Durable and convenient – this also applies to your bathroom, where you will need brilliant plumbing items and functional to us as well. Talking about the longevity of plumbing items, Zurn PEX and UPONOR gives a head-to-head competition.
Both the pipes are flexible, but the question comes here which one you will get for your bathroom; Zurn PEX vs. UPONOR, depending on your necessity.
This article will provide you with all the necessary information you will need so that you choose the best product for your bathroom. So, let’s dig straight into it.
A Quick Comparison Table
Here is a quick overview of the comparison between Zurn PEX and UPONOR to briefly overview these two goods.
| Specifications | Zurn PEX | UPONOR |
| Internal texture | Plain | Microscopic bumps |
| Colour | Blue throughout both inside and outside | Blue on the outside but white on the inside of the pipe |
| Softness | Tougher | Comparatively softer |
| Technology | 1968 technology which became famous in America in 1993 | More evolved technology |
| Burst ratio | 1000 psi | 480 psi |
| Leeching | Leeches small amounts of chemicals that are perfectly safe for human consumption | Leeches none at all |
| Hot water recirculation | You can use | Do not use |
| Cost | Costs more | Costs less |
Differences Between Zurn PEX And UPONOR
- Pipe Material
The most important thing to know is that both Zurn and Uponor use the same material for their PEX piping – crosslinked polyethylene resin.
PEX gets its flexibility and strength from molecular crosslinking. This connects the polyethylene polymer chains to create a 3D network, vs being arranged linearly.
Both brands use the Engel method (or PEXa) to manufacture their PEX tubing. This creates crosslinks through exposure to radiation. PEXa is considered superior over the discontinued PEXb chemical method.
So Zurn and Uponor PEX utilize identical underlying material and production technology. The main difference is their unique formulations and additives.
PEX Types: A vs B
In addition to the Engel method, Zurn and Uponor pipes are both PEX Type A. This refers to its specific crosslinking structure.
PEX Type A has the crosslinks spread evenly across the entire thickness of the pipe wall. This makes the material very flexible and able to expand and contract without damage.
Whereas PEX Type B had crosslinks concentrated just on the inner wall surface. Type B piping is being phased out due to issues.
By using PEXa Type A material, Zurn and Uponor pipes deliver maximum flexibility, durability, and performance. Either one meets all PEX standards and requirements.
- Fittings Compatibility
PEX pipes use specially designed fittings to connect pipe sections and route water where needed. Zurn and Uponor PEX utilize slightly different fitting systems:
Zurn PEX is designed for use with Zurn’s own proprietary fittings and hangers. But it also works with most generic PEX fittings, giving you flexibility. Common fitting types like brass crimp or copper crimp rings can be used.
Uponor PEX uses proprietary plastic and brass fittings called ProPEX. These specially designed couplings, elbows, tees, and valve adapters slide into Uponor pipe ends and expand for a secure seal when the connection is tightened.
So Zurn offers more universal fittings compatibility, while Uponor PEX requires their specific ProPEX branded fittings. This is an important consideration during installation.
- Freeze Resistance
One of the main advantages of PEX over metal pipes is its resistance to freezing and potential bursting. Both Zurn and Uponor pipes maintain excellent flexibility and strength, even in freezing conditions.
When tested under ASTM standards, Zurn PEX can withstand over 100 freeze-thaw cycles with no damage or leaks. It’s also safe for permanent outdoor burial.
Likewise, Uponor PEX is engineered for a minimum of 25 years of freeze-thaw reliability. So you can install either brand outdoors or in frigid environments with confidence.
- Maximum Pressure Ratings
Under standard pressure tests at 73°F water temperature, both Zurn PEX and Uponor PEX exceed residential and commercial system requirements:
- Zurn PEX is pressure rated up to 160 psi @ 73°F. More than enough for common 60-100 psi home or business plumbing.
- Uponor PEX has an even higher max pressure threshold of 200 psi @ 73°F before bursting. This provides an extra safety margin.
Higher temperatures do derate those maximum pressures considerably. But both pipes remain sufficient for the majority of hot and cold potable water plumbing uses.
- Internal Structure
The main difference that you can figure out is only by looking at both the pipes. Looking on inside, you can see UPONOR has a lot of undulations.
There are little microscopic bumps. It’s kind of like sharkskin. On the contrary, Zurn PEX is smooth and plain from the inside. This will help you to differentiate them very easily/
- Color
Another outlook difference can be colored. Zurn PEX is a bright blue color both inside and outside the pipe. But the UPONOR pipe has the same blue color on the outside, but it is white inside the pipe.
This is one of the basic differences between Zurn PEX and UPONOR.
- Softness
Now, Zurn, in their marketing, likes to say our pipe is softer, which makes them easier to install. May I ask you a serious question?
Who is precisely going to install this? We don’t care that the pipe is softer. That’s what’s wrong here.
Zurn pipes are much tougher than UPONOR. The reason behind they are soft is because they are cooked for too long
- Burst Ratio
By burst ratio, we meant the amount of pressure per circumference needed to cause irreversible damage to the pipe by bursting. So, you can understand how important the burst ratio is in the case of pipes.
Though Zurn PEX pipes are softer and more flexible, the burst ratio of the pipe is 1000 PSI, whereas, for UPONOR pipes, it’s 480 PSI. That is more than double which shows Zurn can hold more load before bursting as they are much harder.
- Human Consumption
In the case of Zurn pipes, it leeches a small number of chemicals which is perfectly safe for human consumption. So, for the drinking water pipes, Zurn pipes are the best.
In another scene, UPONOR pipes leeches nothing at all. So, they are not safe to drink; you can use them for showers and bathrooms.
- Hot water Circulation
Don’t ever use UPONOR pipes for hot water recirculation systems. You’re not allowed to do that if you put it on a 24-hour timer, that pipe will fall in about three to four years.
Specifically, if you have chloramine in your water, it will eat this pipe alive. It is because of the microscopic bumps.
That is not true for Zurn pipe. You can run 24 hours a day hot water recirculation system through this pipe. It does not have the ends.
- Price
You might find that Zurn PEX pipes are cheaper than UPONOR pipes on the internet. That can be true if you are working with Chinese duplicate versions.
The actual Zurn PEX pipes are more expensive than the UPONOR pipes.
- Availability
Zurn makes their own fittings, allowing them to provide you with any fittings you like easily. But for UPONOR, they have a subcontractor who makes the fittings for them, resulting in the unavailability of fittings.
Here is a great comparison video between the two.
Which One To Pick?
Given the similarities and differences between Zurn PEX and Uponor PEX, which one comes out as the better choice overall?
Zurn PEX pros:
- More affordable price
- Compatible with generic PEX fittings
- Meets all residential and commercial needs
Uponor PEX pros:
- Proprietary fittings made for the tubing
- Withstands slightly higher pressure
- Respected brand reputation
For most home plumbing uses, Zurn and Uponor PEX are essentially equal in quality and performance. The minor differences in pressure rating and fittings don’t matter much.
The cheaper price makes Zurn PEX ideal if you’re looking for costs savings. It will deliver top reliability without paying more for the Uponor brand name.
Uponor PEX is preferred by some professionals because the integrated system requires no guessing about fitting compatibility. And the high 200 psi rating provides an extra factor of safety.
Overall, you can be confident installing either Zurn PEX vs Uponor PEX pipe for long-lasting water delivery in any home or building.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Because Zurn PEX is a relatively innocuous substance, mechanical connections are used to link it. Zurn mechanical connections consist of an insert fitting and a clamp mechanism that connects the tubing to the fitting. Insert fittings have a proven track record of dependability spanning 30 years.
Their warranty says 25 years.
No, they have a subcontractor for that, and every once in a while, they have trouble getting fittings.
Yes, Zurn has expansion options.
No, Zurn PEX and Uponor PEX use proprietary fitting systems that are not cross-compatible. Zurn PEX can use generic PEX fittings, but not Uponor’s ProPEX branded fittings. Likewise, Uponor PEX tubing only works with ProPEX couplings.
Zurn PEX is Type A, which refers to the molecular crosslinking structure. Type A PEX has even, consistent crosslinking across the entire thickness of the pipe wall, making it very flexible. This is superior to the obsolete Type B manufacturing method.
Conclusion
We hope you will find choosing between Zurn PEX vs. UPONOR easier by going through the article. Zurn PEX will be a better choice where they are tougher. It is more rigid, which will result in protection for your bathroom and peace of your mind.
Nonetheless, UPONOR pipes can also choose if you want a cheaper product.
If you are trying to install the pipes yourself, you can go for UPONOR pipes as they are softer, but we will suggest you not to eventually; it will lead to damage. Zurn is more structurally sound, and also, we will recommend taking help from the professionals.
