than copper the fittings are expensive. However plastic piping pex works well because it is made of a flexible material.

Copper pipes in buildings. The most common plastic piping used in residential water pipes is called pex.