Comparison：Pex Pipe System & Copper Pipe System

PEX (or cross-linked polyethylene) was introduced in the United States around 1980 for use in low temperature radiation systems and water supply systems.

PEX Pipeline Advantage:

1. PEX pipe is better against freezing temperature and anti-burst.

Pex does not degrade like copper. When the ambient temperature is very low, the copper tube will burst but the pex will not.

2. Installation and maintenance are more convenient and efficient.

PEX plastic tubing has a small bending radius and can be rotated 90 degrees. For long distance installation requires, there will be no connection accessories.

Moreover, the pex tube can be connected by tightening the ring or clamping the nut member, no matter which mechanical connection method, it is easier and less toxic than sweating copper connection.

Copper tubes need to be soldered when they are connected, and lead-based solders and acid solders pose health hazards.

3. Cost: Pex tubing is much lower than copper tubing both in terms of production cost and transportation cost.

Pex production costs about 1/3 of the copper tube.

For pipes of the same length and diameter, the transportation cost of pex is only 1/40.The pex pipe can be packaged in coils during transportation, and the copper pipe can only be transported by straight pipe.

4. Convenient transportation: Flexible PEX tubes can be stored and transported in coils, while copper tubes need to be cut to a certain actual length for transport and storage.

5. When water passes through the PEX tube, the unique “water hammer” noise of the copper tube system is almost eliminated.

PEX plastic pipe is better in concealed installation and the outdoor tube is better to choose copper pipe. That is because pex is not as UV-resistant as copper tubes.

If you have any different opinions, discussion is welcomed.