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Component Life Expectancies

Typical life expectancies for most components found in homes are listed below. These life expectancies have been determined through research and testing based on regular recommended maintenance and conditions of normal wear and tear, and not extreme weather (or other) conditions, neglect, over-use or abuse.  Therefore, they should be used as guidelines only, and not relied upon as guarantees or warranties. 

Surface preparation and paint quality are the most important determinants of a paint’s life expectancy. Ultraviolet (UV) rays via sunshine can shorten life expectancy.  Additionally, conditions of high humidity indoors or outdoors can affect the lifespan of these components, which is why they should be inspected and maintained seasonally.

 

ADHESIVES, CAULK & PAINTS	YEARS
Caulking (interior & exterior)	5 to 10
Construction Glue	20+
Paint (exterior)	7 to 10
Paint (interior)	10 to 15
Roofing Adhesives/Cements	15+
Sealants	8
Stains	3 to 8

 

 

Appliance life expectancy depends to a great extent on the use it receives. Furthermore, consumers often replace appliances long before they become worn out due to changes in styling, technology and consumer preferences.

 

APPLIANCES	YEARS
Air Conditioner (window)	5 to 7
Compactor (trash)	6
Dehumidifier	8
Dishwasher	9
Disposal (food waste)	12
Dryer Vent  (plastic)	5
Dryer Vent  (steel)	20
Dryer (clothes)	13
Exhaust Fans	10
Freezer	10 to 20
Gas Oven	10 to 18
Hand Dryer	10 to 12
Humidifier (portable)	8
Microwave Oven	9
Range/Oven Hood	14
Electric Range	13 to 15
Gas Range	15 to 17
Refrigerator	9 to 13
Swamp Cooler	5 to 15
Washing Machine	5 to 15
Whole-House Vacuum System	20

 

 

Modern kitchens today are larger and more elaborate.  Together with the family room, they now form the “great room.”

 

CABINETRY & STORAGE	YEARS
Bathroom Cabinets	50+
Closet Shelves	100+
Entertainment Center/Home Office	10
Garage/Laundry Cabinets	70+
Kitchen Cabinets	50
Medicine Cabinet	25+
Modular (stock manufacturing-type)	50

 

 

Walls and ceilings last the full lifespan of the home.

 

CEILINGS & WALLS	YEARS
Acoustical Tile Ceiling	40+ (older than 25 years may contain asbestos)
Ceramic Tile	70+
Concrete	75+
Gypsum	75
Wood Paneling	20 to 50
Suspended Ceiling	25+

 

 

Natural stone countertops, which are less expensive than they were just a few years ago, are becoming more popular, and one can expect them to last a lifetime. Cultured marble countertops have a shorter life expectancy, however.

 

COUNTERTOPS	YEARS
Concrete	50
Cultured Marble	20
Natural Stone	100+
Laminate	20 to 30
Resin	10+
Tile	100+
Wood	100+

 

 

Decks are exposed to a wide range of conditions in different climates, from wind and hail in some areas, to relatively consistent, dry weather in others. See FASTENERS & STEEL section for fasteners.

 

DECKS	YEARS
Deck Planks	15
Composite	8 to 25
Structural Wood	10 to 30

 

 

Exterior fiberglass, steel, and wood doors will last as long as the house, while vinyl and screen doors have a shorter life expectancy. The gaskets/weatherstripping of exterior doors may have to be replaced every 5 to 8 years.

 

DOORS	YEARS
Closet (interior)	100+
Fiberglass (exterior)	100+
Fire-Rated Steel (exterior)	100+
French (interior)	30 to 50
Screen (exterior)	30
Sliding Glass/Patio (exterior)	20 (for roller wheel/track repair/replacement)
Vinyl (exterior)	20
Wood (exterior)	100+
Wood (hollow-core interior)	20 to 30
Wood (solid-core interior)	30 to 100+

 

 

Copper-plated wiring, copper-clad aluminum, and bare copper wiring are expected to last a lifetime, whereas electrical accessories and lighting controls, such as dimmer switches, may need to be replaced after 10 years.  GFCIs could last 30 years, but much less if tripped regularly.

 

Remember that faulty, damaged or overloaded electrical circuits or equipment are the leading cause of house fires, so they should be inspected regularly and repaired or updated as needed.

 

ELECTRICAL	YEARS
Accessories	10+
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)	30
Bare Copper	100+
Bulbs (compact fluorescent)	8,000 to 10,000+ hours
Bulbs (halogen)	4,000 to 8,000+ hours
Bulbs (incandescent)	1,000 to 2,000+ hours
Bulbs (LED)	30,000 to 50,000+ hours
Copper-Clad Aluminum	100+
Copper-Plated	100+
Fixtures	40
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)	up to 30
Lighting Controls	30+
Residential Propane Backup Generators	12
Service Panel	60
Solar Panels	20 to 30
Solar System Batteries	3 to 12
Wind Turbine Generators	20

 

 

Floor and roof trusses and laminated strand lumber are durable household components, and engineered trim may last 30 years.

 

ENGINEERED LUMBER	YEARS
Engineered Joists	80+
Laminated Strand Lumber	100+
Laminated Veneer Lumber	80+
Trusses	100+

 

Fastener manufacturers do not give lifespans for their products because they vary too much based on where the fasteners are installed in a home, the materials in which they’re installed, and the local climate and environment.  However, inspectors can use the guidelines below to make educated judgments about the materials they inspect.

 

FASTENERS, CONNECTORS & STEEL	YEARS
Adjustable Steel Columns	50+
Fasteners (bright)	25 to 60
Fasteners (copper)	65 to 80+
Fasteners (galvanized)	10+
Fasteners (electro-galvanized)	15 to 45
Fasteners (hot-dipped galvanized)	35 to 60
Fasteners (stainless)	65 to 100+
Steel Beams	200+
Steel Columns	100+
Steel Plates	100+

 

 

Flooring life is dependent on maintenance and the amount of foot traffic the floor endures.

 

FLOORING	YEARS
All Wood Floors	100+
Bamboo	100+
Brick Pavers	100+
Carpet	8 to 10
Concrete	50+
Engineered Wood	50+
Exotic Wood	100+
Granite	100+
Laminate	15 to 25
Linoleum	25
Marble	100+
Other Domestic Wood	100+
Slate	100
Terrazzo	75+
Tile	75 to 100
Vinyl	25

 

 

Concrete and poured-block footings and foundations will last a lifetime, assuming they were properly built.  Waterproofing with bituminous coating lasts 10 years, but if it cracks, it is immediately damaged.

 

FOUNDATIONS	YEARS
Baseboard Waterproofing System	50
Bituminous-Coating Waterproofing	10
Concrete Block	100+
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)	100
Post and Pier	20 to 65
Post and Tensioned Slab on Grade	100+
Poured-Concrete Footings and Foundation	100+
Slab on Grade (concrete)	100
Wood Foundation	5 to 40
Permanent Wood Foundation (PWF; treated)	75

 

 

Framing and structural systems have extended longevities; poured-concrete systems, timber frame houses and structural insulated panels will all last a lifetime.

 

FRAMING	YEARS
Log	80 to 200
Poured-Concrete Systems	100+
Steel	100+
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)	100+
Timber Frame	100+

 

 

The quality and frequency of use will affect the longevity of garage doors and openers.

 

GARAGES	YEARS
Garage Doors	20 to 25
Garage Door Openers	10 to 15

 

 

Home technology systems have diverse life expectancies and may have to be upgraded due to evolution in technology.

 

HOME TECHNOLOGY	YEARS
Built-In Audio	20
Carbon Monoxide Detectors*	5
Door Bells	45
Home Automation System	5 to 50
Intercoms	20
Security System	5 to 20
Smoke/Heat Detectors*	less than 10
Wireless Home Networks	5+

* Batteries should be changed at least annually.

 

 

Thermostats may last 35 years but they are usually replaced before they fail due to technological improvements.

 

HVAC	YEARS
Air Conditioner (central)	7 to 15
Air Exchanger	15
Attic Fan	15 to 25
Boiler	40
Burner	10+
Ceiling Fan	5 to 10
Condenser	8 to 20
Dampers	20+
Dehumidifier	8
Diffusers, Grilles and Registers	25
Ducting	60 to 100
Electric Radiant Heater	40
Evaporator Cooler	15 to 25
Furnace	15 to 25
Gas Fireplace	15 to 25
Heat Exchanger	10 to 15
Heat Pump	10 to 15
Heat-Recovery Ventilator	20
Hot-Water and Steam-Radiant Boiler	40
Humidifier	12
Induction and Fan-Coil Units	10 to 15
Chimney Cap (concrete)	100+
Chimney Cap (metal)	10 to 20
Chimney Cap (mortar)	15
Chimney Flue Tile	40 to 120
Thermostats	35
Ventilator	7

 

 

As long as they are not punctured, cut or burned and are kept dry and away from UV rays, cellulose, fiberglass, and foam insulation materials will last a lifetime. This is true regardless of whether they were installed as loose-fill, house wrap or batts/rolls.

 

INSULATION & INFILTRATION BARRIERS	YEARS
Batts/Rolls	100+
Black Paper (felt paper)	15 to 30
Cellulose	100+
Fiberglass	100+
Foamboard	100+
Housewrap	80+
Liquid-Applied Membrane	50
Loose-Fill	100+
Rock Wool	100+
Wrap Tape	80+

 

 

Masonry is one of the most enduring household components. Fireplaces, chimneys and brick veneers can last the lifetime of a home.

 

MASONRY & CONCRETE	YEARS
Brick	100+
Insulated Concrete Forms (hybrid block)	100+
Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs)	100+
Man-Made Stone	25
Masonry Sealant	2 to 20
Stone	100+
Stucco/EIFS	50+
Veneer	100+

 

 

Custom millwork and stair parts will last a lifetime and are typically only upgraded for aesthetic reasons.

 

MOLDING, MILLWORK & TRIM	YEARS
Attic Stairs (pull-down)	50
Custom Millwork	100+
Pre-Built Stairs	100+