Total Polymer System Promotes Durability in 74-Story Skyscraper

A mixed-use, commercial and residential supertall skyscraper in Austin – the tallest building in Texas – needed a sustainable heating and cooling solution for a hotel lobby with soaring ceilings as well as a durable, corrosion-resistant domestic water system that could last for decades.

Traditionally, large-scale projects like this have used metallic piping systems. However, contractors from The Porter Company and MDS Maintenance both opted to install a total polymer domestic water system throughout the building. They had experience with Uponor products and chose Uponor AquaPEX® and Uponor ChlorFIT® Schedule 80 Corzan® CPVC, which provide strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. The Porter Company also installed Wirsbo hePEX™ PEX-a pipe for radiant heating and cooling in the hotel lobby to maintain a comfortable and energy-efficient environment despite the high ceilings in the space.

Compared to metal pipes, the Uponor piping products are more durable over time and lighter in weight, which reduces the physical burden on installers and increases jobsite safety and efficiency.

Product costs and reliability are always important for contractors, but installation efficiency was this team’s top priority to ensure the construction schedule and budget were met. They were also eager to minimize jobsite waste to promote sustainable building practices. Uponor Kitting Services provided prefabrication support for in-unit plumbing installations with customized packages of essential components and plans labeled by room.

The Uponor AquaPEX and ChlorFIT Schedule 80 Corzan CPVC domestic water system at Waterline showcases the diverse abilities of polymer piping systems. The contractors for Waterline chose to install an Uponor polymer piping system because they understood it would be a superior option, durable for the supertall structure and reliable for decades.