Barrier pipe instead of copper?

[AuroraBore]

I needed an extension from my outdoor tap to lead from the front to the back garden. The contractor quoted to install a copper pipe extension running along the exterior of the building (above ground).

Work was done yesterday and they have used plastic instead of copper piping! The workman who installed the pipe was a different employee of the firm than the person who first visited/quoted.

I contacted the firm and was told the workman decided to use something called "barrier pipe" instead as it is more frost-resistant and robust than copper.

Is this right? I know nothing about such matters so not sure what to do.

If its external and has not been properly insulated barrier pipe will freeze just as quickly. There are several types of "barrier" pipe from the standard horrible plastic from the likes of JG Speedfit to composite pipes which are a halfway house between copper and plastic an in may ways superior to both.

It is slightly more frost resistant than copper pipe, but as R1R2 said, it should be insulated. It is best to use a type of pipe Insulation called Armaflex as it is hydrophobic. It is a black, smooth insulation and is best suited for wet and freezing areas.
Using barrier pipe is likely to have worked out a lot cheaper than using copper pipe too, in materials and work time, so make sure that they re-calculate the cost too.

Thanks both for your comments. The insulation is definitely not black. I will take a photo of it tomorrow. The pipe is a sort of light grey in colour and is sticking out of the insulation where the pipe joins the tap.

If you can get a picture with the brand name on it to, that would be helpful. I only know of one brand that uses a grey colour nowadays and they fail roughly 50% of the time. It's no surprise when a 25m roll costs less than £1 a metre. So, it would be best if that could be checked as well

I think you are referring to polypipe if its grey... and I would be amazed if it fails 50% of the time... if it did it would be down to human error 99.9% of the time, or wouldnt still be sold

Unless it is ten years old, polypipe comes in white. If you think that I'm lying about certain brands of pipe, look up flofit pipe. Trade bodies that I'm a member of, have constantly warned people against using it. I've never fitted it myself or come across it, but when many other plumbing and heating engineers say the same thing, I'm more inclined to believe them.

Thanks to everyone for your comments. This is a photo showing the insulation. I will get one that shows the pipe tomorrow. The pipe is white in colour.

Sorry I meant the pipe is very light grey in colour.

This is a photo of the pipe. It appears it is white after all! There is no branding on the pipe or insulation.
The insulation is sliced down one side so it can be slipped on and off the pipe as shown in photo.
Any clues will be appreciated!

I would say plastic pipe is marginally better for this purpose, unless you are likely to have rodents chewing it. However you should get a discount as it's much easier to fit and cheaper to buy.
Also it doesn't look anywhere as near as good.
External pipes with stationary water in will freeze regardless of what insulation you put on them, so there must be an isolator at the start of the run, indoors, and a drain off at the lowest point so it can be drained out in winter.

I should have said freeze eventually, it won't freeze as quickly as no insulation. Especially in the tap itself.

Thank you. I will make sure it is drained in winter. There is a stop tap inside.

I will be checking the materials costs carefully when the invoice comes in too!