{
  "slug": "wood-vs-vinyl-fence-cost",
  "title": "Wood vs Vinyl Fence Cost Calculator",
  "heading": "Wood vs Vinyl Fence Cost Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/wood-vs-vinyl-fence-cost",
  "summary": "Compare install cost plus staining and repair cycles for wood versus vinyl fencing.",
  "description": "Wood fencing costs less to install but needs periodic staining/sealing and board replacement as it weathers. Vinyl costs more upfront but needs essentially no maintenance and resists rot, insects, and fading for decades. This tool compares total lifetime cost per linear foot including wood's maintenance cycle and both materials' replacement lifespan.",
  "formula": "Wood Total = Install Cost + (Staining Cost × Cycles) + (Board Repair Estimate). Vinyl Total = Install Cost (minimal ongoing cost) over matching horizon.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=wood-vs-vinyl-fence-cost",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "linearFt",
      "label": "Fence length",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 200,
      "unit": "ft",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "woodPerFt",
      "label": "Wood fence install cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 28,
      "unit": "$/ft",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "stainCostPerFt",
      "label": "Staining cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 3,
      "unit": "$/ft",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "stainCycle",
      "label": "Years between staining",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 3,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": 10
    },
    {
      "id": "woodLife",
      "label": "Wood fence lifespan",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 18,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 5,
      "max": 30
    },
    {
      "id": "vinylPerFt",
      "label": "Vinyl fence install cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 42,
      "unit": "$/ft",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "vinylLife",
      "label": "Vinyl fence lifespan",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 30,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 5,
      "max": 50
    },
    {
      "id": "horizon",
      "label": "Comparison horizon",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 30,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 5,
      "max": 60
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "winner",
      "label": "Lower total cost option",
      "format": "raw",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "woodTotal",
      "label": "Wood fence total cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "vinylTotal",
      "label": "Vinyl fence total cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "diff",
      "label": "Difference",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Fence length: 200 ft",
      "Wood fence install cost: 28 $/ft",
      "Staining cost: 3 $/ft",
      "Years between staining: 3",
      "Wood fence lifespan: 18 yrs",
      "Vinyl fence install cost: 42 $/ft",
      "Vinyl fence lifespan: 30 yrs",
      "Comparison horizon: 30 yrs"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Lower total cost option: Vinyl",
      "Wood fence total cost: $17,200",
      "Vinyl fence total cost: $8,400",
      "Difference: $8,800"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter fence length (ft).",
      "Enter wood fence install cost ($/ft).",
      "Enter staining cost ($/ft).",
      "Enter years between staining.",
      "Enter wood fence lifespan (yrs).",
      "Enter vinyl fence install cost ($/ft).",
      "Enter vinyl fence lifespan (yrs).",
      "Enter comparison horizon (yrs).",
      "Read your lower total cost option on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "linearFt": 120,
        "woodPerFt": 17,
        "stainCostPerFt": 1.7999999999999998,
        "stainCycle": 2,
        "woodLife": 11,
        "vinylPerFt": 25,
        "vinylLife": 18,
        "horizon": 18
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "linearFt": 200,
        "woodPerFt": 28,
        "stainCostPerFt": 3,
        "stainCycle": 3,
        "woodLife": 18,
        "vinylPerFt": 42,
        "vinylLife": 30,
        "horizon": 30
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "linearFt": 320,
        "woodPerFt": 45,
        "stainCostPerFt": 4.800000000000001,
        "stainCycle": 5,
        "woodLife": 29,
        "vinylPerFt": 67,
        "vinylLife": 48,
        "horizon": 48
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Does wood ever win this comparison?",
      "a": "Yes, on short ownership horizons (under 8-10 years) or in dry climates with slow weathering, wood's lower upfront cost often beats vinyl before maintenance cycles catch up."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is vinyl fencing more brittle in cold weather?",
      "a": "Cheap vinyl can become brittle and crack in very cold climates; higher-grade vinyl with UV and cold-weather additives holds up much better and is worth the upcharge in northern regions."
    },
    {
      "q": "Which adds more resale value?",
      "a": "Both are viewed positively; well-maintained wood with a natural look sometimes edges out vinyl aesthetically for buyers, while vinyl is valued for being maintenance-free."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/fence-installation-cost-calculator",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/fence-calculator"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Wood vs Vinyl Fence Cost Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/wood-vs-vinyl-fence-cost)"
}