Life Expectancy of Common House Components
For many items, regular maintenance can make a drastic difference in life expectancy. A neglected ceramic tile shower stall can develop leaks after only a couple of years but with a few dollars spent annually replacing the silicone and sealing the grout you can extend the life to 25 years and beyond. The figures listed here are generalizations only. Life expectancy is a factor of initial quality and proper maintenance, operating environment and many other factors. Wise homeowners build a factor into their household budget for the replacement of major components to avoid financial surprises.
Being proactive in the replacement of items like water heaters is advisable. If you have a "catastrophic failure" of a water heater (which is not uncommon) not only will you suddenly have 40-50 gallons of hot water flooding onto your floor but the supply line will continue to feed 6-10 gallons per minute onto your basement floor.
You will likely negotiate a better price on replacing your furnace in the spring or summer rather than once the weather gets cold and demand rises.
Replacing your roof before it leaks will save damage to your house and allow you to research and shop around for the best value when choosing a roofer.
. Source: Appliance Statistical Review, April 1990 Sources: Neil Kelly Designers, Thompson House of Kitchens and Bath Sources: Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, Neil Kelly Designers Sources: AFPAssociates of Western Plastics, Ceramic Tile Institute of America Sources: Wayne Dalton Corporation, National Wood Window and Door Association, Raynor Garage Doors Source: Jesse Aronstein, Engineering Consultant Sources: Carpet and Rug Institute, Congoleum Corporation, Hardwood Plywood Manufacturers Association, Marble Institute, National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association, National Wood Flooring Association, Resilient Floor Covering Institute Source: WR Grace and Company Sources: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration News, Air Movement and Control Association, American Gas Association, American Society of Gas Engineers, American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., Safe Aire Incorporated Call Lou & Irene To Schedule Your Inspection Today
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Life Expectancy of Household Components
Appliances
Life in years
Compactors
10
Dishwashers
10
Dryers
14
Disposal
10
Freezers, compact
12
Freezers, standard
16
Microwave ovens
11
Electric ranges
17
Gas ranges
19
Gas ovens
14
Refrigerators, compact
14
Refrigerators, standard
17
Washers, automatic and compact
13
Exhaust fans
20
Bathrooms
Life in years
Cast iron bathtubs
50
Fiberglass bathtub and showers
10-15
Shower doors, average quality
25
Toilets
50
Cabinetry
Life in years
Kitchen cabinets
15-20
Medicine cabinets and bath vanities
20
Closet systems
Life in years
Closet shelves
Lifetime
Countertops
Life in years
Laminate
10-15
Ceramic tile, high-grade installation
Lifetime
Wood/butcher block
20+
Granite
20+
Doors
Life in years
Screen
25-50
Interior, hollow core
Less than 30
Interior, solid core
30-lifetime
Exterior, protected overhang
80-100
Exterior, unprotected and exposed
25-30
Folding
30-lifetime
Garage doors
20-50
Garage door opener
10
Electrical
Life in years
Copper wiring, copper plated, copper clad aluminum, and bare copper
100+
Armored cable (BX)
Lifetime
Conduit
Lifetime
Finishes used for waterproofing
Life in years
Paint, plaster, and stucco
3-5
Sealer, silicone, and waxes
1-5
Source: Brick Institute of America Floors
Floors
Life in years
Oak or pine
Lifetime
Slate flagstone
Lifetime
Vinyl sheet or tile
20-30
Terrazzo
Lifetime
Carpeting (depends on installation, amount of traffic, and quality of carpet)
11
Marble (depends on installation, thickness of marble, and amount of traffic)
Lifetime+
Footings and foundation
Life in years
Poured footings and foundations
200
Concrete block
100
Cement
50
Waterproofing, bituminous coating
10
Termite proofing (may have shorter life in damp climates)
5
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
Life in years
Central air conditioning unit (newer units should last longer)
15
Window unit
10
Air conditioner compressor
15
Humidifier
8
Electric water heater
14
Gas water heater (depends on type of water heater lining and quality of water)
11-13
Forced air furnaces, heat pump
15
Rooftop air conditioners
15
Boilers, hot water or steam (depends on quality of water)
30
Furnaces, gas- or oil-fired
18
Unit heaters, gas or electric
13
Radiant heaters, electric
10
Radiant heaters, hot water or steam
25
Baseboard systems
20
Diffusers, grilles, and registers
27
Induction and fan coil units
20
Dampers
20
Centrifugal fans
25
Axial fans
20
Ventilating roof-mounted fans
20
DX, water, and steam coils
20
Electric coils
15
Heat Exchangers, shell-and-tube
24
Molded insulation
20
Pumps, sump and well
10
Burners
21
Home security appliances
Life in years
Intrusion systems
14
Smoke detectors
12
Smoke/fire/intrusion systems
10
Insulation
Life in years
For foundations, roofs, ceilings, walls, and floors
Lifetime
Sources: Insulation Contractors Association of America, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Landscaping
Life in years
Wooden decks
15
Brick and concrete patios
24
Tennis courts
10
Concrete walks
24
Gravel walks
4
Asphalt driveways
10
Swimming pools
18
Sprinkler systems
12
Fences
12
Sources: Associated Landscape Contractors of America, Irrigation Association
Masonry
Life in years
Chimney, fireplace, and brick veneer
Lifetime
Brick and stone walls
100+
Stucco
Lifetime
Sources: Brick Institute of America, Architectural Components, National Association of Brick Distributors, National Stone Association
Millwork
Life in years
Stairs, trim
50-100
Disappearing stairs
30-40
Paints and stains
Life in years
Exterior paint on wood, brick, and aluminum
7-10
Interior wall paint (depends on the acrylic content)
5-10
Interior trim and door paint
5-10
Wallpaper
7
Sources: Finnaren and Haley, Glidden Company, The Wall Paper
Plumbing
Life in years
Waste piping, cast iron
75-100
Sinks, enamel steel
5-10
Sinks, enamel cast iron
25-30
Sinks, china
25-30
Faucets, low quality
13-15
Faucets, high quality
15-20
Sources: American Concrete Pipe Association, Cast Iron Soil and Pipe Institute, Neil Kelly Designers, Thompson House of Kitchens and Baths
Roofing
Life in years
Asphalt and wood shingles and shakes
15-30
Tile (depends on quality of tile and climate)
50
Slate (depends on grade)
50-100
Sheet metal (depends on gauge of metal and quality of fastening and application)
20-50+
Built-up roofing, asphalt
12-25
Built-up roofing, coal and tar
12-30
Asphalt composition shingle
15-30
Asphalt overlag
25-35
Source: National Roofing Contractors Association
Rough structure
Life in years
Basement floor systems
Lifetime
Framing, exterior and interior walls
Lifetime
Source: NAHB Research Foundation
Shutters
Life in years
Wood, interior
Lifetime
Wood, exterior (depends on weather conditions)
4-5
Vinyl plastic, exterior
7-8
Aluminum, interior
35-50
Aluminum, exterior
3-5
Sources: A.C. Shutters, Inc., Alcoa Building Products, American Heritage Shutters
Siding
Life in years
Gutters and downspouts
30
Siding, wood (depends on maintenance)
10-100
Siding, steel
50-Lifetime
Siding, aluminum
20-50
Siding, vinyl
50
Sources: Alcoa Building Products, Alside, Inc., Vinyl Siding Institute
Walls and window treatments
Life in years
Drywall and plaster
30-70
Ceramic tile, high grade installation
Lifetime
Sources: Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries International, Ceramic Tile Institute of America
Windows
Life in years
Window glazing
20
Wood casement
20-50
Aluminum and vinyl casement
20-30
Screen
25-50
Sources: Best Built Products, Optimum Window Manufacturing, Safety Glazing Certification Council, Screen Manufacturers Association
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