A method of forming a fin liner and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming silicon (Si) fins over negative channel field-effect transistor (nFET) and positive channel field-effect transistor (pFET) regions of a substrate, each of the Si fins having a silicon nitride (SiN) cap; forming a SiN liner over the Si fins and SiN caps; forming a block mask over the pFET region; removing the SiN liner in the nFET region; removing the block mask in the pFET region; forming a diffusion barrier liner over the Si fins; forming a dielectric layer over and between the Si fins; planarizing the dielectric layer down to the SiN caps in the nFET region; and recessing the dielectric layer to expose an upper portion of the Si fins.