As a piping material, plastic has many advantages. It’s cheap, it’s durable and it’s flexible. In many cases plastic piping can be bent sufficiently to avoid the need for joints and so installation time can be drastically reduced. Unlike other piping such as copper, it has little scrap value, so it can also reduce the risk of site theft.

There are however, several different types of plastic piping and it’s important to understand the differences and benefits of each type so you can make an informed choice for your project. Here we take a look at three commonly used types of piping; PVC, CPVC and PEX. We’ll help you to understand how each type differs and their benefits and best use case scenarios.

PVC Piping

PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride piping has been commonly used since the 60s. This type of piping is suitable for most applications except for those involving hot water. It also has a high level of corrosion resistance making these pipes very durable and long-lasting. PVC piping is a low-cost piping so is the most cost-effective option if it serves your purpose. It should be noted though that some building codes do not allow PVC piping to be used for drinking water due to the possibility of toxins being released when the pipes are exposed to UV. However, PVC is a great choice for sink, bath and toilet drains.

CPVC Piping

Unlike PVC, CPVC or Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride piping is suitable for use with hot water systems. CPVC is strong and sturdy, it can tolerate high temperatures and is not affected by high levels of chlorine in the water passing through it. As with PVC, CPVC is also resistant to corrosion. CPVC however, is rather rigid, so while it will have more flexibility than metal pipes, there are other solutions available if you need extra flexibility for your application. It is wise to note though that CPVC can crack if water freezes within the pipes, so it’s best suited to indoor applications only.

PEX Piping

The most commonly used flexible solution that is suitable for both and hot and cold water distribution is PEX or Cross-linked Polyethylene piping. This piping works well with high temperature water and offers more flexibility than CPVC pipes. It is this flexibility that makes PEX so popular, it can literally snake around corners, wherever you need it to go. PEX was introduced in the 80s and has become very common due to the benefits of its flexibility. However, PEX is not rated for outdoor use due to UV exposure degradation, so should only be used for internal projects.

Find the perfect piping for every project

Elysee stocks a huge range of plastic piping, of all types and sizes. So, whatever your piping requirements, you’ll find just what you need at Elysee. Check out Elysee’s catalogue to discover all the options available, with peace of mind that all Elysee products are of the very highest quality and represent great value for money.