Depending on the age of your home, your plumbing may be copper, PEX or some combination. At Fast-PlumbingAndDrain, we’re asked all the time what the differences are and why one might be more suitable versus the other. Below are the benefits and potential detriments of using one over the other.
PEX Piping
Benefits:
- Cost : PEX tubing typically costs 60–70% less than copper, with significant savings on fittings and labor as well.
- Flexibility : PEX bends and curves around obstacles without fittings, reducing the number of joints (and potential leak points) in a system.
- Freeze resistance : A major advantage: PEX can expand when frozen and return to shape, greatly reducing the risk of burst pipes compared to copper.
- Easy installation : No torch or soldering required. Connections are made with crimp, clamp, or push-fit fittings : very DIY-friendly.
- Quiet operation : Much less prone to the “water hammer” banging noise that copper systems can experience.
- Corrosion proof : Completely immune to the corrosion and pitting that can affect copper in aggressive water conditions.
- Thermal efficiency : PEX loses less heat than copper, slightly improving hot water energy efficiency.
- Color coding : Comes in red (hot), blue (cold), and white (either), making systems intuitive to read and service.
Detriments:
- UV sensitivity : Degrades quickly in direct sunlight. Cannot be used outdoors unless fully shielded.
- Not suitable for exterior or high-heat applications : Lower temperature ceiling than copper (~200°F max).
- Cannot be recycled easily : Unlike copper, PEX has little scrap/recycling value.
- Rodent vulnerability : Mice and rats can and do chew through PEX tubing : a real concern in crawl spaces or rural settings.
- Permeation concerns : PEX can allow trace contaminants to permeate through the pipe wall in soil applications, and some early formulations had taste/odor concerns.
- Not for hot water heater connections : Must transition to copper or other materials within the last 12–18 inches connecting to a water heater due to heat limits.
- Fittings reduce flow : Crimp and clamp fittings insert inside the pipe, slightly reducing the inner diameter and flow rate at connection points.
- Newer track record : While PEX has been used in Europe since the 1970s and in the US since the 1980s, it doesn’t have the century-long track record that copper does.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Copper vs PEX
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Copper | PEX |
|---|---|---|
| Material cost | High | Low |
| Labor / installation cost | High (soldering) | Low (crimp/clamp) |
| Lifespan | 50–100+ years | 25–50 years (estimated) |
| Freeze / burst resistance | Poor | Excellent |
| Heat tolerance | Excellent | Moderate (~200°F) |
| Corrosion resistance | Moderate | Excellent |
| UV / outdoor use | Yes | No |
| Inside walls (code) | Universally accepted | Widely accepted |
| Flexibility | Rigid | Very flexible |
| Recyclable / scrap value | Yes | No |
| Rodent resistance | Yes | No |
| Water hammer noise | Prone | Resistant |
| DIY friendliness | Moderate (torch needed) | Excellent |
| Antimicrobial properties | Yes (natural) | No |
Where Each Is Preferred
| Situation | Better Choice |
|---|---|
| New home construction (supply lines) | PEX (cost & speed) |
| Remodel / retrofit through walls | PEX (flexibility, no torch) |
| Freeze-prone areas / unheated spaces | PEX |
| Exterior or outdoor exposed lines | Copper |
| Near water heater connections | Copper |
| High-end or historical renovation | Copper |
| Crawl spaces with rodent risk | Copper |
| Aggressive/acidic water conditions | PEX |
| Budget-conscious projects | PEX |
| Long-term investment / resale value | Copper (perception) |
A Note on PEX Types
Not all PEX is the same : there are three main types:
- PEX-A : Most flexible, best freeze resistance, most expensive. Uses expansion fittings (full-bore, best flow).
- PEX-B : Most common, slightly stiffer, very reliable. Uses crimp or clamp fittings.
- PEX-C : Least flexible, least common. Not widely recommended for whole-house use.
Bottom Line
For new construction and remodeling, PEX has largely become the industry favorite due to its dramatic cost savings, ease of installation, and excellent freeze resistance. It’s hard to beat for cold climates and budget-conscious projects.
Copper remains the preferred choice where longevity, outdoor exposure, high heat, or rodent risk are factors : and many plumbers and homeowners still prefer it for its proven century-long track record and the peace of mind that comes with it.
In practice, many modern plumbing systems use both : PEX for the bulk of supply runs, and copper at key connection points like water heaters and outdoor spigots.
Fast Plumbing And Drain always verifies local codes when recommending a material.
