House Life Expectancy


When selecting materials to be used in the construction of your home you should keep in mind the average life expectancies of the materials selected. The actual life may be different depending on quality of material, usage and weather exposure.

Click on the BLUE links below to expand/minimize the outline and see all the bullet-point items.


Footings & Foundations

  • Poured footing and foundation - 200 years
  • Concrete Block - 100 years
  • Cement – 50 - 200 years
  • Waterproofing:
       bituminous coating - 10 years
       pargeting with ionite - 20-30 years
       termite proofing - 5 years
       baseboard system - 20 years

Rough Structure

  • Basement Floor System - life of structure
  • Framing - life of structure
  • Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) - life of structure
  • Engineered Lumber - life of structure
  • Trusses - life of structure
  • Timber Frame Homes - life of structure

Floors

  • Bamboo - life of structure
  • Carpet – 8-11 years
  • Concrete - 50+ years
  • Engineered Wood - 50+ years
  • Laminate - 15-25 years
  • Marble - 100+ years
  • Oak or Pine - life of structure
  • Slate Flagstone - life of structure
  • Tile - 75-100 years
  • Terrazzo - 75+ years
  • Vinyl sheet or tile - 20+ years

Siding

  • Gutters and Downspouts – 20-30 years
  • Copper - 50+ years
  • Siding:
       wood - 10-100 years
        (10 yrs if constantly wet, 100 if properly maintained)
       metal - 50-life of structure
       aluminum - 20-50 years
       vinyl - 50 years
       brick or rock - life of structure
  • Fiber Cement - life of structure
  • Manufactured Stone - life of structure
  • Stucco - 50-100 years

Walls & Treatments

  • Drywall and Plaster - 30-70 years
  • Ceramic Tile - life of structure

Paints & Stains

  • Exterior:
       Wood, Brick, and Aluminum - 7-10 years
  • Interior:
       Wall paint - 7-10 years
       Trim and door - 5-10 years
       Wallpaper - 7 years

Insulation

  • Foundation, Roof, Ceiling, Wall, and Floor – life of structure

Masonry

  • Chimney, Fireplace, and Brick Veneer - life of structure
  • Brick and Stone Walls - 100+ years
  • Stucco and Mantels – life of structure

Materials

  • Caulking for sealer - 8-10 years
  • Metal for coping - 20-40 years
  • Mortar for walls - 25+ years
  • Plastic for flashing - 25+ years

Millwork

  • Stairs - 50-100 years
  • Rails and Disappearing Stairs - 30-40 years

Doors

  • Screen - 25-50 years
  • Interior:
       Hollow core - 10-30 years
       Solid core wood - 30- life of structure
  • Exterior - 20-50 years
       Protected overhang - 80-100 years
       Unprotected - 25-30 years
  • Steel, Fire-Rated - life of structure
  • Vinyl – 20 years
  • Folding - 30- life of structure
  • Garage Door - 15-50 years
  • Garage Door Opener – 10-15 years

Windows

  • Window Glazing - 20 years
  • Wood Casement - 20-50 years
  • Aluminum Casement - 10-20 years
  • Screen - 25-50 years
  • Skylight – 15-20 years
  • Vinyl – 15-30 years

Shutters

  • Wood:
       Interior - life of structure
       Exterior - 4-5 years
  • Plastic - 7-8 years
  • Aluminum:
       Interior - 35-50 years
       Exterior - 3-5 years

Ceilings

  • Drywall and Plaster - 30-70 years
  • Suspension Ceiling - life of structure
  • Acoustical Ceiling - life of structure

Insulation

  • Cellulose, fiberglass and foam - life of structure
  • House Wrap - life of structure
  • Loose - life of structure

Roofing

  • Asphalt/Wood Shingles and Shakes dependent on environment - 15-30 years
  • Tile - 50 years
  • Slate - 50-100 years
  • Sheet Metal - 20-50+ years
  • Built Up Roofing:
       asphalt - 12-25 years
       coat and tar - 12-30 years
       asphalt composition - 15-30 years
       asphalt over lag - 25-30 years

Technology

  • Intrusion System - 14 years
  • Smoke Detector – 5-12 years
  • Smoke/Fire/Intrusion - 10 years
  • Wireless Network - 50 years
  • Built-in Audio – 20 years
  • Home Automation Systems - life of structure

Appliances

  • Compactor - 7 years
  • Dishwasher - 10 years
  • Disposal - 10 years
  • Dryer - 14 years
  • Freezer:
       compact - 12 years
       standard - 16 years
  • Microwave Oven - 10 years
  • Range:
       free standing electric - 17 years
       free standing gas - 15 years
       high oven, gas - 14 years
  • Range Hood - 14 years
  • Refrigerator:
       compact - 14 years
       standard - 17 years
  • Washer:
       automatic – 10-13 years
       compact – 10-13 years
  • Exhaust Fan - 20 years

Cabinetry

  • Kitchen Cabinets - 20-40 years
  • Bath Vanity - 20 years
  • Medicine Cabinets 20+ years
  • Closet Shelves - life of structure
  • Garage & Laundry - 100 years +

Countertops

  • Laminate - 10-15 years
  • Ceramic Tile high grade installation - life of structure
  • Wood/Butcher Block - 20+ years
  • Granite - 20+ years

Electrical

  • Copper wiring:
       copper plated - 100+ years
       copper clad aluminum - 100+ years
  • Bare copper - 100+ years
  • Insulation:
       armored cable (BX) - life of structure
       conduit - life of structure
  • Lighting Controls – 10+ years
  • Accessories – 10+ years

Heating, Ventilation, A/C

  • Air Conditioning Unit:
       central unit new units last longer – 15-20 years
       window unit - 10 years
  • Unit Compressor - 15 years
  • Humidifier Gateway recommends immediate disconnection - 8 years
  • Dehumidifier – 8 years
  • Water Heater: depends on quality of water and type of lining
       electric - 14 years
       gas - 11-13 years
  • Tankless Water Heater - 20 years
  • Forced Air Furnace, heat pump - 15 years
  • Duct Work:
       plastic - 15 years
       galvanized - 30 years
  • Rooftop Air Conditioner - 15 years
  • Boiler - 30 years
  • Gas Furnace - 18 years
  • Unit Heater, gas or electric - 13 years
  • Radiant Heater:
       electric - 15 years
       hot water or steam - 25 years
  • Air Terminals: diffuser, grill, or register - 27 years
  • Induction and Fan-coil units - 20 years
  • Damper - 20 years
  • Fan:
       centrifugal - 25 years
       axial - 20 years
       ventilating roof mounted - 20 years
  • Coils:
       DX, water or steam - 20 years
       electric - 15 years
  • Heat Exchanger - 24 years
  • Molded insulation - 20 years
  • Pump, Sump and Well - 10 years
  • Burner - 21 years
  • Thermostat – 8-25 years

Plumbing

  • Waste Pipe:
       concrete - 50-100 years
       cast iron - 50-100 years
       plastic - life of structure
  • Supply Line:
       galvanized - 50 years
       copper - 80+ years
  • Faucets:
       high quality - 15-20 years
       low quality - 13-15 years
  • Acrylic Sink - 50 years
  • Saunas/Steam Rooms - 15-20 years
  • Enamel Steel - 5-10 years
  • Soapstone - 100+years

Bathrooms

  • Cast Iron Bathtub - 50 years
  • Fiberglass Bathtub & Shower - 10-15 years
  • Shower Door – 20-25 years
  • Faucet – 20 years
  • Shower Head – 50 years
  • Toilet – 50-100 years
  • Jetted Tub – 20-50 years
  • Cast Iron Tub – 50 years

Landscaping

  • Wooden Deck - 8-20 years
  • Urethane Deck 15-30 years
  • Concrete Deck 20-30 years
  • Brick or Concrete Patio - 24 years
  • Tennis Court – 10-15 years
  • Concrete Walk - 24 years
  • Gravel Walk - 4 years
  • Asphalt Drive – 10-18 years
  • Swimming Pool – 18-25 years
  • Sprinkler System – 12-20 years
  • Fence - 12 years
  • Polyvinyl Fences - life of structure
  • Clay Paving - life of structure
  • Valves – 20 years
  • Controllers – 15 years
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