When comparing wood vs. vinyl windows, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of each material to find the best fit for your home. Both wood and vinyl have strong points. Wood windows possess a classic charm that vinyl can only hope to impart. Yet for most homeowners, vinyl's low cost is a charm that beats wood's aesthetic allure. Which type of window works best for your home?
Wood vs. Vinyl Windows: Key Differences
- Maintenance and durability: Vinyl lasts longer than wood, potentially 40 years vs. 20 years for wood. Also, you don't need to do anything to maintain vinyl; wood needs resealing every few years.
- Price: Vinyl is cheaper than wood, with vinyl windows costing $150 to $400 per window vs. wood running from $300 to $800 per window. The types of windows—from casement to double-hung—and all the varying sizes account for the extreme range in cost.
- Energy efficiency: Wood is naturally more insulating than vinyl, beating out vinyl in energy savings; however, if you get insulated vinyl windows instead of hollow-core vinyl windows, it's an energy-efficient choice.
Material and Construction
Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows are mainly made of high-quality extruded polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some metal and other types of plastics are used for the sash mechanism.
Wood Windows
Wood windows are usually wood on the inside (typically pine or Douglas fir). Exteriors are wood covered with extruded aluminum, PVC, or fiberglass.
Durability
Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows last an average of 30 to 40 years, much longer than wood windows, simply because they are less affected by weathering than wood. However, quality matters. Getting cheap vinyl windows that might not last longer than 10 years is not worth it.
Another factor to consider is the window's exposure to sun and rain. Windows in direct sun for most of the day and with minimal roof overhang protection will have a shorter life.
Wood Windows
Wood windows have an average lifespan of about 20 years, sometimes more or less, depending on how well they've been maintained and if the exteriors feature aluminum cladding. Unclad wood is more affected by heat, cold, and moisture and needs resealing to protect it from the elements and rotting.
Colors and Finishes
Vinyl Windows
Most vinyl windows are white. Rich, dark colors that do not fade have traditionally been hard for manufacturers to achieve. Most colors beyond white or tan are considered premium and will cost more.
Wood Windows
One chief value of wood windows is that the inside frames can remain a natural wood color if desired. Exteriors and interiors may be painted any color.
Maintenance
Vinyl Windows
Vinyl replacement windows never need painting or sealing. One downside is that if you want to paint your vinyl windows, it's more difficult than painting wood windows.
Wood Windows
Wood-exterior windows need painting or sealing during installation and throughout their lifetime. Painting wood windows is an exacting task and must be done frequently. Wood windows with aluminum cladding never need painting.
Energy Efficiency
Vinyl Windows
Vinyl is a poor conductor of heat and cold, which is good. However, vinyl window frames are often hollow. Cold air will pass through the hollow spaces. Be sure to look for insulated window frames.
Wood Windows
When it's cold outside, feel the frame of a wood window. You'll find that wood-framed windows are excellent at inhibiting the transmission of cold or heat from the outside. So wood is a great energy-saver.
Cost
Vinyl Windows
Vinyl replacement windows are about 20% cheaper than wood windows, according to Remodeling's Cost vs. Value Report.
Wood Windows
Wood windows are costlier. Whether it is the law of supply and demand, the price of beauty, or the fact that fewer companies make wood windows, wood windows tend to be more expensive than vinyl windows.
Appearance
Vinyl Windows
With the addition of newer colors besides white and tan, vinyl windows are considered more attractive than in the past.
Wood Windows
The point of wood windows is usually to keep the interior natural or stained, with sealer on top, thus keeping the wood grain visible. Vinyl simply cannot duplicate this. Or, if you wish to have the look of solid colors, you can paint wood.
Turnaround
Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows are plentiful from many manufacturers, so obtaining them on schedule is not difficult.
Wood Windows
Wood windows have dwindled to a significantly smaller market share than vinyl, so manufacturers and retailers do not prioritize them. Thus, it may be slower to obtain wood windows over vinyl.
Resale Value
Vinyl Windows
With vinyl windows, you'll see close to a 67% return on investment when it comes time to sell the home.
Wood Windows
Wood windows have a slightly lower resale value by just a couple of percentage points.
Which Should You Buy?
Vinyl windows are all about saving money and keeping maintenance duties at an absolute minimum. If you're trying to save money on your next window purchase, it's hard to beat vinyl windows.
Wood windows are all about style and providing long-term value and beauty to your home. If you have a historic home or a home that needs to maintain value for a long time, wood windows may be your best choice.
Vinyl Windows | Wood Windows | |
Materials | Plastic framed windows, except for metal used for the operating mechanism | Interior wood with exteriors covered with extruded aluminum, PVC, or fiberglass |
Colors and Finishes | Mostly white, though some other colors are available | Bare wood or primed wood that can be painted any color |
Maintenance | Easy to wipe down and maintain | Need regular painting on the outside unless covered with metal or plastic |
Energy Efficiency | Poor to fair, especially if the frames are not insulated | Excellent; wood insulates well and is a great energy-saver |
Cost | Close to 20% cheaper than wood windows | Nearly always more costly than vinyl windows |
Appearance | Fair appearance, though it helps to purchase windows that coordinate with the home or surroundings | Excellent; wood windows can be painted any color |
Turnaround | Excellent; vinyl windows are plentiful and are usually readily available | Might be slower to obtain than vinyl windows |
Resale Value | Excellent resale value | Slightly lower resale value than vinyl windows |