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

Source: Appliance Statistical Review, April 1990

Bathrooms

Life in years

Cast iron bathtubs

50

Fiberglass bathtub and showers

10-15

Shower doors, average quality

25

Toilets

50

Sources: Neil Kelly Designers, Thompson House of Kitchens and Bath

Cabinetry

Life in years

Kitchen cabinets

15-20

Medicine cabinets and bath vanities

20

Sources: Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, Neil Kelly Designers

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+

Sources: AFPAssociates of Western Plastics, Ceramic Tile Institute of America

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

Sources: Wayne Dalton Corporation, National Wood Window and Door Association, Raynor Garage Doors

Electrical

Life in years

Copper wiring, copper plated, copper clad aluminum, and bare copper

100+

Armored cable (BX)

Lifetime

Conduit

Lifetime

Source: Jesse Aronstein, Engineering Consultant

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+

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

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

Source: WR Grace and Company

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

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

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

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