PEX vs. Copper: Which is Best for Whole-Home Repiping?
Repiping
When replacing the plumbing in your home, you generally have two choices: Copper (the traditional gold standard) or PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene, the modern favorite). Both are excellent, but they serve different needs and budgets.
Copper Piping
- Pros: Extremely durable, fire-resistant, bacteria-resistant, and adds slightly more value to the home resale price. It has a proven track record of 50+ years.
- Cons: Expensive. It is rigid, requiring walls to be opened up more for installation. It is susceptible to bursting if frozen and can corrode if your water is acidic (low pH).
PEX Piping
- Pros: Flexible (can be snaked through walls like a wire, meaning less drywall damage), resists freezing (expands instead of bursting), and costs 30-40% less than copper.
- Cons: Cannot be used outdoors (UV light degrades it). It is newer technology, so we have less 50-year data compared to copper.
The Verdict
For most retrofits, PEX is the winner due to cost savings and easier installation. If you are building a high-end custom home or live in an area with rodents (who sometimes chew plastic), Copper might be worth the premium.