Rex says
Money math without the spreadsheet headache. Plug in your numbers and I'll show you exactly where the dollars land.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Lower total cost option
Vinyl
Wood fence total cost
$17,200
Vinyl fence total cost
$8,400
Difference
$8,800
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How to use this
- 1Enter fence length (ft).
- 2Enter wood fence install cost ($/ft).
- 3Enter staining cost ($/ft).
- 4Enter years between staining.
- 5Enter wood fence lifespan (yrs).
- 6Enter vinyl fence install cost ($/ft).
- 7Enter vinyl fence lifespan (yrs).
- 8Enter comparison horizon (yrs).
- 9Read your lower total cost option on the right — it updates as you type.
- 10Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
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.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
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
Results
- Lower total cost option: Vinyl
- Wood fence total cost: $17,200
- Vinyl fence total cost: $8,400
- Difference: $8,800
What each field means
Inputs
- Fence length (ft)
- The fence length used in the calculation, measured in ft. Starts at 200 ft so you have a working example on load.
- Wood fence install cost ($/ft)
- The wood fence install cost used in the calculation, measured in $/ft. Starts at 28 $/ft so you have a working example on load.
- Staining cost ($/ft)
- The staining cost used in the calculation, measured in $/ft. Starts at 3 $/ft so you have a working example on load.
- Years between staining
- The years between staining used in the calculation. Starts at 3 so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 1–10.
- Wood fence lifespan (yrs)
- The wood fence lifespan used in the calculation, measured in yrs. Starts at 18 yrs so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 5–30 yrs.
- Vinyl fence install cost ($/ft)
- The vinyl fence install cost used in the calculation, measured in $/ft. Starts at 42 $/ft so you have a working example on load.
- Vinyl fence lifespan (yrs)
- The vinyl fence lifespan used in the calculation, measured in yrs. Starts at 30 yrs so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 5–50 yrs.
- Comparison horizon (yrs)
- The comparison horizon used in the calculation, measured in yrs. Starts at 30 yrs so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 5–60 yrs.
Results
- Lower total cost option
- Returned as a plain value and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Wood fence total cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Vinyl fence total cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Difference
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Does wood ever win this comparison?
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.
Is vinyl fencing more brittle in cold weather?
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.
Which adds more resale value?
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.
Accuracy and 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.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Wood vs Vinyl Fence Cost Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/wood-vs-vinyl-fence-cost
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/wood-vs-vinyl-fence-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wood vs Vinyl Fence Cost Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Wood vs Vinyl Fence Cost Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/wood-vs-vinyl-fence-cost) (2026).