Most people are asking us to compare PEX Piping vs. Copper Piping. We are pulling all this information from different sites on line that have done research about this.
PEX (or crosslinked polyethylene) is part of a water supply piping system that has several advantages over metal pipe (copper, iron, lead) or rigid plastic pipe (PVC, CPVC, ABS) systems. It is flexible, resistant to scale and chlorine, doesn’t corrode or develop pinholes, is faster to install than metal or rigid plastic, and has fewer connections and fittings.
Advantages of PEX Plumbing
Flexible PEX tube is manufactured by extrusion, and shipped and stored on spools, where rigid plastic or metal piping must be cut to some practical length for shipping and storage. This leads to several advantages, including lower shipping and handling costs due to decreased weight and improved storage options.
PEX plumbing installations require fewer fittings than rigid piping. The flexible tubing can turn 90 degree corners without the need for elbow fittings, and PEX tubing unrolled from spools can be installed in long runs without the need for coupling fittings.
Attaching PEX tube to fittings does not require soldering, and so eliminates the health hazards involved with lead-based solder and acid fluxes; PEX is also safer to install since a torch is not needed to make connections..
PEX resists the scale build-up common with copper pipe, and does not pit or corrode when exposed to acidic water.
PEX is much more resistant to freeze-breakage than copper or rigid plastic pipe.
PEX tubing does not transfer heat as readily as copper, and so conserves energy.
Water flows more quietly through PEX tube, and the characteristic “water hammer” noise of copper pipe systems is virtually eliminated.
PEX plumbing installations cost less because:
PEX is less expensive than copper pipe.
Less time is spent running pipe and installing fittings than with rigid pipe systems.
Installing fewer fittings reduces the chances for expensive callbacks.
PEX connection methods
Standard Connection Method
The standard method for connecting PEX pipe to brass PEX fittings uses a copper crimp ring and a PEX crimping tool. The copper crimp ring is inserted over the pipe, the fitting is inserted inside the pipe, and the copper ring is crimped over the pipe and fitting using the PEX crimping tool. Tools, fittings and crimp rings are available from several suppliers. Information about testing standards for this method can be found on the ASTM standards page.
All this comes from http://www.pexinfo.com
Copper piping
Advantages of Copper:
Durable and flexible, making it easy to installSafer in natural disastersWeather and bacteria-resistantResists corrosion, more so than other metalsUnaffected by ultraviolet rays, so it can be used outsideCopper does not release toxic gases in a fire because it resists burningIn earthquakes, the slightly elastic pipes flex so that they don’t snapCopper is recyclable, making it a more sound environmental choice
Disadvantages of Copper Piping
Can corrode
Has become expensive
With higher levels of copper from corrosion, water can have a metallic taste
Copper can freeze and break during cold water
Compare the prices of PEX and copper piping to help understand the
differencesbetween the two:
PEX Prices
3/8″ – $0.38
1/2″ – $0.40
5/8″ – $0.62
3/4″ – $0.76
1″ – $1.26
Copper Prices
3/8″ – $4.87
1/2″ – $5.67
5/8″ – $7.31
3/4″ – $10.21
1″ – $13.38
http://www.plumbingnetworks.com/info/pex-copper/
This is the PEX piping installed in a new construction home
PEX piping installed in new home
