Life Expectancy of Housing Components
COMPONENT: LIFE IN YEARS:
APPLIANCES
Compactors 10
Dishwashers 10
Dryers 14
Disposal 10
Freezers:
Compact 12
Standard 16
Microwave ovens 11
Ranges:
Free standing and built-in, electric 17
Free standing and built-in, gas 19
High oven, gas 14
Refrigerators:
Compact 14
Standard 17
Washers 13
Exhaust fan 20
BATHROOMS
Cast iron bathtub 50
Fiberglass bathtub and shower 10-15
Shower doors (average quality) 25
Toilet 50
CABINETRY
Kitchen cabinets 15-20
Medicine cabinets/bath vanities 20
CEILINGS
Ceiling suspension 100+
Acoustical ceiling 100+
CLOSET SYSTEMS
Closet shelves 100+
COUNTERTOPS
Laminate 10-15
Ceramic tile (high-grade installation) 100+
Wood/butcher block 20+
Granite 20+
DOORS
Screen 25-50
Interior:
Hollow core Less than 30-life
Solid Corewood 30-life
Exterior:
Protected overhang 80-100
Unprotected and exposed 25-30
Folding 30-life
Garage doors 20-50
Garage door opener 10
ELECTRICAL
Copper Wiring 100+
Armored cable (BX) 100+
Conduit 100+
FINISHES
(Used for waterproofing)
Paint, plaster, and stucco 3-5
Sealer, silicone, and waxes 1-5
FLOORS
Oak or pine 100+
Slate flagstone 100+
Vinyl sheet or tile 20-30
Terrazzo 100+
Carpeting 11
Marble 100+
FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATION
Poured footings and foundations 200
Concrete block 100
Cement 50
Waterproofing
Bituminous coating 10
(If it cracks it is immediately damaged.)
Parging with ironite 20-30
(Its downfall is when it starts to crack.)
Termite proofing 5
(May have shorter life in damp climates.)
Baseboard system 20
HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING
Central Air conditioning unit 15
Window unit 10
Air conditioning compressor 15
Humidifier 8
Water Heater:
Electric 14
Gas 11-13
(Depends on lining, protection, and quality of water.)
Heat pumps (Forced air) 15
Plastic Duct Work 15
Galvanized Duct Work 30
Rooftop air conditioners 15
Boilers (Hot water, steam) 30
(A lot depends on quality of water.)
Furnaces (Gas or oil fired) 18
Unit heaters (Gas or electric) 13
Radiant heaters:
Electric 10
Hot water or steam 25
Diffusers, grilles, and registers 27
Induction and fan-coil 20
Dampers 20
Fans:
Centrifugal 25
Axial 20
Ventilating roof-mounted 20
Coils:
DX, water, or steam 20
Electric 15
Heat exchangers:
Shell-and-tube 24
Molded insulation 20
Pumps (sump and well) 10
Burners 21
HOME SECURITY
Intrusion systems 14
Smoke detectors 12
Smoke/fire/intrusions systems 10
INSULATION
Foundation, roof, ceiling, wall & floor 100+
LANDSCAPING
Wooden decks 15
Brick and concrete patios 24
Tennis courts 10
Concrete walks 24
Gravel walks 4
Asphalt driveway 10
Swimming pool 18
Sprinkler system 12
Fences 12
MASONRY
Chimney, fireplace, and brick veneer 100+
Brick and stone walls 100+
Stucco and mantels 100+
MATERIALS
Caulking (for sealer) 8-10
Metal (for coping) 20-40
Mortar (for walls) and plastic (for flashing) 25+
MILLWORK
Stairs 50-100
Rails and disappearing stairs 30-40
PAINTS AND STAINS
Exterior paint on wood, brick, and aluminum. 7-10
Interior:
Wall paint 5-10
Trim and door 5-10
Wallpaper 7
PLUMBING
Concrete Sewer 50-100
Cast iron Drain Pipe 75-100
Enamel steel sinks 5-10
Enamel cast iron sinks 25-30
China sinks 25-30
Low quality Faucet 13-15
High quality Faucet 15-20
ROOFING
Asphalt and wood shingles and shakes 15-30
Tile 50
(Depends on the quality, the design, and the climate.)
Slate 50-100
Depends on the grade.)
Sheet metal 20-50+
(Depends on the gauge of metal, quality of coating, and workmanship.)
Built-up roofing:
(Depends on materials, drainage, and coatings.)
Asphalt 12-25
Coal and tar 12-30
Asphalt composition shingle 15-30
Asphalt overlag 25-35
ROUGH STRUCTURE
Basement floor system 100+
Framing (exterior and interior walls) 100+
SHUTTERS
Wood:
Interior 100+
Exterior 4-5
Aluminum:
Interior 35-50
Exterior 3-5
Plastic (Vinyl) Exterior 7-8
SIDING
Gutters and downspouts 30
Siding:
Wood 10-100
(10 years if constantly moistened, to 100 years if properly maintained.)
Metal (steel) 50-life
Aluminum 20-50
Vinyl 50
WALLS AND WINDOW TREATMENTS
Drywall and plaster 30-70
Ceramic tile (high grade installation) 100+
WINDOWS
Window glazing 20
Wood casement 20-50
Aluminum casement 10-20
Screen 25-50
(The National Association of Home Builders “NAHB” conducted a comprehensive survey of manufacturers, trade associations, and researchers involved in building material products to develop information about the longevity of housing components. Numbers are averages based on products that are properly installed and maintained. What NAHB has learned can help you manage your home. In brief, use quality materials, install them properly and follow a regular maintenance schedule.)