I hear you on the resale thing—some buyers definitely get hung up on “plastic vs. metal,” even if PEX is code-approved everywhere now. In my experience, most insurance companies don’t really care unless you’re talking about old polybutylene or something sketchy. Copper’s great, but with the price these days, I’m not sure it’s worth it unless you’re in a high-end market. Have you ever had a buyer actually walk away because of PEX? Or is it just more of a “feeling” people have?
- Haven’t actually seen a buyer walk away just because of PEX, at least not in my area.
- Most of the concern seems to be perception—people hear “plastic” and think cheap, even though PEX is solid and code everywhere.
- I’ve swapped out a couple bathrooms with PEX and no one’s batted an eye during inspection or sale.
- Copper’s nice, but yeah, the price is wild now. Unless you’re flipping in a luxury neighborhood, I don’t see the ROI.
- Only time I’ve seen real pushback is if the install looks sloppy or there’s visible damage—then buyers get nervous, regardless of material.
Switching Out a Tub for a Walk-In Shower: Copper vs. PEX Pipes?
- Agree with most of what’s been said here. PEX is code-compliant in pretty much every jurisdiction now, and I’ve never seen an inspector flag it just because it’s “plastic.”
- The only time I’ve seen buyers get weird about PEX is if they’ve read horror stories about the old polybutylene stuff from the 80s. PEX isn’t the same animal, but some folks lump them together.
- Copper’s great—solid, lasts forever if your water isn’t super acidic—but the price is just nuts these days. Plus, it’s a magnet for theft if you’re leaving a job site open overnight.
- For a standard bathroom reno, PEX is faster to run, fewer joints, and easier to snake through tight spots. That means less labor cost, too.
- Only caveat: if you’re in a spot with a ton of rodents, they can chew through PEX. Not super common, but I’ve seen it a couple times in older homes.
- Like mentioned above, neatness counts. Sloppy runs, unsupported lines, or visible kinks will make anyone nervous, no matter what material you use.
- Unless you’re doing high-end or historic work where the buyer expects copper, PEX is a solid choice for a walk-in shower swap.
PEX is code-compliant in pretty much every jurisdiction now, and I’ve never seen an inspector flag it just because it’s “plastic.”
- The only time I’ve seen buyers get weird about PEX i...
Copper’s durability is nice, but I’ve always leaned PEX for bathroom updates. Less waste, less energy to produce, and it’s easier to work with—especially if you care about minimizing your reno footprint. Just make sure it’s run clean and supported.
I get the appeal of copper—my old place had it, and honestly, it’s bulletproof if you’re not worried about budget or tricky runs. But after wrestling with a few tight bathroom remodels, I just can’t see going back from PEX. The flexibility is a game changer when you’re snaking lines through weird framing or under floors that refuse to cooperate. Only thing I’d watch for: if your water gets super hot, double-check your PEX rating. Had a buddy whose system ran hotter than average and he had to swap out a section after a few years... not fun. Otherwise, it’s been solid for me.