Vinyl vs Wood Siding
Independent research · Last reviewed August 2026 · Costs are 2026 planning estimates
The short answer
Choose vinyl for the lowest cost and zero maintenance — it never needs repainting. Choose wood for genuine warmth and character, if you'll refinish it every few years and pay more. It's the widest maintenance gap in siding.
How Vinyl and Wood / Cedar really differ
This is the classic convenience vs character decision. Vinyl is cheap, maintenance-free, and reads as vinyl. Wood is beautiful, authentic, and demanding — refinish every 3–5 years or it greys and rots. Most people who choose wood do it with eyes open about the upkeep; most who choose vinyl value never thinking about it again.
Side by side
| Vinyl | Wood / Cedar | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed / sq ft | $4–$12 | $5–$15 |
| Lifespan | 20–40 yrs | 20–40 yrs |
| Repainting | Never | ~4 yrs |
| Maintenance | Very low | High |
| Fire | Melts / burns | Melts / burns |
| Wood look | Fair | Excellent |
| DIY | Moderate | Moderate |
The decision, factor by factor
Cost
Vinyl runs about $4–$12/sq ft installed; wood $5–$15. Vinyl is cheaper upfront, and far cheaper over time — wood's refinishing every 3–5 years can add more than the original install across a 30-year life, while vinyl never needs repainting.
Looks & character
Wood is authentic and warm in a way vinyl can't match — the reason people accept its upkeep. Vinyl's embossed grain reads as vinyl, though premium and shake-look profiles narrow the gap. This is the whole trade-off: character vs convenience.
Maintenance
The defining difference. Wood needs refinishing every 3–5 years and greys, checks, or rots if neglected. Vinyl asks for almost nothing — an occasional rinse. If maintenance tolerance is low, vinyl is the honest answer.
Durability & fire
Both last roughly 20–40 years, but well-maintained wood can exceed that while neglected wood fails faster than vinyl. Neither is fire-resistant — both are combustible, so look elsewhere in wildfire zones.
Resale & fit
On a historic or craftsman home, real wood can lift value and suit the architecture; vinyl can read as a downgrade there. On a mainstream suburban home, quality vinyl is expected and fine. Match the material to the house and neighborhood.
Which should you choose?
Choose Vinyl if…
- Budget and zero maintenance are the priority
- You never want to refinish or repaint
- It's a rental, flip, or you're upkeep-averse
- A perfect natural-wood look isn't essential
Choose Wood / Cedar if…
- Authentic wood character matters most
- It's a historic or craftsman-style home
- You'll commit to refinishing every 3–5 years
- You're not in a wildfire-prone area
The cost difference
Vinyl runs about $4–$12/sq ft installed; wood about $5–$15 — and wood's recurring refinishing cost widens the gap over time. Price both for your home.
When neither is right
Want the wood look with vinyl-like upkeep? LP SmartSide or fiber cement are the middle ground. Run the selector to compare.
Keep going
Frequently asked questions
- Is vinyl or wood siding cheaper?
- Vinyl — cheaper upfront and much cheaper over time, since wood needs frequent refinishing.
- Does wood siding last longer than vinyl?
- Both last ~20–40 years — the real difference is maintenance, not lifespan.
Note: costs are independent 2026 planning estimates, not quotes. SidingWise is not a contractor or manufacturer.