Copper Vs Plastic Pipes – Which is the better option?

Copper Vs Plastic Pipes – Which is the better option?
Deciding between the use of copper or plastic pipes for a build in an important decision to make. Swapping pipe materials mid build could lead to wasted money and time as you would need to purchase multiple parts and adaptors for the various piping materials. It is therefore incredibly important to decide on which material to use before beginning.

Copper is the traditional material used for plumbing pipes, offering plumbers the flexibility of swapping out parts and was the highly popular choice when it came to pipe insulation. While it has had a lot of time as the marketing leading plumbing installation, is it still the best option for you?

THE PROS

• Durable, copper can last a long time
• Copper can handle heat without losing structural integrity
• Copper resists corrosion and high water pressure
• Copper is more easily usable outdoors
• Copper has a long history of durability and long-term usage

THE CONS

• Copper can be more expensive and less flexible than their plastic alternative
• If not treated with filtering, tap water may taste metallic
• Not resistant to sweating (insulation)
• Pipes can burst if water freezes internally

Copper pipes have a long-standing history of working well in homes. They are a more popular material than other metal pipes due to being made from a softer material increasing their flexibility, copper pipes are also slightly more resistant to corrosion than other metallic pipes and are generally more durable than plastic pipes. Due to being a metallic material, the pipes are a conductor for heat and that heat or cooling can be lost as the water moves through the system without proper insulation, this can also cause a potential danger to children, if copper pipes are exposed where children can put their hands the is a potential for harm.

Plastic pipes are growing in popularity due to numerous factors, namely their flexibility and cheaper price. While there are generalisations that can be made across different plastic materials for the sake of this article we will be focusing on PVC, one of the more commonly used materials for plastic piping.

THE PROS

• PVC is resistant to many acids and halogens
• PVC can carry hot water if a skilled plumber chooses the correct material
• Simple and faster install options
• Cheap/Lower price point than copper
• Low noise emission and faster water flow
• Very little temperature conduction

THE CONS

• Not resistant to solvent
• Choosing the correct PVC pipes for hot water may be tricky to ensure longevity of the pipe
• Vulnerable to expansion and shrinkage pending the temperature of the liquids
• Shorter pipe life
• Weaker material (may need additional support)
• Not ideal for outdoor use (UV light can damage plastic pipes)
• If using under floorboards it may be vulnerable to damage by rodents

When trying to decide if copper or plastic piping will work best for you, there are several questions you will need to ask yourself. Will the pipes be exposed outdoors, face intense heat, face different types of water with inorganic material? Clearly, there are many different pros and cons to both copper and plastic pipes, if in doubt always ask an experienced professional.