Home Choices: Do Plastic Pipes Outperform Metal?

From agricultural systems to drinking water pipes, irrespective of what type of pipe system you require, one of the most important decisions you need to make is whether to go for metal pipes or plastic pipes. For many years the former was the most popular option, however that has certainly changed. Nowadays plastic pipes are undoubtedly the preferred solution, since they outperform metal pipes in a variety of ways. Read on to discover more about this in further detail…

First and foremost, one of the ways in which plastic pipes outperform metal is because they have a low heat conductivity. No insulation is necessary when it comes to keeping PVC pipes dry. This is particularly useful when it comes to condensate drains that are utilized for boilers, housing coil heat exchangers, air conditioners and such like. If you were to use copper pipes you would have to insulate them in order to stop them from dripping and sweating, since metal conducts heat well. This makes plastic pipes a lot better for maintaining the water’s temperature as well. 

In addition to this, another benefit associated with plastic pipes is the fact that they are resistant to corrosion. Of course the same cannot be said for metal. Over time the metal pipes are assured to corrode, which will lead to damage and costly repairs. However, plastic pipes are not easily affected by common household chemicals and their exposure to water. They can stand up to the demands of different residential and commercial plumbing requirements. This is particularly beneficial for chemical systems, which tend to be made from PE or PB plastic, as metal will not react well to such strong materials travelling through the pipes.

Another advantage worth taking into account is the fact that plastic pipes are actually a lot easier to install in homes than metal pipes. This is something people do not tend to give much consideration to, as they simply assume that all pipes are pretty much the same in terms of installation but that is not the case. Plastic pipes are really easy to handle and they are lightweight. Not only does this mean it is easier for the pipe system to be installed but it is often cheaper in cost as well, since you can save on transportation fees. 

Plastic also has the added benefit of being non-reactive. What does this mean? Well, in essence, it means you can connect plastic pipes to pipes that have not been made from plastic and you will not experience any issues. Thus, you can easily join a plastic pipe to a metal pipe if you so wish. Nonetheless, the same cannot be said for varying types of metal, since you create a risk of creating a damaging chemical reaction. Using copper and iron together is a prime example of this. If you use these two metals together it can cause corrosion.

When you take all of the points that have been mentioned into account, it is not difficult to see why plastic is the obvious choice for pipework. You also have the added benefit that it is a lot cheaper than metal. This is not only in regards to the cost of production, but also the fact that you will not need to replace your system as regularly, and as already mentioned you will make savings when it comes to the transportation and installation costs as well. There is really no competition between the two now. If you want the best and most effective pipework system you should definitely choose plastic, irrespective of whether you are looking for a chemical system, a construction pipework system, a drinking water system or something entirely different.