When making the choice between copper and PEX for plumbing in The Pinery, think about these factors: 1. **How Long Will It Last?**: Copper has a well-known reputation for longevity. It can be expected to last over 50 years. PEX, while newer to the market, also shows good durability, resistance to scale and chlorine, and can last as long as copper. 2. **Is It Worth My Money?**: PEX is almost always the cheaper option, and it's the easier, more flexible product to use in almost any plumbing situation. PEX's installation savings nearly always make it the more financially sound choice.3. **Expense**: Generally, PEX costs less than copper when you consider both the materials and the labor needed to install them. That doesn't mean PEX is cheap; in fact, during our recent surveys, we found that PEX can cost anywhere from 50 cents to more than a dollar per linear foot. (At the low end, that's way cheaper than copper.) And remember, with either piping material, you're also paying for the fittings that connect one piece to another. 4. **Water quality**: A PEX pipe should not degrade the water quality that travels through it.5. **Environmental Impact**: The footprint of PEX in the production process is fairly low when compared with that of most other construction materials, including metals such as steel; it is much less than the massive amounts of electricity and greenhouse gases emitted by hydroelectric dams, for example. But like all materials, PEX is not without its environmental impacts. Though PEX is not really similar to plastic for most purposes, it still has a lot of the same issues as plastics, namely that they aren't very nice for the environment.7. **Corrosion and Upkeep**: In acidic water, copper can corrode, and this can create tiny leaks. PEX does not corrode and doesn't have this problem. Overall, your specific needs, your budget, and The Pinery's local building regulations will largely determine whether you choose copper or PEX. Some folks around here really like copper for its tried-and-true reliability, not to mention that it doesn't have problems with UV light like PEX does. On the other hand, if you're looking for something that's easy to work with and affordable, PEX might be the way to go. It's probably a good idea to talk to a local plumbing contractor to get some advice on what will work best for you.