Quick answer: Copper is proven, handles heat and sunlight well and suits exposed runs. PEX is flexible and quicker to install inside walls. Good installation matters more than the material.
If you’re renovating or replacing old pipes, you’ll probably be asked whether you want copper or PEX, the flexible plastic pipe. Both are approved and both work. Here’s how I see the difference.
Copper
- Proven over decades in Australian homes
- Handles heat well and doesn’t mind sunlight on exposed runs
- Rigid, so it takes more skill and time to install
- Costs more in materials
PEX
- Flexible, so it can run through walls with fewer joints
- Quicker to install, which keeps labour down
- Shouldn’t be left exposed to direct sunlight
- Quality varies between brands, so stick with a reputable system
What I usually recommend
For exposed runs, hot water connections and anywhere it might get knocked or sit in the sun, I prefer copper. For long runs inside walls during a renovation, a good-quality PEX system installed properly is a sensible choice. Most of the time the right answer is a bit of both.
What matters more than the material is how it’s installed: proper supports, correct fittings and no shortcuts on joints. A good copper job and a good PEX job will both outlast a bad one of either.
Planning a renovation or repipe in Ryde, Epping or the North Shore? Call me on 0451 001 503 and I’ll tell you what I’d use in your place.
Quick questions
Copper suits exposed runs and hot water connections. Quality PEX is a good choice for long runs inside walls. Many jobs use both.
It should not be left exposed to direct sunlight.
