Wood or Vinyl Window Comparison Guide: Pros, Cons and Costs

Whether you’re shopping for windows as replacements or for new construction, you’re dealing with an installation that is meant to last decades. Therefore, it’s a challenge to decide between the two most durable and reliable materials: wood and vinyl. Below, we outline the pros and cons of these materials important categories like cost, energy efficiency and length of life.

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Are Vinyl Windows Any Good?

Vinyl windows are a common and suitable option for replacement windows because they won’t warp or rot. They are made from polyvinyl chloride—a very durable material—and other components that prevent ultraviolet light from deteriorating the frame. They typically have hollow cores, but you can buy frames with a foam filling for extra insulation.

Wood Window Frames

Wood windows are popular and dependable. They are known for both durability and beauty. Most of them are made from Pine or Douglas Fir. Window manufacturers offer options in a greater variety, from Cedar to Oak and Alder. Higher-end species like Mahogany is significantly more expensive than common options like Pine.

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Are Wood Windows Better than Vinyl?

The following comparisons are useful for determining the right material for your home, budget and needs. See how each stacks up in these most critical categories.

What’s the Best Window?

Wood is best for…	Vinyl is best for…
Longevity	Low Cost Materials
Visual Appeal	Low Cost Installation
Colors and Painting	DIYers
Historic Homes	Low Maintenance
	ROI

Cost of Wood vs. Vinyl

Due to supply, demand and ease of manufacturing, these two materials have very different upfront costs.

Energy Efficiency & Insulation

Energy efficiency is top of mind for homeowners and buyers alike, and windows have a significant amount of influence on how efficient a home is. Which material performs best as an insulator and energy saver?

Installation

You may not expect installation costs to differ from one material to another, but there are factors that make the process more or less difficult and involved for each.

Best Replacement Windows

Window replacement costs an average of $300 to $700 per window among all types available. If you want a quick and simple replacement, you’ll need a window type that you can pop in without complication. See which of these two options is more of an “instant” install.

DIY Window Replacement or Installation

Window installation is a complicated project. If you’re going to give it a try, you might want to make it easy on yourself by choosing the easier material to install.

Appearance & Design Options

The way your new windows look can change the way your entire home looks. Some homes would benefit from more customizable options.

Colors & Painting

If you think your style is going to change and you’re going to repaint these new windows at any time, the material you choose will determine whether or not that is even possible.

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Maintenance & Care

Are you the kind of person who enjoys tending to details, like painting and staining? Or would you more of the “set it and forget it” type? If you’d rather set it and forget it, there’s a definite winner here.

Wood	Vinyl
Demand more maintenance. Need to be repainted/stained every 3-4 years. More prone to damage from weather and exposure to elements. More likely to incur pest damage.	Doesn’t need much maintenance. No repainting or staining, just wash once a year. No resealing. Won’t rust, warp or rot. Weather-resistant.

Repairs

The typical cost of window repairs ranges within $150 and $500. This includes fixing broken panes. The cost of repairing the frame itself ranges from $200 to $600. If you want to save money on such repairs, read on for the facts about these two materials.

Durability & Length of Life

Durability is a hotly debated topic, when it comes to these products. Wood will last longer, which makes it more durable in that sense. But vinyl will not respond to environmental conditions as readily and is more durable throughout its shorter lifetime.

ROI

If you’re looking to sell your home within the next 5 to 10 years, you’re likely interested in the potential return on investment for each option.

Wood – According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, these products have an ROI of 69.5 percent nationally.

Vinyl – According to the Cost vs. Value Report, these products have a 74.3 percent ROI nationally.

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Vinyl Clad Wood Window – Vinyl Exterior & Wooden Interior

If you’re scanning through the pros and cons thinking that you’d like the low-maintenance and weather-resistant exterior that vinyl offers with the longevity of wood, you should consider vinyl clad wood windows. These products have wood frames wrapped with vinyl. They won’t be as maintenance-free as vinyl, but they will be nowhere near as high-maintenance as wood. The interior-facing portion of the frame is wood, so you can paint it and enjoy the elegance of the material indoors.

• No painting or sealing.
• Lower maintenance costs.
• Many colors and styles available.
• Great insulators.
• Classic look of wood on interior.

Material Comparison

See how these two materials stack up against other popular window options.

Wood & Vinyl vs. Fiberglass Windows

Compared to the two materials explored in this guide, fiberglass has some definite pros and cons:

• Material costs: $600-$900 per window.
• Thinner frames than both.
• Lifespan of up to 50 years.
• No warping but will fade.
• Difficult to install.
• Extremely durable.

Versus Aluminum Windows

Aluminum is another popular window material and you may want to consider its advantages and disadvantages:

• Material costs: $150-$400 per window.
• Thinner frames than both.
• No warping but may rust.
• Not good insulators.
• Eco-friendly and can be recycled.
• Extremely durable.

Fibrex or Composite vs Vinyl & Wood

Composite window frames are made from a mixture of two or more materials like wood, plastic, metal and vinyl. Fibrex is a brand of composite material from Andersen Windows that is made from 40 percent wood fiber and 60 percent thermoplastic polymer.

• Material costs: $200-$1,800 per window ($200 being the Andersen 100 Series Fibrex normal double hung window and $1,800 being the fully customizable Renewal by Andersen line of Fibrex).
• Great insulator and energy saver.
• Extremely durable.
• No warping, rot, corrosion or peeling.
• Low-maintenance.
• Eco-friendly and uses sustainable materials.

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Pella, Andersen & Other Top Replacement Window Brands

Brand	About	Per-Window Cost
Pella	Wood, clad, vinyl and aluminum. Low-E and argon-filled glass. Pella stores, home improvement stores and Lowe’s. Built well and visually appealing.	$100-$3,000
Andersen	Wood, clad, vinyl and composite. Low-E and argon-filled glass. Dealers, home improvement stores and Home Depot. High quality materials used. Excellent warranties. Easy installation.	$200-$4,000
Marvin	Wood, clad and composite. Low-E and argon-filled glass. Dealers and home improvement stores.	$250-$750
Jeld Wen	Wood, clad, vinyl and aluminum. Low-E and argon-filled glass. Dealers and home improvement stores.	$150-$900
Simonton	Vinyl. Low-E and argon-filled glass. Dealers and Home Depot.	$300-$900

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