diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 30159560..bbe0330d 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -52,3 +52,6 @@ uuid = { version = ">= 0.1, < 0.4", optional = true }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 url = "1.0"
+
+[replace]
+"fallible-iterator:0.1.2" = { git = "https://github.com/sfackler/rust-fallible-iterator" }
diff --git a/codegen/src/main.rs b/codegen/src/main.rs
index f7143a40..0ab7eab1 100644
--- a/codegen/src/main.rs
+++ b/codegen/src/main.rs
@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@ use std::ascii::AsciiExt;
 use std::path::Path;
 
 mod sqlstate;
-mod types;
+mod type_gen;
 
 fn main() {
     let path = Path::new("../src");
     sqlstate::build(path);
-    types::build(path);
+    type_gen::build(path);
 }
 
 fn snake_to_camel(s: &str) -> String {
diff --git a/codegen/src/types.rs b/codegen/src/type_gen.rs
similarity index 99%
rename from codegen/src/types.rs
rename to codegen/src/type_gen.rs
index 5b73e3ec..49607538 100644
--- a/codegen/src/types.rs
+++ b/codegen/src/type_gen.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ struct Type {
 }
 
 pub fn build(path: &Path) {
-    let mut file = BufWriter::new(File::create(path.join("types/types.rs")).unwrap());
+    let mut file = BufWriter::new(File::create(path.join("types/type_gen.rs")).unwrap());
 
     let ranges = parse_ranges();
     let types = parse_types(&ranges);
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 34ebabfa..31ed551a 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -528,7 +528,7 @@ impl InnerConnection {
         let mut values = vec![];
         for (param, ty) in params.iter().zip(param_types) {
             let mut buf = vec![];
-            match try!(param.to_sql_checked(ty, &mut buf, &SessionInfo::new(self))) {
+            match try!(param.to_sql_checked(ty, &mut buf, &SessionInfo::new(self)).map_err(Error::Conversion)) {
                 IsNull::Yes => values.push(None),
                 IsNull::No => values.push(Some(buf)),
             }
@@ -671,18 +671,30 @@ impl InnerConnection {
 
         let (name, type_, elem_oid, rngsubtype, basetype, schema, relid) = {
             let ctx = SessionInfo::new(self);
-            let name = try!(String::from_sql(&Type::Name, &mut &**row[0].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx));
-            let type_ = try!(i8::from_sql(&Type::Char, &mut &**row[1].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx));
-            let elem_oid = try!(Oid::from_sql(&Type::Oid, &mut &**row[2].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx));
+            let name = try!(String::from_sql(&Type::Name, &mut &**row[0].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx)
+                .map_err(Error::Conversion));
+            let type_ = try!(i8::from_sql(&Type::Char, &mut &**row[1].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx)
+                .map_err(Error::Conversion));
+            let elem_oid = try!(Oid::from_sql(&Type::Oid, &mut &**row[2].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx)
+                .map_err(Error::Conversion));
             let rngsubtype = match row[3] {
-                Some(ref data) => try!(Option::<Oid>::from_sql(&Type::Oid, &mut &**data, &ctx)),
-                None => try!(Option::<Oid>::from_sql_null(&Type::Oid, &ctx)),
+                Some(ref data) => {
+                    try!(Option::<Oid>::from_sql(&Type::Oid, &mut &**data, &ctx)
+                        .map_err(Error::Conversion))
+                },
+                None => {
+                    try!(Option::<Oid>::from_sql_null(&Type::Oid, &ctx)
+                        .map_err(Error::Conversion))
+                },
             };
-            let basetype = try!(Oid::from_sql(&Type::Oid, &mut &**row[4].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx));
+            let basetype = try!(Oid::from_sql(&Type::Oid, &mut &**row[4].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx)
+                .map_err(Error::Conversion));
             let schema = try!(String::from_sql(&Type::Name,
                                                &mut &**row[5].as_ref().unwrap(),
-                                               &ctx));
-            let relid = try!(Oid::from_sql(&Type::Oid, &mut &**row[6].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx));
+                                               &ctx)
+                .map_err(Error::Conversion));
+            let relid = try!(Oid::from_sql(&Type::Oid, &mut &**row[6].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx)
+                .map_err(Error::Conversion));
             (name, type_, elem_oid, rngsubtype, basetype, schema, relid)
         };
 
@@ -743,7 +755,8 @@ impl InnerConnection {
         for row in rows {
             variants.push(try!(String::from_sql(&Type::Name,
                                                 &mut &**row[0].as_ref().unwrap(),
-                                                &ctx)));
+                                                &ctx)
+                .map_err(Error::Conversion)));
         }
 
         Ok(variants)
@@ -778,8 +791,10 @@ impl InnerConnection {
                 let ctx = SessionInfo::new(self);
                 let name = try!(String::from_sql(&Type::Name,
                                                  &mut &**row[0].as_ref().unwrap(),
-                                                 &ctx));
-                let type_ = try!(Oid::from_sql(&Type::Oid, &mut &**row[1].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx));
+                                                 &ctx)
+                    .map_err(Error::Conversion));
+                let type_ = try!(Oid::from_sql(&Type::Oid, &mut &**row[1].as_ref().unwrap(), &ctx)
+                    .map_err(Error::Conversion));
                 (name, type_)
             };
             let type_ = try!(self.get_type(type_));
diff --git a/src/rows.rs b/src/rows.rs
index bd22b1b0..11ad9b13 100644
--- a/src/rows.rs
+++ b/src/rows.rs
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ impl<'a> Row<'a> {
             Some(ref data) => FromSql::from_sql(ty, &mut &**data, &SessionInfo::new(&*conn)),
             None => FromSql::from_sql_null(ty, &SessionInfo::new(&*conn)),
         };
-        Some(value)
+        Some(value.map_err(Error::Conversion))
     }
 
     /// Retrieves the specified field as a raw buffer of Postgres data.
diff --git a/src/types/bit_vec.rs b/src/types/bit_vec.rs
index ea50d813..2ed262c8 100644
--- a/src/types/bit_vec.rs
+++ b/src/types/bit_vec.rs
@@ -1,20 +1,16 @@
 extern crate bit_vec;
 
-use std::io::prelude::*;
-use byteorder::{ReadBytesExt, WriteBytesExt, BigEndian};
+use postgres_protocol::types;
 use self::bit_vec::BitVec;
+use std::error::Error;
 
-use Result;
-use types::{FromSql, ToSql, IsNull, Type, SessionInfo, downcast};
+use types::{FromSql, ToSql, IsNull, Type, SessionInfo};
 
 impl FromSql for BitVec {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<BitVec> {
-        let len = try!(raw.read_i32::<BigEndian>()) as usize;
-        let mut bytes = vec![];
-        try!(raw.take(((len + 7) / 8) as u64).read_to_end(&mut bytes));
-
-        let mut bitvec = BitVec::from_bytes(&bytes);
-        while bitvec.len() > len {
+    fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<BitVec, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        let varbit = try!(types::varbit_from_sql(raw));
+        let mut bitvec = BitVec::from_bytes(varbit.bytes());
+        while bitvec.len() > varbit.len() {
             bitvec.pop();
         }
 
@@ -25,14 +21,8 @@ impl FromSql for BitVec {
 }
 
 impl ToSql for BitVec {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 _: &Type,
-                                 mut out: &mut W,
-                                 _: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
-        try!(out.write_i32::<BigEndian>(try!(downcast(self.len()))));
-        try!(out.write_all(&self.to_bytes()));
-
+    fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, mut out: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        try!(types::varbit_to_sql(self.len(), self.to_bytes().into_iter(), out));
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
diff --git a/src/types/chrono.rs b/src/types/chrono.rs
index 66f24e29..1945b682 100644
--- a/src/types/chrono.rs
+++ b/src/types/chrono.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,10 @@
 extern crate chrono;
 
-use std::io::prelude::*;
-use byteorder::{ReadBytesExt, WriteBytesExt, BigEndian};
+use postgres_protocol::types;
 use self::chrono::{Duration, NaiveDate, NaiveTime, NaiveDateTime, DateTime, UTC, Local,
                    FixedOffset};
+use std::error::Error;
 
-use Result;
-use error::Error;
 use types::{FromSql, ToSql, IsNull, Type, SessionInfo};
 
 fn base() -> NaiveDateTime {
@@ -14,8 +12,8 @@ fn base() -> NaiveDateTime {
 }
 
 impl FromSql for NaiveDateTime {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<NaiveDateTime> {
-        let t = try!(raw.read_i64::<BigEndian>());
+    fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<NaiveDateTime, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        let t = try!(types::timestamp_from_sql(raw));
         Ok(base() + Duration::microseconds(t))
     }
 
@@ -23,16 +21,12 @@ impl FromSql for NaiveDateTime {
 }
 
 impl ToSql for NaiveDateTime {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 _: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 _: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let time = match (*self - base()).num_microseconds() {
             Some(time) => time,
-            None => return Err(Error::Conversion("value too large to transmit".into())),
+            None => return Err("value too large to transmit".into()),
         };
-        try!(w.write_i64::<BigEndian>(time));
+        types::timestamp_to_sql(time, w);
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
@@ -41,7 +35,7 @@ impl ToSql for NaiveDateTime {
 }
 
 impl FromSql for DateTime<UTC> {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(type_: &Type, raw: &mut R, info: &SessionInfo) -> Result<DateTime<UTC>> {
+    fn from_sql(type_: &Type, raw: &[u8], info: &SessionInfo) -> Result<DateTime<UTC>, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let naive = try!(NaiveDateTime::from_sql(type_, raw, info));
         Ok(DateTime::from_utc(naive, UTC))
     }
@@ -50,11 +44,7 @@ impl FromSql for DateTime<UTC> {
 }
 
 impl ToSql for DateTime<UTC> {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 type_: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 info: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, type_: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, info: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         self.naive_utc().to_sql(type_, w, info)
     }
 
@@ -63,7 +53,7 @@ impl ToSql for DateTime<UTC> {
 }
 
 impl FromSql for DateTime<Local> {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(type_: &Type, raw: &mut R, info: &SessionInfo) -> Result<DateTime<Local>> {
+    fn from_sql(type_: &Type, raw: &[u8], info: &SessionInfo) -> Result<DateTime<Local>, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let utc = try!(DateTime::<UTC>::from_sql(type_, raw, info));
         Ok(utc.with_timezone(&Local))
     }
@@ -72,11 +62,7 @@ impl FromSql for DateTime<Local> {
 }
 
 impl ToSql for DateTime<Local> {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 type_: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 info: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, type_: &Type, mut w: &mut Vec<u8>, info: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         self.with_timezone(&UTC).to_sql(type_, w, info)
     }
 
@@ -85,10 +71,7 @@ impl ToSql for DateTime<Local> {
 }
 
 impl FromSql for DateTime<FixedOffset> {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(type_: &Type,
-                         raw: &mut R,
-                         info: &SessionInfo)
-                         -> Result<DateTime<FixedOffset>> {
+    fn from_sql(type_: &Type, raw: &[u8], info: &SessionInfo) -> Result<DateTime<FixedOffset>, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let utc = try!(DateTime::<UTC>::from_sql(type_, raw, info));
         Ok(utc.with_timezone(&FixedOffset::east(0)))
     }
@@ -97,11 +80,7 @@ impl FromSql for DateTime<FixedOffset> {
 }
 
 impl ToSql for DateTime<FixedOffset> {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 type_: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 info: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, type_: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, info: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         self.with_timezone(&UTC).to_sql(type_, w, info)
     }
 
@@ -110,8 +89,8 @@ impl ToSql for DateTime<FixedOffset> {
 }
 
 impl FromSql for NaiveDate {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<NaiveDate> {
-        let jd = try!(raw.read_i32::<BigEndian>());
+    fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<NaiveDate, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        let jd = try!(types::date_from_sql(raw));
         Ok(base().date() + Duration::days(jd as i64))
     }
 
@@ -119,17 +98,13 @@ impl FromSql for NaiveDate {
 }
 
 impl ToSql for NaiveDate {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 _: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 _: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let jd = (*self - base().date()).num_days();
         if jd > i32::max_value() as i64 || jd < i32::min_value() as i64 {
-            return Err(Error::Conversion("value too large to transmit".into()));
+            return Err("value too large to transmit".into());
         }
 
-        try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(jd as i32));
+        types::date_to_sql(jd as i32, w);
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
@@ -138,8 +113,8 @@ impl ToSql for NaiveDate {
 }
 
 impl FromSql for NaiveTime {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<NaiveTime> {
-        let usec = try!(raw.read_i64::<BigEndian>());
+    fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<NaiveTime, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        let usec = try!(types::time_from_sql(raw));
         Ok(NaiveTime::from_hms(0, 0, 0) + Duration::microseconds(usec))
     }
 
@@ -147,17 +122,13 @@ impl FromSql for NaiveTime {
 }
 
 impl ToSql for NaiveTime {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 _: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 _: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let delta = *self - NaiveTime::from_hms(0, 0, 0);
         let time = match delta.num_microseconds() {
             Some(time) => time,
-            None => return Err(Error::Conversion("value too large to transmit".into())),
+            None => return Err("value too large to transmit".into()),
         };
-        try!(w.write_i64::<BigEndian>(time));
+        types::time_to_sql(time, w);
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
diff --git a/src/types/eui48.rs b/src/types/eui48.rs
index 0aea4e98..534c62bb 100644
--- a/src/types/eui48.rs
+++ b/src/types/eui48.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
 extern crate eui48;
 
-use std::io::prelude::*;
-
 use self::eui48::MacAddress;
+use std::error::Error;
+use postgres_protocol::types;
 
 use types::{FromSql, ToSql, Type, IsNull, SessionInfo};
-use Result;
 
 impl FromSql for MacAddress {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<MacAddress> {
-        let mut bytes = [0; 6];
-        try!(raw.read_exact(&mut bytes));
+    fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<MacAddress, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        let bytes = try!(types::macaddr_from_sql(raw));
         Ok(MacAddress::new(bytes))
     }
 
@@ -18,8 +16,10 @@ impl FromSql for MacAddress {
 }
 
 impl ToSql for MacAddress {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut W, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull> {
-        try!(w.write_all(self.as_bytes()));
+    fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        let mut bytes = [0; 6];
+        bytes.copy_from_slice(self.as_bytes());
+        types::macaddr_to_sql(bytes, w);
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
diff --git a/src/types/mod.rs b/src/types/mod.rs
index a6383690..fa71a71d 100644
--- a/src/types/mod.rs
+++ b/src/types/mod.rs
@@ -1,19 +1,18 @@
 //! Traits dealing with Postgres data types
 
+use fallible_iterator::FallibleIterator;
+use postgres_protocol::types::{self, ArrayDimension};
 use std::collections::HashMap;
-use std::error;
+use std::error::Error;
 use std::fmt;
-use std::io::prelude::*;
 use std::sync::Arc;
-use byteorder::{ReadBytesExt, WriteBytesExt, BigEndian};
 
 #[doc(inline)]
-pub use postgres_protocol::message::Oid;
+pub use postgres_protocol::Oid;
 
-pub use self::types::Type;
+pub use self::type_gen::Type;
 pub use self::special::{Date, Timestamp};
-use {Result, SessionInfoNew, InnerConnection, OtherNew, WrongTypeNew, FieldNew};
-use error::Error;
+use {SessionInfoNew, InnerConnection, OtherNew, WrongTypeNew, FieldNew};
 
 /// Generates a simple implementation of `ToSql::accepts` which accepts the
 /// types passed to it.
@@ -37,9 +36,9 @@ macro_rules! to_sql_checked {
     () => {
         fn to_sql_checked(&self,
                           ty: &$crate::types::Type,
-                          out: &mut ::std::io::Write,
+                          out: &mut ::std::vec::Vec<u8>,
                           ctx: &$crate::types::SessionInfo)
-                          -> $crate::Result<$crate::types::IsNull> {
+                          -> ::std::result::Result<$crate::types::IsNull, Box<::std::error::Error + ::std::marker::Sync + ::std::marker::Send>> {
             $crate::types::__to_sql_checked(self, ty, out, ctx)
         }
     }
@@ -48,11 +47,11 @@ macro_rules! to_sql_checked {
 // WARNING: this function is not considered part of this crate's public API.
 // It is subject to change at any time.
 #[doc(hidden)]
-pub fn __to_sql_checked<T>(v: &T, ty: &Type, out: &mut Write, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull>
+pub fn __to_sql_checked<T>(v: &T, ty: &Type, out: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>>
     where T: ToSql
 {
     if !T::accepts(ty) {
-        return Err(Error::Conversion(Box::new(WrongType(ty.clone()))));
+        return Err(Box::new(WrongType(ty.clone())));
     }
     v.to_sql(ty, out, ctx)
 }
@@ -73,7 +72,7 @@ mod chrono;
 mod eui48;
 
 mod special;
-mod types;
+mod type_gen;
 
 /// A structure providing information for conversion methods.
 pub struct SessionInfo<'a> {
@@ -214,11 +213,11 @@ pub struct WasNull;
 
 impl fmt::Display for WasNull {
     fn fmt(&self, fmt: &mut fmt::Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
-        fmt.write_str(error::Error::description(self))
+        fmt.write_str(self.description())
     }
 }
 
-impl error::Error for WasNull {
+impl Error for WasNull {
     fn description(&self) -> &str {
         "a Postgres value was `NULL`"
     }
@@ -237,7 +236,7 @@ impl fmt::Display for WrongType {
     }
 }
 
-impl error::Error for WrongType {
+impl Error for WrongType {
     fn description(&self) -> &str {
         "cannot convert to or from a Postgres value"
     }
@@ -303,12 +302,12 @@ impl WrongTypeNew for WrongType {
 /// `FromSql` is implemented for `Vec<T>` where `T` implements `FromSql`, and
 /// corresponds to one-dimensional Postgres arrays.
 pub trait FromSql: Sized {
-    /// Creates a new value of this type from a `Read`er of the binary format
-    /// of the specified Postgres `Type`.
+    /// Creates a new value of this type from a buffer of data of the specified
+    /// Postgres `Type` in its binary format.
     ///
     /// The caller of this method is responsible for ensuring that this type
     /// is compatible with the Postgres `Type`.
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(ty: &Type, raw: &mut R, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Self>;
+    fn from_sql(ty: &Type, raw: &[u8], ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Self, Box<Error + Sync + Send>>;
 
     /// Creates a new value of this type from a `NULL` SQL value.
     ///
@@ -316,10 +315,10 @@ pub trait FromSql: Sized {
     /// is compatible with the Postgres `Type`.
     ///
     /// The default implementation returns
-    /// `Err(Error::Conversion(Box::new(WasNull))`.
+    /// `Err(Box::new(WasNull))`.
     #[allow(unused_variables)]
-    fn from_sql_null(ty: &Type, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Self> {
-        Err(Error::Conversion(Box::new(WasNull)))
+    fn from_sql_null(ty: &Type, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Self, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        Err(Box::new(WasNull))
     }
 
     /// Determines if a value of this type can be created from the specified
@@ -328,11 +327,11 @@ pub trait FromSql: Sized {
 }
 
 impl<T: FromSql> FromSql for Option<T> {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(ty: &Type, raw: &mut R, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Option<T>> {
+    fn from_sql(ty: &Type, raw: &[u8], ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Option<T>, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         <T as FromSql>::from_sql(ty, raw, ctx).map(Some)
     }
 
-    fn from_sql_null(_: &Type, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Option<T>> {
+    fn from_sql_null(_: &Type, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Option<T>, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         Ok(None)
     }
 
@@ -341,49 +340,26 @@ impl<T: FromSql> FromSql for Option<T> {
     }
 }
 
-impl FromSql for bool {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<bool> {
-        Ok(try!(raw.read_u8()) != 0)
-    }
-
-    accepts!(Type::Bool);
-}
-
 impl<T: FromSql> FromSql for Vec<T> {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(ty: &Type, raw: &mut R, info: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Vec<T>> {
+    fn from_sql(ty: &Type, raw: &[u8], info: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Vec<T>, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let member_type = match *ty.kind() {
             Kind::Array(ref member) => member,
             _ => panic!("expected array type"),
         };
 
-        let dimensions = try!(raw.read_i32::<BigEndian>());
-        if dimensions > 1 {
-            return Err(Error::Conversion("array contains too many dimensions".into()));
+        let array = try!(types::array_from_sql(raw));
+        if try!(array.dimensions().count()) > 1 {
+            return Err("array contains too many dimensions".into());
         }
 
-        let _has_nulls = try!(raw.read_i32::<BigEndian>());
-        let _member_oid = try!(raw.read_u32::<BigEndian>());
-
-        if dimensions == 0 {
-            return Ok(vec![]);
-        }
-
-        let count = try!(raw.read_i32::<BigEndian>());
-        let _index_offset = try!(raw.read_i32::<BigEndian>());
-
-        let mut out = Vec::with_capacity(count as usize);
-        for _ in 0..count {
-            let len = try!(raw.read_i32::<BigEndian>());
-            let value = if len < 0 {
-                try!(T::from_sql_null(&member_type, info))
-            } else {
-                let mut raw = raw.take(len as u64);
-                try!(T::from_sql(&member_type, &mut raw, info))
-            };
-            out.push(value)
-        }
-
-        Ok(out)
+        array.values()
+            .and_then(|v| {
+                match v {
+                    Some(v) => T::from_sql(&member_type, v, info),
+                    None => T::from_sql_null(&member_type, info),
+                }
+            })
+            .collect()
     }
 
     fn accepts(ty: &Type) -> bool {
@@ -395,20 +371,16 @@ impl<T: FromSql> FromSql for Vec<T> {
 }
 
 impl FromSql for Vec<u8> {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Vec<u8>> {
-        let mut buf = vec![];
-        try!(raw.read_to_end(&mut buf));
-        Ok(buf)
+    fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Vec<u8>, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        Ok(types::bytea_from_sql(raw).to_owned())
     }
 
     accepts!(Type::Bytea);
 }
 
 impl FromSql for String {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<String> {
-        let mut buf = vec![];
-        try!(raw.read_to_end(&mut buf));
-        String::from_utf8(buf).map_err(|err| Error::Conversion(Box::new(err)))
+    fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<String, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        types::text_from_sql(raw).map(|b| b.to_owned())
     }
 
     fn accepts(ty: &Type) -> bool {
@@ -420,19 +392,11 @@ impl FromSql for String {
     }
 }
 
-impl FromSql for i8 {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<i8> {
-        Ok(try!(raw.read_i8()))
-    }
-
-    accepts!(Type::Char);
-}
-
-macro_rules! primitive_from {
+macro_rules! simple_from {
     ($t:ty, $f:ident, $($expected:pat),+) => {
         impl FromSql for $t {
-            fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<$t> {
-                Ok(try!(raw.$f::<BigEndian>()))
+            fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<$t, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+                types::$f(raw)
             }
 
             accepts!($($expected),+);
@@ -440,47 +404,20 @@ macro_rules! primitive_from {
     }
 }
 
-primitive_from!(i16, read_i16, Type::Int2);
-primitive_from!(i32, read_i32, Type::Int4);
-primitive_from!(u32, read_u32, Type::Oid);
-primitive_from!(i64, read_i64, Type::Int8);
-primitive_from!(f32, read_f32, Type::Float4);
-primitive_from!(f64, read_f64, Type::Float8);
+simple_from!(bool, bool_from_sql, Type::Bool);
+simple_from!(i8, char_from_sql, Type::Char);
+simple_from!(i16, int2_from_sql, Type::Int2);
+simple_from!(i32, int4_from_sql, Type::Int4);
+simple_from!(u32, oid_from_sql, Type::Oid);
+simple_from!(i64, int8_from_sql, Type::Int8);
+simple_from!(f32, float4_from_sql, Type::Float4);
+simple_from!(f64, float8_from_sql, Type::Float8);
 
 impl FromSql for HashMap<String, Option<String>> {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type,
-                         raw: &mut R,
-                         _: &SessionInfo)
-                         -> Result<HashMap<String, Option<String>>> {
-        let mut map = HashMap::new();
-
-        let count = try!(raw.read_i32::<BigEndian>());
-
-        for _ in 0..count {
-            let key_len = try!(raw.read_i32::<BigEndian>());
-            let mut key = vec![0; key_len as usize];
-            try!(raw.read_exact(&mut key));
-            let key = match String::from_utf8(key) {
-                Ok(key) => key,
-                Err(err) => return Err(Error::Conversion(Box::new(err))),
-            };
-
-            let val_len = try!(raw.read_i32::<BigEndian>());
-            let val = if val_len < 0 {
-                None
-            } else {
-                let mut val = vec![0; val_len as usize];
-                try!(raw.read_exact(&mut val));
-                match String::from_utf8(val) {
-                    Ok(val) => Some(val),
-                    Err(err) => return Err(Error::Conversion(Box::new(err))),
-                }
-            };
-
-            map.insert(key, val);
-        }
-
-        Ok(map)
+    fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<HashMap<String, Option<String>>, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        try!(types::hstore_from_sql(raw))
+            .map(|(k, v)| (k.to_owned(), v.map(|v| v.to_owned())))
+            .collect()
     }
 
     fn accepts(ty: &Type) -> bool {
@@ -556,7 +493,7 @@ pub enum IsNull {
 /// 1.
 pub trait ToSql: fmt::Debug {
     /// Converts the value of `self` into the binary format of the specified
-    /// Postgres `Type`, writing it to `out`.
+    /// Postgres `Type`, appending it to `out`.
     ///
     /// The caller of this method is responsible for ensuring that this type
     /// is compatible with the Postgres `Type`.
@@ -564,9 +501,7 @@ pub trait ToSql: fmt::Debug {
     /// The return value indicates if this value should be represented as
     /// `NULL`. If this is the case, implementations **must not** write
     /// anything to `out`.
-    fn to_sql<W: ?Sized>(&self, ty: &Type, out: &mut W, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull>
-        where Self: Sized,
-              W: Write;
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, out: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> where Self: Sized;
 
     /// Determines if a value of this type can be converted to the specified
     /// Postgres `Type`.
@@ -576,35 +511,25 @@ pub trait ToSql: fmt::Debug {
     ///
     /// *All* implementations of this method should be generated by the
     /// `to_sql_checked!()` macro.
-    fn to_sql_checked(&self, ty: &Type, out: &mut Write, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull>;
+    fn to_sql_checked(&self, ty: &Type, out: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>>;
 }
 
 impl<'a, T> ToSql for &'a T
     where T: ToSql
 {
-    to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 ty: &Type,
-                                 out: &mut W,
-                                 ctx: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, out: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         (*self).to_sql(ty, out, ctx)
     }
 
     fn accepts(ty: &Type) -> bool {
         T::accepts(ty)
     }
+
+    to_sql_checked!();
 }
 
 impl<T: ToSql> ToSql for Option<T> {
-    to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 ty: &Type,
-                                 out: &mut W,
-                                 ctx: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, out: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         match *self {
             Some(ref val) => val.to_sql(ty, out, ctx),
             None => Ok(IsNull::Yes),
@@ -614,55 +539,35 @@ impl<T: ToSql> ToSql for Option<T> {
     fn accepts(ty: &Type) -> bool {
         <T as ToSql>::accepts(ty)
     }
-}
 
-impl ToSql for bool {
     to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 _: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 _: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
-        try!(w.write_u8(*self as u8));
-        Ok(IsNull::No)
-    }
-
-    accepts!(Type::Bool);
 }
 
 impl<'a, T: ToSql> ToSql for &'a [T] {
-    to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 ty: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 ctx: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let member_type = match *ty.kind() {
             Kind::Array(ref member) => member,
             _ => panic!("expected array type"),
         };
 
-        try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(1)); // number of dimensions
-        try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(1)); // has nulls
-        try!(w.write_u32::<BigEndian>(member_type.oid()));
-
-        try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(try!(downcast(self.len()))));
-        try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(1)); // index offset
-
-        let mut inner_buf = vec![];
-        for e in *self {
-            match try!(e.to_sql(&member_type, &mut inner_buf, ctx)) {
-                IsNull::No => {
-                    try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(try!(downcast(inner_buf.len()))));
-                    try!(w.write_all(&inner_buf));
-                }
-                IsNull::Yes => try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(-1)),
+        let dimensions = [
+            ArrayDimension {
+                len: try!(downcast(self.len())),
+                lower_bound: 1,
             }
-            inner_buf.clear();
-        }
+        ];
 
+        try!(types::array_to_sql(dimensions.iter().cloned(),
+                                 true,
+                                 member_type.oid(),
+                                 self.iter(),
+                                 |e, w| {
+                                     match try!(e.to_sql(member_type, w, ctx)) {
+                                         IsNull::No => Ok(types::IsNull::No),
+                                         IsNull::Yes => Ok(types::IsNull::Yes),
+                                     }
+                                 },
+                                 w));
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
@@ -672,48 +577,48 @@ impl<'a, T: ToSql> ToSql for &'a [T] {
             _ => false,
         }
     }
+
+    to_sql_checked!();
 }
 
 impl<'a> ToSql for &'a [u8] {
-    to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut W, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull> {
-        try!(w.write_all(*self));
+    fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        types::bytea_to_sql(*self, w);
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
     accepts!(Type::Bytea);
+
+    to_sql_checked!();
 }
 
 impl<T: ToSql> ToSql for Vec<T> {
-    to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self, ty: &Type, w: &mut W, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         <&[T] as ToSql>::to_sql(&&**self, ty, w, ctx)
     }
 
     fn accepts(ty: &Type) -> bool {
         <&[T] as ToSql>::accepts(ty)
     }
+
+    to_sql_checked!();
 }
 
 impl ToSql for Vec<u8> {
-    to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self, ty: &Type, w: &mut W, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         <&[u8] as ToSql>::to_sql(&&**self, ty, w, ctx)
     }
 
     fn accepts(ty: &Type) -> bool {
         <&[u8] as ToSql>::accepts(ty)
     }
+
+    to_sql_checked!();
 }
 
 impl<'a> ToSql for &'a str {
-    to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut W, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull> {
-        try!(w.write_all(self.as_bytes()));
+    fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        types::text_to_sql(*self, w);
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
@@ -724,81 +629,49 @@ impl<'a> ToSql for &'a str {
             _ => false,
         }
     }
+
+    to_sql_checked!();
 }
 
 impl ToSql for String {
-    to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self, ty: &Type, w: &mut W, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         <&str as ToSql>::to_sql(&&**self, ty, w, ctx)
     }
 
     fn accepts(ty: &Type) -> bool {
         <&str as ToSql>::accepts(ty)
     }
-}
 
-impl ToSql for i8 {
     to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 _: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 _: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
-        try!(w.write_i8(*self));
-        Ok(IsNull::No)
-    }
-
-    accepts!(Type::Char);
 }
 
-macro_rules! to_primitive {
+macro_rules! simple_to {
     ($t:ty, $f:ident, $($expected:pat),+) => {
         impl ToSql for $t {
-            to_sql_checked!();
-
-            fn to_sql<W: Write+?Sized>(&self, _: &Type, mut w: &mut W, _: &SessionInfo)
-                                       -> Result<IsNull> {
-                try!(w.$f::<BigEndian>(*self));
+            fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+                types::$f(*self, w);
                 Ok(IsNull::No)
             }
 
             accepts!($($expected),+);
+
+            to_sql_checked!();
         }
     }
 }
 
-to_primitive!(i16, write_i16, Type::Int2);
-to_primitive!(i32, write_i32, Type::Int4);
-to_primitive!(u32, write_u32, Type::Oid);
-to_primitive!(i64, write_i64, Type::Int8);
-to_primitive!(f32, write_f32, Type::Float4);
-to_primitive!(f64, write_f64, Type::Float8);
+simple_to!(bool, bool_to_sql, Type::Bool);
+simple_to!(i8, char_to_sql, Type::Char);
+simple_to!(i16, int2_to_sql, Type::Int2);
+simple_to!(i32, int4_to_sql, Type::Int4);
+simple_to!(u32, oid_to_sql, Type::Oid);
+simple_to!(i64, int8_to_sql, Type::Int8);
+simple_to!(f32, float4_to_sql, Type::Float4);
+simple_to!(f64, float8_to_sql, Type::Float8);
 
 impl ToSql for HashMap<String, Option<String>> {
-    to_sql_checked!();
-
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 _: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 _: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
-        try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(try!(downcast(self.len()))));
-
-        for (key, val) in self {
-            try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(try!(downcast(key.len()))));
-            try!(w.write_all(key.as_bytes()));
-
-            match *val {
-                Some(ref val) => {
-                    try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(try!(downcast(val.len()))));
-                    try!(w.write_all(val.as_bytes()));
-                }
-                None => try!(w.write_i32::<BigEndian>(-1)),
-            }
-        }
-
+    fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        try!(types::hstore_to_sql(self.iter().map(|(k, v)| (&**k, v.as_ref().map(|v| &**v))), w));
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
@@ -808,11 +681,13 @@ impl ToSql for HashMap<String, Option<String>> {
             _ => false,
         }
     }
+
+    to_sql_checked!();
 }
 
-fn downcast(len: usize) -> Result<i32> {
+fn downcast(len: usize) -> Result<i32, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
     if len > i32::max_value() as usize {
-        Err(Error::Conversion("value too large to transmit".into()))
+        Err("value too large to transmit".into())
     } else {
         Ok(len as i32)
     }
diff --git a/src/types/rustc_serialize.rs b/src/types/rustc_serialize.rs
index 812b46d7..82a21b1c 100644
--- a/src/types/rustc_serialize.rs
+++ b/src/types/rustc_serialize.rs
@@ -1,39 +1,33 @@
 extern crate rustc_serialize;
 
 use self::rustc_serialize::json;
-use std::io::prelude::*;
-use byteorder::{ReadBytesExt, WriteBytesExt};
+use std::io::{Cursor, Write};
+use byteorder::ReadBytesExt;
+use std::error::Error;
 
-use Result;
-use error::Error;
 use types::{FromSql, ToSql, IsNull, Type, SessionInfo};
 
 impl FromSql for json::Json {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(ty: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<json::Json> {
+    fn from_sql(ty: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<json::Json, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        let mut raw = Cursor::new(raw);
         if let Type::Jsonb = *ty {
             // We only support version 1 of the jsonb binary format
             if try!(raw.read_u8()) != 1 {
-                return Err(Error::Conversion("unsupported JSONB encoding version".into()));
+                return Err("unsupported JSONB encoding version".into());
             }
         }
-        json::Json::from_reader(raw).map_err(|err| Error::Conversion(Box::new(err)))
+        json::Json::from_reader(&mut raw).map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     accepts!(Type::Json, Type::Jsonb);
 }
 
 impl ToSql for json::Json {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 ty: &Type,
-                                 mut out: &mut W,
-                                 _: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, mut out: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         if let Type::Jsonb = *ty {
-            try!(out.write_u8(1));
+            out.push(1);
         }
-
         try!(write!(out, "{}", self));
-
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
diff --git a/src/types/serde_json.rs b/src/types/serde_json.rs
index 6e73d361..709233ec 100644
--- a/src/types/serde_json.rs
+++ b/src/types/serde_json.rs
@@ -1,39 +1,32 @@
 extern crate serde_json;
 
-use std::io::prelude::*;
-use byteorder::{ReadBytesExt, WriteBytesExt};
+use byteorder::ReadBytesExt;
 use self::serde_json::Value;
+use std::error::Error;
+use std::io::Write;
 
-use Result;
-use error::Error;
 use types::{FromSql, ToSql, IsNull, Type, SessionInfo};
 
 impl FromSql for Value {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(ty: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Value> {
+    fn from_sql(ty: &Type, mut raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Value, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         if let Type::Jsonb = *ty {
             // We only support version 1 of the jsonb binary format
             if try!(raw.read_u8()) != 1 {
-                return Err(Error::Conversion("unsupported JSONB encoding version".into()));
+                return Err("unsupported JSONB encoding version".into());
             }
         }
-        serde_json::de::from_reader(raw).map_err(|err| Error::Conversion(Box::new(err)))
+        serde_json::de::from_reader(raw).map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     accepts!(Type::Json, Type::Jsonb);
 }
 
 impl ToSql for Value {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 ty: &Type,
-                                 mut out: &mut W,
-                                 _: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, mut out: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         if let Type::Jsonb = *ty {
-            try!(out.write_u8(1));
+            out.push(1);
         }
-
         try!(write!(out, "{:?}", self));
-
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
diff --git a/src/types/special.rs b/src/types/special.rs
index 63d4b3fd..79a1e554 100644
--- a/src/types/special.rs
+++ b/src/types/special.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,7 @@
-use std::io::prelude::*;
+use postgres_protocol::types;
 use std::{i32, i64};
+use std::error::Error;
 
-use byteorder::{ReadBytesExt, WriteBytesExt, BigEndian};
-
-use Result;
-use error::Error;
 use types::{Type, FromSql, ToSql, IsNull, SessionInfo};
 
 /// A wrapper that can be used to represent infinity with `Type::Date` types.
@@ -19,18 +16,11 @@ pub enum Date<T> {
 }
 
 impl<T: FromSql> FromSql for Date<T> {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(ty: &Type, raw: &mut R, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Self> {
-        if *ty != Type::Date {
-            return Err(Error::Conversion("expected date type".into()));
-        }
-
-        let mut buf = [0; 4];
-        try!(raw.read_exact(buf.as_mut()));
-
-        match try!(buf.as_ref().read_i32::<BigEndian>()) {
+    fn from_sql(ty: &Type, raw: &[u8], ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Self, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        match try!(types::date_from_sql(raw)) {
             i32::MAX => Ok(Date::PosInfinity),
             i32::MIN => Ok(Date::NegInfinity),
-            _ => T::from_sql(ty, &mut &mut buf.as_ref(), ctx).map(Date::Value),
+            _ => T::from_sql(ty, raw, ctx).map(Date::Value),
         }
     }
 
@@ -39,22 +29,14 @@ impl<T: FromSql> FromSql for Date<T> {
     }
 }
 impl<T: ToSql> ToSql for Date<T> {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 ty: &Type,
-                                 out: &mut W,
-                                 ctx: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
-        if *ty != Type::Date {
-            return Err(Error::Conversion("expected date type".into()));
-        }
-
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, out: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let value = match *self {
             Date::PosInfinity => i32::MAX,
             Date::NegInfinity => i32::MIN,
             Date::Value(ref v) => return v.to_sql(ty, out, ctx),
         };
 
-        try!(out.write_i32::<BigEndian>(value));
+        types::date_to_sql(value, out);
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
@@ -78,18 +60,11 @@ pub enum Timestamp<T> {
 }
 
 impl<T: FromSql> FromSql for Timestamp<T> {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(ty: &Type, raw: &mut R, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Self> {
-        if *ty != Type::Timestamp && *ty != Type::Timestamptz {
-            return Err(Error::Conversion("expected timestamp or timestamptz type".into()));
-        }
-
-        let mut buf = [0; 8];
-        try!(raw.read_exact(buf.as_mut()));
-
-        match try!(buf.as_ref().read_i64::<BigEndian>()) {
+    fn from_sql(ty: &Type, raw: &[u8], ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Self, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        match try!(types::timestamp_from_sql(raw)) {
             i64::MAX => Ok(Timestamp::PosInfinity),
             i64::MIN => Ok(Timestamp::NegInfinity),
-            _ => T::from_sql(ty, &mut &mut buf.as_ref(), ctx).map(Timestamp::Value),
+            _ => T::from_sql(ty, raw, ctx).map(Timestamp::Value),
         }
     }
 
@@ -99,22 +74,14 @@ impl<T: FromSql> FromSql for Timestamp<T> {
 }
 
 impl<T: ToSql> ToSql for Timestamp<T> {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 ty: &Type,
-                                 out: &mut W,
-                                 ctx: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
-        if *ty != Type::Timestamp && *ty != Type::Timestamptz {
-            return Err(Error::Conversion("expected timestamp or timestamptz type".into()));
-        }
-
+    fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, out: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let value = match *self {
             Timestamp::PosInfinity => i64::MAX,
             Timestamp::NegInfinity => i64::MIN,
             Timestamp::Value(ref v) => return v.to_sql(ty, out, ctx),
         };
 
-        try!(out.write_i64::<BigEndian>(value));
+        types::timestamp_to_sql(value, out);
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
diff --git a/src/types/time.rs b/src/types/time.rs
index ef5860d8..b38a2e27 100644
--- a/src/types/time.rs
+++ b/src/types/time.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 extern crate time;
 
-use byteorder::{ReadBytesExt, WriteBytesExt, BigEndian};
 use self::time::Timespec;
-use std::io::prelude::*;
+use std::error::Error;
+use postgres_protocol::types;
 
-use Result;
 use types::{Type, FromSql, ToSql, IsNull, SessionInfo};
 
 const USEC_PER_SEC: i64 = 1_000_000;
@@ -14,8 +13,8 @@ const NSEC_PER_USEC: i64 = 1_000;
 const TIME_SEC_CONVERSION: i64 = 946684800;
 
 impl FromSql for Timespec {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Timespec> {
-        let t = try!(raw.read_i64::<BigEndian>());
+    fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Timespec, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        let t = try!(types::timestamp_from_sql(raw));
         let mut sec = t / USEC_PER_SEC + TIME_SEC_CONVERSION;
         let mut usec = t % USEC_PER_SEC;
 
@@ -31,13 +30,9 @@ impl FromSql for Timespec {
 }
 
 impl ToSql for Timespec {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self,
-                                 _: &Type,
-                                 mut w: &mut W,
-                                 _: &SessionInfo)
-                                 -> Result<IsNull> {
+    fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
         let t = (self.sec - TIME_SEC_CONVERSION) * USEC_PER_SEC + self.nsec as i64 / NSEC_PER_USEC;
-        try!(w.write_i64::<BigEndian>(t));
+        types::timestamp_to_sql(t, w);
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
diff --git a/src/types/types.rs b/src/types/type_gen.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from src/types/types.rs
rename to src/types/type_gen.rs
diff --git a/src/types/uuid.rs b/src/types/uuid.rs
index cbc6f9a1..9e616d77 100644
--- a/src/types/uuid.rs
+++ b/src/types/uuid.rs
@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
 extern crate uuid;
 
-use std::io::prelude::*;
-
+use postgres_protocol::types;
 use self::uuid::Uuid;
+use std::error::Error;
+
 use types::{FromSql, ToSql, Type, IsNull, SessionInfo};
-use Result;
 
 impl FromSql for Uuid {
-    fn from_sql<R: Read>(_: &Type, raw: &mut R, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Uuid> {
-        let mut bytes = [0; 16];
-        try!(raw.read_exact(&mut bytes));
+    fn from_sql(_: &Type, raw: &[u8], _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Uuid, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        let bytes = try!(types::uuid_from_sql(raw));
         Ok(Uuid::from_bytes(&bytes).unwrap())
     }
 
@@ -17,8 +16,8 @@ impl FromSql for Uuid {
 }
 
 impl ToSql for Uuid {
-    fn to_sql<W: Write + ?Sized>(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut W, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull> {
-        try!(w.write_all(self.as_bytes()));
+    fn to_sql(&self, _: &Type, w: &mut Vec<u8>, _: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull, Box<Error + Sync + Send>> {
+        types::uuid_to_sql(*self.as_bytes(), w);
         Ok(IsNull::No)
     }
 
diff --git a/tests/types/mod.rs b/tests/types/mod.rs
index 62db4255..91a53f9e 100644
--- a/tests/types/mod.rs
+++ b/tests/types/mod.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::error;
 use std::f32;
 use std::f64;
 use std::fmt;
 use std::io::{Read, Write};
+use std::result;
 
 use postgres::{Connection, TlsMode, Result};
 use postgres::error::Error;
@@ -251,9 +253,7 @@ fn domain() {
     struct SessionId(Vec<u8>);
 
     impl ToSql for SessionId {
-        fn to_sql<W: ?Sized>(&self, ty: &Type, out: &mut W, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<IsNull>
-            where W: Write
-        {
+        fn to_sql(&self, ty: &Type, out: &mut Vec<u8>, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> result::Result<IsNull, Box<error::Error + Sync + Send>> {
             let inner = match *ty.kind() {
                 Kind::Domain(ref inner) => inner,
                 _ => unreachable!(),
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ fn domain() {
     }
 
     impl FromSql for SessionId {
-        fn from_sql<R: Read>(ty: &Type, raw: &mut R, ctx: &SessionInfo) -> Result<Self> {
+        fn from_sql(ty: &Type, raw: &[u8], ctx: &SessionInfo) -> result::Result<Self, Box<error::Error + Sync + Send>> {
             Vec::<u8>::from_sql(ty, raw, ctx).map(SessionId)
         }