Vinyl vs Wood Windows

If you're shopping for replacement windows, you've probably narrowed your choices down to the two most popular frame materials: vinyl and wood. Here's the short answer: vinyl windows cost $150–$550 per window installed, while wood windows cost $240–$880 per window installed. Vinyl is cheaper upfront and virtually maintenance-free. Wood lasts longer and looks better. But when you compare cost per year, the gap between them is smaller than most people expect.

This guide breaks down every cost involved -- materials, labor, maintenance, energy efficiency, and lifespan -- so you can make the right decision for your home and budget.

Upfront Cost Comparison

The biggest difference between vinyl and wood is the price tag on installation day. Vinyl windows typically cost 40–60% less than wood, making them the most popular choice for budget-conscious homeowners.

Frame Material	Cost Per Window (Installed)	12-Window Project
Vinyl	$150 - $550	$1,800 - $6,600
Wood	$240 - $880	$2,880 - $10,560

For a typical home with 12 double-hung windows, you're looking at roughly $4,200 for vinyl vs. $6,700 for wood at midpoint pricing. That's a $2,500 difference -- significant, but not as dramatic as the high-end ranges suggest.

What Drives the Price Difference

Wood windows cost more for several reasons:

• Raw materials: Wood is a natural material that requires milling, kiln-drying, and precision cutting. Vinyl is extruded from PVC pellets in a factory, which is faster and cheaper.
• Manufacturing: Wood windows often involve more hand finishing, especially for custom sizes and profiles. Vinyl windows are mass-produced in standardized molds.
• Installation labor: Wood frames are heavier and require more care during installation. They also need proper sealing and finishing on-site.
• Finishing: Wood windows need to be primed and painted or stained, either at the factory or after installation. Vinyl comes finished.

Factors That Push Prices Higher

• Custom sizes or shapes: Non-standard dimensions add 20–40% to both materials
• Full-frame replacement: Add $100–$200 per window vs. retrofit (insert) installation
• Glass upgrades: Triple-pane Low-E with argon adds $120–$180 per window
• Regional pricing: Northeast and West Coast run 15–30% higher than national averages
• Multi-story homes: Second and third floor windows cost more due to scaffolding and access

Maintenance Costs Over Time

This is where vinyl's total cost advantage becomes even more dramatic. Vinyl windows are essentially maintenance-free for their entire lifespan. Wood windows require regular attention to protect against the elements.

Vinyl Maintenance

Vinyl windows require almost nothing beyond occasional cleaning. The frames won't rot, peel, warp, or need painting. The only maintenance is cleaning the tracks, lubricating hardware, and replacing weatherstripping as it ages.

Maintenance Item	Frequency	Cost
Cleaning & lubrication	Annually	$0 (DIY)
Weatherstripping	Every 10-15 years	$5 - $15 per window
Total over 25 years		$60 - $180 (12 windows)

Wood Maintenance

Wood windows need regular painting or staining to prevent moisture damage, rot, and insect infestation. Neglecting this maintenance doesn't just look bad -- it shortens the window's lifespan dramatically.

Maintenance Item	Frequency	Cost Per Window
Paint or stain	Every 3-5 years	$100 - $200
Caulking & sealing	Every 5-7 years	$10 - $25
Rot repair (if needed)	As needed	$100 - $400
Total over 35 years		$800 - $2,000 per window

For a 12-window home, expect to spend $9,600–$24,000 on wood window maintenance over 35 years. That's a significant ongoing cost that many homeowners don't factor into their initial decision. If you hire painters, each round of painting all 12 windows runs $1,200–$2,400.

Lifespan and Durability

Wood's biggest advantage over vinyl is longevity. A well-maintained wood window will outlast vinyl by a decade or more. However, the key phrase is "well-maintained" -- neglected wood windows can fail faster than vinyl.

Factor	Vinyl	Wood
Expected lifespan	20 - 25 years	30 - 40 years
With proper maintenance	25 - 30 years	35 - 40+ years
Moisture resistance	Excellent (impervious)	Poor (needs protection)
Insect resistance	Excellent	Poor (termites, carpenter ants)
UV resistance	Good (modern formulas)	Good (with finish coat)
Color retention	May fade slightly over time	Refinishable to any color

Vinyl's main durability concern is that it can't be refinished. If the color fades or the frame gets damaged, replacement is the only option. It can also warp slightly in extreme heat, though modern vinyl formulations with titanium dioxide are much more resistant to this than older products.

Wood's main durability concern is moisture. Water that penetrates the paint or stain will cause the wood to swell, crack, and eventually rot. In humid climates or homes with poor overhang protection, wood windows require more frequent maintenance to reach their full lifespan.

Energy Efficiency Comparison

Both vinyl and wood are good insulators, and both outperform aluminum significantly. The frame material itself accounts for only part of the window's overall energy performance -- the glass package matters more.

Metric	Vinyl	Wood
Frame U-factor	0.30 - 0.40	0.25 - 0.35
Frame R-value	R-2.5 - R-3.3	R-2.9 - R-4.0
Thermal expansion	Higher	Lower
Air infiltration	Low	Low (when maintained)

Wood has a slight edge in raw insulating value, but the difference is small. A vinyl window with double-pane Low-E glass will perform nearly identically to a wood window with the same glass. The glass package -- not the frame -- determines about 80% of a window's energy performance.

That said, if you live in an extremely cold climate (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine), wood's slightly better insulation and lower thermal expansion can make a noticeable difference over many windows. For most climates, the energy difference between vinyl and wood is negligible.

For a deeper dive into energy savings numbers, see our guide: Do New Windows Really Save on Energy Bills? We Did the Math.

Cost Per Year: The True Comparison

This is the number that reveals the real value of each material. When you factor in installation, maintenance, and lifespan, the annual cost tells a different story than the upfront price alone.

Let's run the math for 12 double-hung windows using midpoint pricing:

Vinyl: Total Cost of Ownership

• Installation (12 windows): $4,200 (at $350/window)
• Maintenance over 25 years: $120
• Total over 25 years: $4,320
• Cost per year: $173

Wood: Total Cost of Ownership

• Installation (12 windows): $6,720 (at $560/window)
• Painting/staining (7 rounds over 35 years): $10,080
• Caulking and minor repairs: $1,200
• Total over 35 years: $18,000
• Cost per year: $514

Frame	Total Cost (12 windows)	Lifespan	Cost Per Year
Vinyl	$4,320	25 years	$173/yr
Wood	$18,000	35 years	$514/yr

On a cost-per-year basis, vinyl is about 66% cheaper than wood when you include maintenance. Even if you do the painting yourself (cutting the painting cost in half), wood still comes in at roughly $371/year -- more than double vinyl's annual cost.

This is the key insight most homeowners miss. Wood's longer lifespan doesn't offset its significantly higher maintenance costs. Vinyl wins the pure value comparison decisively.

Want to see the cost breakdown for all five frame materials side by side? Try our free calculator to compare vinyl, wood, fiberglass, aluminum, and composite for your specific situation.

Curb Appeal and Home Value

This is wood's strongest advantage, and it's the main reason many homeowners still choose wood despite the higher cost.

Wood windows look better. There's no getting around it. Wood has a warmth, depth, and character that vinyl can't fully replicate. The grain texture, the ability to choose any paint color, and the option for custom profiles make wood the clear winner for aesthetics.

When wood makes the aesthetic difference:

• Historic homes: If your home is in a historic district, vinyl may not be permitted or may look out of place. Wood windows preserve the original character and can match period profiles exactly.
• High-end homes: In the luxury market ($500K+), wood windows are expected. Vinyl in a high-end home can actually hurt resale value.
• Visible from the street: Front-facing windows have the biggest curb appeal impact. Some homeowners use wood on street-facing windows and vinyl on the sides and back.

When vinyl is perfectly fine:

• Most suburban homes: Modern vinyl windows look clean and professional. Most buyers won't notice or care about the frame material.
• Starter homes and rentals: The value proposition of vinyl makes it the clear choice where ROI matters most.
• Rear and side windows: Windows not visible from the street have minimal curb appeal impact.

In terms of resale value, window replacement typically recoups 60–75% of the investment at sale. The return is similar for both materials, as long as the windows are in good condition and appropriate for the home's price point.

When to Choose Each

Here's a straightforward decision framework:

Choose vinyl if:

• Budget is a primary concern -- vinyl costs 40–60% less upfront
• You want zero maintenance -- no painting, staining, or sealing ever
• You're replacing windows in a mid-range suburban home
• You plan to sell within 10–15 years (lower investment to recoup)
• You want the lowest total cost of ownership over the window's lifetime
• You live in a humid or coastal climate where moisture damage is a concern

Choose wood if:

• Curb appeal is a top priority -- wood simply looks better
• You have a historic home where vinyl would look out of place
• Your home is in the luxury market where wood is expected
• You want the ability to change colors later by repainting
• You're willing to invest in regular maintenance for the best aesthetics
• You plan to stay in the home for 20+ years and want the longest lifespan

Consider a wood-clad option if:

• You want the beauty of wood on the interior with a low-maintenance exterior
• Your budget allows it -- wood-clad windows split the difference in price
• You want the best of both worlds: aesthetics inside, durability outside

Also worth considering: fiberglass is emerging as a strong alternative to both. It costs less than wood, lasts longer than vinyl (40+ years), requires minimal maintenance, and can be painted. See how all five materials compare using our free calculator.