Life Expectancies of Components

The below listing is a sampling of life expectancies for different products and materials used in homes, as listed in a report titled "1997 Housing Facts, Figures and Trends" published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Washington, D.C.

REMEMBER these life expectancies are approximate and other factors both good and bad will affect the actual life expectancy of the component.

APPLIANCES

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 Fans - 20 years.

BATHROOM FIXTURES

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
Terrazzo - Lifetime
Carpeting - 11 years
Marble - Lifetime

FOOTINGS & FOUNDATIONS

Poured footing & foundation - 200 years.
Concrete block - 100 years.
Cement - 50 years.
Waterproofing (bituminous coating) - 10 years.
Termite proofing - 5 years.

HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING

Air conditioning unit (central) - 15 years.
Air conditioning unit (window) - 10 years.
Baseboard heat units - 20 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 & STAINS

Exterior paint on wood, brick and aluminum - 7-10 years.
Interior wall paint - 5-10 years.
Interior trim and door paint - 5-10 years.
Interior wallpaper - 7 years.

PLUMBING

Faucets (low quality) - 13-15 years.
Faucets (high quality) 15-20 years.
Sinks (enamel steel sink) - 5-10 years.
Sinks (enamel cast iron sink) - 25-30 years.
Sinks (Porcelain sink) - 25-30 years.
Waste pipe (concrete) - 50-100 years.
Waste pipe (cast iron) - 75-100 years.

ROOFING

Asphalt and wood shingles and shakes - 15-30 years.
Asphalt composition shingle - 15-30 years.
Asphalt overlag - 25-35 years.
Built-up roofing (asphalt) - 12-25 years.
Built-up roofing (coat and tar) - 12-30 years.
Gutters and downspouts - 30 years.
Slate - 50-100 years.
Sheet metal - 20-50 years.
Tile - 50 years.

SIDING

Aluminum Siding - 20-50 years.
Steel Siding - 50 years to Life.
Vinyl Siding - 50 years.
Wood Siding - 10 - 100 years.

WINDOWS

Aluminum casement - 10-20 years.
Screens - 25 - 50 years.
Window glazing - 20 years.
Wood casement - 20-50 years.