A few years back, I wrote an article called "Building Blind," that exposed some major flaws in the way products are installed in new homes, with no regard for how one product limits the lifespan of another. For example, putting thin asphalt felt (tar paper) under clay roof tiles means you will have to remove those tiles when the paper fails in about 20 years, whereas the tiles might have lasted for centuries.
It's very tough to get real numbers regarding the expected lifespan of products, but back in 1997, the National Association of Home Builders published estimates of the most common products and systems in a home. The folks at Sunland Home Inspection in Arizona were kind enough to reprint them, and I've included the numbers below.
Some of these figures are no doubt anecdotal estimates. Many, in my view, are far too conservative. A cast iron tub, for example could easily last a couple of hundred years, whereas many poured foundations will not. Still, the list is informative, and food for thought.
APPLIANCE / LIFE SPAN (in years)
Compactor / 10 years
Dishwasher / 10 years
Garbage Disposer / 10 years
Dryer / 10 years
Freezer (compact) / 12 years
Freezer (standard) / 16 years
Microwave oven / 11 years
Range (freestanding and built-in, electric) / 17 years
Range (freestanding and built in, gas) / 19 years
Range (high oven, gas) / 14 years
Refrigerator (compact) / 14 years
Refrigerator (standard) / 17 years
Washer (automatic and compact) / 13 years
Exhaust fan / 20 years
BATHROOMS
Cast iron bathtub / 50 years
Fiberglass bathtub and shower / 10-15 years
Shower door (average quality) / 25 years
Toilet / 50 years
CABINETS
Kitchen cabinets / 15-20 years
Medicine cabinet/bath vanity / 20 years
COUNTERTOPS
Laminate / 10-15 years
Ceramic tile (high-grade installation) / Lifetime
Wood/butcher block / 20+ years
Granite / 20+ years
DOORS
Screen / 25-50 years
Interior (not perfect hollow core) / 30 years to life
Interior (solid core) / 30 years to life
Exterior (protected overhang) / 80-100 years
Exterior (unprotected and exposed) / 25-30 years
Folding / 30 years to life
Garage door / 20-50 years
Garage door opener / 10 years
FINISHES (Used for waterproofing)
Paint, plaster and stucco / 3-5 years
Sealer, silicone, and waxes / 1-5 years
FLOORS
Oak or pine / Lifetime
Slate flagstone / Lifetime
Vinyl sheet or tile / Minimum 20-30 years
Terrazzo / Lifetime
Carpeting / 11 years
Marble / Lifetime
FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS
Poured footing and foundation / 200 years
Concrete block / 100 years
Cement / 50 years
Waterproofing (bituminous coating) / 10 years
Termite proofing / 5 years
Baseboard system / 20 years
HEATING, VENTILATION AND AC
Air conditioning unit (central unit) / 15 years
Air conditioning unit (window unit) / 10 years
Humidifier / 8 years
Water heater (electric) / 14 years
Water heater (gas) / 11-13 years
Forced air furnace, heat pump / 15 years
Furnace, gas or oil fired / 18 years
HOME SECURITY APPLIANCES
Intrusion system / 14 years
Smoke detector / 12 years
Smoke/fire/intrusion system / 10 years
LANDSCAPING
Wooden deck / 15 years
Brick and concrete patio / 24 years
Tennis court / 10 years
Concrete walk / 24 years
Gravel walk / 4 years
Asphalt driveway / 10 years
Swimming pool / 18 years
Sprinkler system / 12 years
Fence / 12 years
PAINTS AND STAINS
Exterior paint-wood, brick and aluminum / 7-10 years
Interior wall paint / 5-10 years
Interior trim and door / 5-10 years
Interior wallpaper / 7 years
PLUMBING
Waste pipe (concrete) / 50-100 years
Waste pipe (cast iron) / 75-100 years
Sinks (enamel steel sink) / 5-10 years
Sinks (enamel cast iron sink) / 25-30 years
Sinks (porcelain sink) / 25-30 years
Faucets --low quality / 13-15 years
Faucets-- high quality / 15-20 years
ROOFING
Asphalt and wood shingles and shakes / 15-30 years
Tile / 50 years
Slate / 50-100 years
Sheet metal / 20-50 years
Built-up roofing (asphalt) / 12-25 years
Built-up roofing (coat and tar) / 12-30 years
Asphalt composition shingle / 15-30 years
Asphalt overlap / 25-35 years
SIDING
Gutters and downspouts / 30 years
Siding (wood) / 10-100 years
Siding (steel) / 50 years to life
Siding (aluminum) / 20-50 years
Siding (vinyl) / 50 years to life
WINDOWS
Window glazing / 20 years
Wood casement / 20-50 years
Aluminum casement / 10-20 years
Screen / 25-50 years
Component Costs
Roofing - Flashings - Chimneys
Install conventional asphalt shingles over existing shingles / $1.25 - $2 / sq. ft.
Strip and re-shingle with conventional shingles / $2 - $3 / sq. ft.
Strip and re-roof with cedar shingles / $5 - $7 per sq. ft.
Strip and replace built-up tar and gravel roof / $4 - $6 / sq. ft.
Strip and replace single-ply membrane / $4 - 6 / sq. ft.
Reflash typical chimney / $300 - $500
Reflash typical skylight / $300 - $500
Rebuild typical chimney above roof line / $100-$200 / lin. ft.
Repoint typical chimney above roof line / $20-$30 / row
Install galvanized or aluminum gutters and downspouts / $3 - $5 / lin. ft.
Soffits - Fascias - Repointing - Water Proofing
Install aluminum soffits and fascia / $8 - $12 / lin. ft.
Install aluminum or vinyl siding / $3 - $4.50 / sq. ft.
Veteran journalist Matt Power has reported on innovation and sustainability in housing for nearly three decades. An award-winning writer, editor, and filmmaker, he has a long history of asking hard questions and adding depth and context as he unfolds complex issues.
How Long Do the Parts of a House Last?
A few years back, I wrote an article called "Building Blind," that exposed some major flaws in the way products are installed in new homes, with no regard for how one product limits the lifespan of another. For example, putting thin asphalt felt (tar paper) under clay roof tiles means you will have to remove those tiles when the paper fails in about 20 years, whereas the tiles might have lasted for centuries.
It's very tough to get real numbers regarding the expected lifespan of products, but back in 1997, the National Association of Home Builders published estimates of the most common products and systems in a home. The folks at Sunland Home Inspection in Arizona were kind enough to reprint them, and I've included the numbers below.
Some of these figures are no doubt anecdotal estimates. Many, in my view, are far too conservative. A cast iron tub, for example could easily last a couple of hundred years, whereas many poured foundations will not. Still, the list is informative, and food for thought.
APPLIANCE / LIFE SPAN (in years)
BATHROOMS
CABINETS
COUNTERTOPS
DOORS
FINISHES (Used for waterproofing)
FLOORS
FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS
HEATING, VENTILATION AND AC
HOME SECURITY APPLIANCES
LANDSCAPING
PAINTS AND STAINS
PLUMBING
ROOFING
SIDING
WINDOWS
Component Costs
Roofing - Flashings - Chimneys
Soffits - Fascias - Repointing - Water Proofing
Garages - Decks - Retaining Walls - Foundation
Electric Repairs - Upgrades
Heating Systems - Air Conditioning
Insulation
Plumbing
Carpentry - Finish Work
Fireplaces - Stoves
By Matt Power, Editor-In-Chief
Veteran journalist Matt Power has reported on innovation and sustainability in housing for nearly three decades. An award-winning writer, editor, and filmmaker, he has a long history of asking hard questions and adding depth and context as he unfolds complex issues.