"Alan" wrote
A builder I know is offering a choice of plastic or copper plumbing in
new home construction. He recommends plastic as he says it is
quieter. He charges the same for either one. Anything else to
consider?

The choice of which material should be dictated by the quality of the water
to be run through it now and anytime in the future. Plastic is not harmed by
anything in water and doesn't add anything to the water run through it as
copper can and does.

Copper (poisoning) is very harmful to humans. Pinhole leaks are very common
in copper tubing. The water damage can be in the tens of thousands of
dollars. Replumbing a house is very expensive also and the usual replacement
material is PEX, or other plastic. If the water is acidic, has high DO CO2
TDS content or anything that will cause erosion corrosion, or bacteria, or
electrical grounds problems etc., copper is not the right choice.
http://tinyurl.com/39o8w

Plastic should be less than copper, and PEX is the lowest priced (system) of
any. The labor is very little for PEX, especially with 'homeruns' from a
manifold to each fixture.

Gary
Quality Water Associates
www.qualitywaterassociates.com
Gary Slusser's Bulletin Board www.qualitywaterassociates.com/phpBB2/