"Thicker layers (around 20 mil) handle scratches and scuffs way better, especially with pets or kids running wild...worth the extra few bucks imo."
Good point about durability, but I'm curious—did you notice a significant price jump between the 12 mil and 20 mil options? Wondering if the longevity really offsets the upfront cost over time...
I looked into this recently for a renovation job, and honestly, the jump from 12 mil to 20 mil wasn't small—at least not for larger spaces. But like you said...
"especially with pets or kids running wild"
...peace of mind might just be priceless, haha.
Went through something similar recently, and yeah, the price jump definitely caught me off guard. A few things I noticed though:
- Initially thought "how much difference can a few mil really make?" Turns out, quite a bit. Especially when my dog decided the living room was his new playground... claws everywhere.
- Ended up biting the bullet and going thicker—haven't regretted it yet. It's one of those things you don't fully appreciate until you see it holding up against daily chaos.
- Still, completely get why you'd hesitate—budgets aren't endless, and every upgrade feels like a slippery slope.
Honestly, sounds like you're thinking it through carefully. Whatever you choose, at least you're going in eyes wide open. Good luck!
Yeah, totally agree thicker can be worth it, but have you looked into whether premium brands really justify their prices? Sometimes you're just paying extra for the name... curious if anyone noticed a real difference there.
I've tested premium vs generic brands on a few projects, and honestly, results were mixed:
- Premium paints: noticeably better coverage, fewer coats needed.
- Premium lumber: minimal difference unless you're doing precision joinery.
Sometimes the extra cost pays off, sometimes it's just marketing hype...
