The case for PEX
Flexible enough to run through framing with far fewer fittings than rigid copper, which means fewer potential leak points behind finished walls. It doesn't corrode the way galvanized does and handles freeze-thaw better than copper — a real consideration in crawlspace and exterior-wall runs. Faster to rough-in, which matters when phase schedule is the thing everyone's watching. We typically run Uponor expansion-style PEX for residential supply.
The case for copper
Long track record, rigid and self-supporting without the strapping intervals PEX needs, and some jurisdictions or HOAs still specify it. It's also less vulnerable to rodent damage and UV exposure than exposed PEX runs — worth factoring for garages, mechanical rooms, or any exposed section.
Where we land, and why
For most residential new construction, PEX supply with copper stub-outs at fixtures is our default — flexibility and freeze tolerance where it's inside walls, rigid durability where a connection is exposed to view or physical contact. It's not dogma; if your project or jurisdiction calls for something else, we'll run it and tell you honestly why one choice fits your build better than the other.