Copper or plastic pipes for mixer shower

[lostdiyer]

I’m in the process of install a mixer shower and trying to decide to use copper or plastic push fit pipes feeding into the shower plate.
The house has plastic pipes in most places. Does it matter which one I use?

 

[denso13]

Does it matter which one I use?

Not really, is it a built in shower?

 

[lostdiyer]

Not really, is it a built in shower?

It’s for a thermostatic shower

 

[denso13]

It’s for a thermostatic shower

Built in, with just the control showing, or exposed, like a bar mixer?

 

[lostdiyer]

Built in, with just the control showing, or exposed, like a bar mixer?

Bar mixer

 

[lostdiyer]

Bar mixer

I’m thinking maybe plastic up to the shower plate and a push fit elbow feeding copper pipes into the shower plate?

 

[denso13]

I'd prefer soldered copper for that, I wouldn't use push fit fittings which would be covered up.

 

[lostdiyer]

I'd prefer soldered copper for that, I wouldn't use push fit fittings which would be covered up.

The only issue with this setup is that plastic pipes run up to the shower plate under the floor and then transition to copper as they emerge from the floor, using a coupler.

Given that there’s already a push-fit coupler behind the wall, wouldn’t using a push-fit elbow be the same? In both cases, there would be one push-fit fitting behind the wall.

 

[Rodders53]

I wouldn't use push fit fittings which would be covered up.

I'll bet there are dozens of push-fit connections in the OP's house (under floors, within walls) if using plastic pipes for water and central heating.

I know there are plenty in my home. More since the mice gnawed their way through a load and they had to be repaired.

I'd want full bore accessible isolating valves on the pipes feeding the bar mixer for maintenance purposes.

 

[lostdiyer]

I'll bet there are dozens of push-fit connections in the OP's house (under floors, within walls) if using plastic pipes for water and central heating.

I know there are plenty in my home. More since the mice gnawed their way through a load and they had to be repaired.

I'd want full bore accessible isolating valves on the pipes feeding the bar mixer for maintenance purposes.

Yes, push fit behind many floors/walls.

In re to the isolation valves, I have no idea where to put them as the pipes feed out of the wall behind a cavity wall. The pipes will be covered with the shower tray and tiles once done so won’t be accessible.

 

[denso13]

I'll bet there are dozens of push-fit connections in the OP's house (under floors, within walls) if using plastic pipes for water and central heating.

Could be, and I'm not anti push fit, just giving my honest opinion having seen a few disasters over the years.