finally found the perfect pipes for my DIY project

"PVC seemed cheaper and copper felt like the 'classic' choice"

Yeah, I was fully team copper at first - thought it was the only way to go. But after wrestling with soldering (and nearly torching my drywall...), PEX became my new best friend. Lesson learned the hard way, I guess.

The flexibility is a real plus, but local code and the specific fittings and tools a job needs matter too. Those can outweigh the pipe’s price or how easily it bends, so it’s worth checking what’s approved for the application before choosing.

For a retrofit with framing or finished surfaces close to the joint, the near-miss you describe makes avoiding torch work an especially appealing reason to consider PEX. I’d still put that convenience behind checking what’s approved for the application and whether the needed fittings are compatible, as the later code reminder points out.

If the bathroom were near a sleeping area, would quieter plumbing change your material choice, or would cost and installation ease still matter more?

Near a bedroom, quiet operation would carry more weight for me, though I wouldn’t choose on that alone. Among options approved for the application with compatible fittings, I’d balance noise against the upfront cost and how manageable the installation is.

If the basement layout were cramped, I’d give easier routing more weight than quiet operation: avoiding awkward turns could make the job feel much more manageable. Near a bedroom, though, I can see why your noise priority would win. Either way, I’d compare only options approved for that application with compatible fittings.

When you were weighing the options, how much did PEX’s easier installation offset PVC’s apparent cost advantage for you? Was one factor decisive, or did they balance out alongside the other benefits you mentioned?

For someone comfortable with both methods, PVC’s apparent lower price could tip the balance. But if PEX makes the job feel substantially more manageable, I’d consider that ease worth paying more for; avoiding a daunting task can matter more than the material-price gap. Which factor matters most depends on the person and project.