A well-built home can last for hundreds of years, but many of its parts must be replaced or renovated regularly. Here's a sampling of life expectancies for different products and materials used in the home, as listed in a report titled "National Association of Home Builders/ Bank of America Home Equity Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components" published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) based in Washington, D.C.
In the summer of 2006, NAHB conducted a comprehensive telephone survey of manufacturers, trade associations and researchers to develop information about the longevity of housing components. Many of the people interviewed emphasized that the life expectancy of housing components is greatly affected by the quality of maintenance. They also noted that changing consumer preferences can result in products being replaced long before -- or after -- the end of their practical life expectancy.
COMPONENT LIFE EXPECTANCY
1. APPLIANCES Life in Years
Exhaust Fan 10
Compactors 6
Dishwashers 9
Disposers, Food Waste 12
Dryers, Electric 13
Dryers, Gas 13
Freezers 11
Microwave Ovens 9
Ranges, Electric 13
Ranges, Gas 15
Range/Oven Hoods 14
Refrigerators, Compact 9
Refrigerators, Standard 13
Washers 10
Water Heaters, Electric 11
Water Heaters, Gas 10
Air-Conditioners, Room 10
Air-Conditioners, Unitary 15
Boilers, Electric 13
Boilers, Gas 21
Dehumidifiers 8
Furnaces, Warm-Air, Electric 15
Furnaces, Warm-Air, Gas 18
Furnaces, Warm-Air, Oil 20
Heat Pumps 16
Humidifiers 8
Note: Life expectancy is based on first-owner use.
2. CABINETRY & STORAGE Life in Years
Bath Cabinets Lifetime
Entertainment Centers/Home Office 10
Garage/Laundry Cabinets 100+
Kitchen Cabinets 50
Medicine Cabinets 20+
Manufacturing Types
Modular/Stock 50
Closet systems
Closet Shelves Lifetime
Source: Appliance Magazine, Sep 2005 issue, Grainger
Source: Wellborn Cabinet, Zaca, Timberlake Cabinet Co., Wellborn Cabinet, Moduline, Canyon Creek Cabinet Co.,
Easyclosets.com, Wellborn Cabinet
3. CONCRETE & MASONRY Life in Years
Brick 100+
Veneer Lifetime
Caulking (for sealer) 2-20
4. COUNTERTOPS Life in Years
Cultured Marble 20
Natural Stone Lifetime
Tile Lifetime
Wood Lifetime
5. DECKS Life in Years
Wood 20
Dry areas last 20-25,
South 10-15,
North 20-30.
Deck Planks 25
6. DOORS Life in Years
Exterior Doors
Fiberglass Lifetime
Screen 40 Pine 20 yrs, Cedar 40 yrs, Mahogany 60 yrs
Steel, Fire-Rated Lifetime
Vinyl 20
Wood Lifetime
Interior Doors
French 30 to 50
Closet Lifetime
Source: Fiberframe, Neoporte, Timeline Vinyl Products/Timeline Vinyl Windows, Victoriana East, Coppa
Woodworking Inc., Marvin Windows and Doors, Kestrel
Source: General Shale Brick, NHACP and NCSG, Sashco Sealants
Source: Rynone, Buffalo stone, Architectural Products by Outwater, Formica Corp, Gibco Services, Florida Tile
Industries, United States Ceramic Tile Co., National Hardwood Flooring & Moulding
Source: Decks.com, Timbertech
7. ELECTRICAL & LIGHTING Life in Years
Accessories 10+
Lighting Controls 10+
Copper Wiring
Copper Plated Lifetime If used in a non-corrosive environment.
Copper Clad Aluminum Lifetime
Bare Copper Lifetime
8. ENGINEERED LUMBER Life in Years
Engineered Trim 30
Laminated Strand Lumber Lifetime
Laminated Veneer Lumber 30+
Trusses, Floor Lifetime
Trusses, Roof Lifetime
9. FAUCETS & FIXTURES Life in Years
Accessible/ADA Products Lifetime
Faucets, Bar/Hospitality 15
Faucets , Kitchen Sinks 15
Faucets, Lavatory 20+
Faucets, Tub/Shower 20+
Faucets, Toilets/Bidets 10 Wear issues depending on use, new cartridges or seals.
Saunas/Steam Rooms 15-20
Shower Doors 20+
Shower Enclosures/Modules 50
Showerheads Lifetime
Toilets/Bidets Lifetime The components inside toilet tank and valves that operate bidet will require occasional maintenance.
Whirlpool Tubs 20-50 Lifespan of the rotating engine depends on the use made of the tub.
Sinks: Kitchen & others
Enamel Steel 5-10
Modified Acrylic 50
Soapstone 100+
Source: Lutron Electronics, Lighting Controls Association, Copper Development Assoc.
Source: Delta Faucet Co., Grohe, Kohler Co., Moen, Plexicor (part of Karran), Toto USA, Acquinox, Alumax, Alsons,
Karran, Green Mountain Soapstone Corp., Saunastore
Source: Engineered Wood Association, Georgia Pacific Corp., Georgia Pacific Corp., Lumber Specialties
10. FLOORING Life in Years
All Wooden Floors Lifetime
Bamboo Lifetime
Brick Pavers 100+
Carpet 8-10
Concrete 50+
Engineered Wood 50+
Exotic Wood Lifetime
Granite 100+
Laminate 15-25
Linoleum 25
Marble 100+
Slate 100
Tile 75-100
Vinyl 50
Other Domestic Wood Lifetime
Terrazo 75+
11. FOOTINGS & FOUNDATIONS
Poured Footings and Foundations Lifetime
Concrete Block Lifetime Properly built foundations last indefinitely.
Termite Proofing 12 "Pre-treatment during construction: longevity of treatment depends on disturbance or not of the chemical barriers in place."
Bituminous Coating Waterproofing 10 If it cracks, it is immediately damaged.
Pargeting with Ionite 20-30 It's not typical in a residential setting. Its downfall is when it cracks.
Baseboard System 50
Plumbing
Concrete Waste Pipe 100
Cast Iron Waste Pipe 100
12. FRAMING &OTHER STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Poured-Concrete Systems Lifetime
Structural Insulated Panels Lifetime
Timber Frame Homes Lifetime
Source: Dry Up Basement, Unexco, Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, American Concrete Pipe Association, National Ready
Mixed Concrete Assoc, Quikrete
Source: ConForm Pacific, NGS Materials, Post & Beam Factory
Source:Marble Institute of America, Berg & Berg, Dal-Tile Corp, Floortec, National Wood Flooring Association, General
Shale Brick, Masland Carpets, Beaulieu of America, Concrete Designs, Formica Corp, Linoleumstore.com, DePaoli
Mosaic, Monarch Ceramic Tile
13. GARAGES Life in Years
Garage Door Openers 10-15
Light Inserts 20
14. HOME TECHNOLOGY Life in Years
Audio, Built-in 20
Heat/Smoke Detectors <10 National Fire Alarm Code requires that detectors be replaced every 10 years.
Home Automation Systems Lifetime
Home Networks, Wireless 50+
Security Systems 5-10
15. HVAC Life in Years
Air Conditioners 10-15
Air Quality Systems 15
Boilers 13-21
Dehumidifiers 8
Ducting 10
Furnaces 15-20
Heat Pumps 16
Heat Recovery Ventilators 20+
Thermostats 35
Ventilators 7
Water Heaters, Tankless 20+
Electric Radiant Heater 40
Hot Water or Steam Radiant Heater 15+
Diffusers, Grilles, and Registers 25
Induction and Fan-Coil Units 10-15
Dampers 20+
DX, Water, or Steam 20
Electric 15
Shell-and-Tube 20
Molded Insulation Lifetime Not usually used residentially.
Burners <10 Oil burners need more maintenance and don't last as long as gas burners.
Source: LiteTouchHome Director, ADT and Slomin's Home Security, Home Director, Home Seer
Source: CenterPoint Energy and Trane Residential system Group, Smarter Way Inc., CenterPoint Energy, Air Quality
Engineering, CenterPoint Energy and Luxaire Unitary Products Group, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers,
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Econar, Lomanco, Honeywell, American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, EWC Controls, Fantech, No. American Insulation
Manufacturers Assoc.US Dept. of Energy, Radiant Electric Heat, Radiantec, Radiantec, American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Power Flame Inc., Appliance Magazine
Source: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
16. INSULATION & INFILTRATION BARRIERS
Insulation MaterialCellulose 100+
Fiberglass Lifetime
Foam Lifetime
Insulation Type
Batts/Rolls Lifetime
House Wrap Lifetime
Loose Fill Lifetime
17. JOBSITE EQUIPMENT
Ladders Lifetime
Lifts 8-10
18. MOLDING & MILLWORK
Custom Millwork Lifetime
Stair Parts Lifetime
Stairs, Circular & Spiral Lifetime
Stairs, Prebuilt Lifetime
Stairs, Attic Lifetime
19. PAINTS, CAULKS, & ADHESIVES
Adhesives varies
Roofing 7
Paints & Stains
Paint, Exterior 15+
Paint, Interior 15+ Depends on whether or not it is washable paint.
Source: York Spiral StairAzek, Authentic Pine Floors, Century Architectural Specialties, StairWorld, National
Hardwood Flooring & Moulding
Source: The Sherwin-Williams Co.,Slate Savers, Tamko Roofing Products, Dutch Boy Paints
Source: DuPont, National Fiber, Johns Manville, RHH Foam Systems, No. American Insulation Manufacturer
Association
Source: Putnam Rolling Ladder Co., Genie Industries
20. PANELS Life in Years
Hardboard 30 ( not in the Pacific Northwest - unless vigorously maintained the life is 10-15)
Oriented-Strand Board 25-30
Particleboard 60
Plywood 60
Softwood 30
Underlayment, Flooring 25
Wall Panels Lifetime
21. ROOFING Life in Years
Aluminium Roof Coating 3-7
Fiber Cement 25
Asphalt 20
Modified Bitumen 20
Copper Lifetime
Simulated Slate 50
Wood 30
Clay/Concrete Lifetime
Slate 50+
Coal and Tar 30
Source: Gardner-Gibson, Maxitile, National Roofing Contractors Association, GAF Material Corp., Asphalt Roofing
Manufacturer's Association, Johns Manville, Metal Roof Specialties, Nycore, Authentic roof, 208 Shake&Shingle, The
Northern Roof Tile Sales Co., Universal Marble & Granite, Slate Savers, Koppers, Northern Elastomeric, EcoStar,
Metals USA, GAF Material Corp.
Source: Georgia Pacific Corp., NGS Materials, Weyerhaeuser, James Hardie Building Products
22. SIDING & ACCESSORIES Life in Years
Brick Lifetime
Hardboard Siding 30 ( not in the Pacific Northwest - unless vigorously maintained the life is 10-15)
Engineered Wood Lifetime
Fiber Cement Lifetime
Manufactured Stone Lifetime
Stone Lifetime
Stucco 50-100
Vinyl Lifetime
Related Accessories
Soffits/Fascias 50 This time period applies for fascia in fiber-cement only.
Trim 25
Shutters
Wood/Exterior 20
Wood/Interior 15+
Aluminium/Interior 10+ Sun can cause the strings to break.
Gutters and Downspouts
Copper 50+
Aluminium 20
Galvanized Steel 20
Downspouts (Aluminum) 30
Downspouts (Copper) 100
23. SITE & LANDSCAPING Life in Years
Asphalt Driveway 15-20
Polyvinyl Fences Lifetime
Clay Paving Lifetime
Underground PVC Piping 25
Valves 20
Sprinklers 20 Usually made obsolete by advances in technology.
Controllers 15 Lifespan given for areas not prone to lighting strikes.
Fast-Dry Green Lifetime
Source: Boral Bricks, APA, GAF Material Corp., James Hardie Building Products, Boulder Creek Stone and Brick,
Owens Corning, Genstone Enterprises, El Rey Stucco, Heartland Building Products, Azek, James Hardie Building
Products, Blinds.com, Vixen Hill Mfg. Co., Yost Mfg. & Supply, Berger Building Products, Guttersupply.com, (RainTrade Corp. division)
Asphalt with Acrylic Coating 12-15 Age before requiring major work. Requires recoating every 5-7 years.
Asphalt with Acrylic Cushion 12-15 Age before requiring major work. Requires recoating every
Coating 5-7 years.
American Red Clay Lifetime
Fast-Dry with Subsurface Lifetime Maintenance: average 10 minutes a day per court. Irrigation Red or Green
Swimming pool
General Lifetime
Concrete Shell 25+
Interior Finish/Plaster 10-15
Interior Finish/Pebble-tec 25-35
Interior Finish/Tile 15-25
Cleaning Equipment 7-10
Decking 15
Waterline Tile 10
24. WALLS, CEILINGS, & FINISHES Life in Years
Acoustical Ceiling Lifetime Moisture or movement can affect lifespan.
Ceiling Suspension Lifetime
Ceramic Tile Lifetime
Standard Gypsum Lifetime
25. WINDOWS, SKYLIGHTS, & GLASS Life in Years
Glass & Glazing Materials
Window Glazing 10+
Windows
Aluminum/Aluminum Clad 15-20
Wood 30+ Some parts of the window may have to be replaced, so lifespan may vary.
Source: Polygal, Gallina USA, LLC, Allied Window
Source: Interceramicusa, United States Gypsum Co., Messmers Inc., DAP
Source: Paddock Pools, Patios & Spas, Boral Bricks, Accurate Tennis, Aquatic Technology, Huyser, Digger Specialties,
Inc., Aquatech Pools - Society of Professional Builders, Inyo Pool Products, Omega Pool Structures, Inc.